Gordon Jones (born in Alden, Hardin County, Iowa on April 5, 1912) could well be described as a comic/character actor. He is also an important comic sidekick - somewhat over looked - in the history of B westerns.

Jones graduated from UCLA in 1933. He played guard and tackle on the football team as well as track and field. Various newspaper reports tag him with a football nickname of "Bull". And some sources mention that Jones was a football All American, but that doesn't appear to be a truism.

He broke into films doing bit parts in the early 1930s. He landed a meaty role in the Eddie Cantor picture STRIKE ME PINK (Goldwyn/UA, 1936) which led directly to a contract at RKO from 1935 - 1938 where he was cast in a variety of B pictures, including two as the lead. RKO observed that while Mr. Jones could play light comedy roles from friendly pals to outright slap-stick buffoons, he was not a leading man type such as a James Stewart. However, he was loaned out to Grand National for the lead role in a horse racing comedy THE LONG SHOT (Grand National, 1939) before his contract ended. At the end of his RKO contract, Jones began free-lancing at both the major and Poverty Row studios such as MGM, Republic, Columbia and others doing a varied list of roles and bit parts. He was cast - against type - as "Britt Reid" in THE GREEN HORNET (Universal, 1940) cliffhanger at Universal Pictures. This was followed by the lead role of a rookie policeman in I TAKE THIS OATH (PRC, 1940) for low budget producer Sig Neufeld at Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC).

Jones was just starting to hit his stride in John Wayne's film FLYING TIGERS (Republic, 1942) and others, and hit a huge mark in the role of "The Ramblin' Wreck From Georgia Tech" in the comedy MY SISTER EILEEN (Columbia, 1942), before going off to duty in World War II. Jones had portrayed "the wreck" in the 1940 Broadway stage production of MY SISTER EILEEN.

After World War II Army service, Jones scored a comic bulls-eye as an outrageous parody of a western villain in the Danny Kaye film THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (Goldwyn, 1947), followed by the Abbott and Costello western send-up THE WISTFUL WIDOW OF WAGON GAP (Universal, 1947), and then the role of a comedic villain "Happy Keegan" in the Columbia Cinecolor B+ "horse and bull" western THE UNTAMED BREED (Columbia, 1948) starring Sonny Tufts, Gabby Hayes and Edgar Buchanan. He also had featured roles in a number of other films in 1948 and 1949.

After making BELLE OF OLD MEXICO (Republic, 1950) with Robert Rockwell and Estelita Rodriguez (a splashy, Trucolor musical-comedy), Jones was signed to play Rex Allen's sidekick "I. Q. Barton" in Rex's first picture, ARIZONA COWBOY (Republic, 1950). Republic decided to move Jones into the sidekick spot in six Roy Rogers films for the 1950 - 1951 season. Four were shot in Trucolor and the last two, with lower budgets, in black and white. He played a character named "Splinters McGonigle" and transitioned into Roy's helper in TRIGGER JR. (Pat Brady's role as "Sparrow Biffle" was dropped following this film). Then came five more pairings of Jones with Roy: SUNSET IN THE WEST, NORTH OF THE GREAT DIVIDE, the guest-star filled TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD, SPOILERS OF THE PLAINS and HEART OF THE ROCKIES. All were well received and popular films. Herbert J. Yates, Republic Studios head, wanted more of Roy's adventures. But before Yates finalized a deal with Roy for three more films, Jones was gone. (Pinky Lee came on as Roy's sidekick in his final three Republic adventures.)

Jones did several for producer Lindsley Parsons at Monogram - he worked with Roddy McDowell in a pair, BLACK MIDNIGHT (Monogram, 1949) and BIG TIMBER (Monogram, 1950), and with Wayne Morris in YELLOW FIN (Monogram, 1951). There were other roles - including his recurring "Mike the Cop" on the Abbott and Costello's TV series, THE RAY MILLAND / MEET MR. McNULTY show on TV and radio, and several feature films including Gene Autry's WAGON TEAM (Columbia, 1952). Mr. Jones last true sidekick role was as cavalry "Pvt. Wilbur Clegg" in SHOOT-OUT AT MEDICINE BEND (Warner Brothers, 1957) which starred Randolph Scott and included early screen work for two future stars, James Garner and Angie Dickinson.

Throughout the remainder of the 1950s and into the 1960s, Jones worked steadily in films and as an A list guest on many episodic TV shows from PERRY MASON to GUNSMOKE and everything in between. His final film role was in John Wayne's western-comedy McLINTOCK! (Batjac/UA, 1963) which was filmed shortly before his death on June 20, 1963.

The June 21, 1963 Los Angeles Times had coverage of his passing - "Body of Gordon (Bull) Jones, 51, UCLA football and track star in 1930-31-32, was discovered at his home ... in Tarzana, where he lived alone. He apparently had died of a heart attack Wednesday.".

As to wife and family, Gordon tied the knot with Los Angeles socialite Lucile Van Winkle in 1935, but the marriage was brief and they had no children.

Ye Old Corral webmaster did some additional research on Gordon Jones. Information below is from Family Search, trade publications, newspapers,, death certificate, and California Death Index:

• Iowa birth record (not the birth certificate) - Gordon W. Jones was born April 5, 1912 in Alden, Iowa and his father was Paul W. Jones: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4XH-KJN
• 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Denver, Colorado were 48 year old Paul W. Jones (born Michigan), his 47 year old wife Lucy (born Michigan), 13 year old son Paul L. (born Ohio), 10 year old daughter Donna M. (born Montana), and 7 year old son Gordon W. (born Iowa). Occupation of father Paul was "Minister - Congregational Church": https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX2D-2ZZ
• 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting in National City, San Diego County, California were 58 year old Paul W. Jones (born Michigan), his 57 year old wife Lucy A. (born Michigan), 24 year old son Paul L. (born Ohio), and 18 year old son Gordon W. (born Iowa). Occupation of father Paul was "Pastor - Congregational Church"; no occupation listed for Gordon: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XC6X-2Z4
• December 19, 1930 National City, California Star-News had article on Sweetwater High School alum and UCLA guard Gordon Jones was given honorable mention in a mythical All American selelction: https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-city-star-news-sweetwater-high/160404897/
• October 30, 1931 Oakland Tribune has a super size photo of guard Gordon Jones and other members of the 1931 UCLA football team: https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-super-size-photo-of-guar/160405615/
• Photo of football guard Gordon Jones in the 1933 UCLA Yearbook at the Internet Archive. He's a "graduating senior" and shown in bottom left corner of this page: https://archive.org/details/southerncampus1933univ/page/258/mode/1up
• March 8, 1935 National City, California Star-News article about Gordon Jones signing a contract with RKO: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NCSN19350308.2.13&srpos=29&e=------193-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22gordon+jones%22-------#
• Jones married Los Angeles socialite Lucile Van Winkle on October 30, 1935 and the October 31, 1935 issue of Film Daily had the news - headline: "Gordon Jones Weds Society Girl." ; "... was married yesterday to Lucille [sic] Van Winkle, prominent in Los Angeles society. Among the ushers were Richard Arlen and Harvey Stephens."
• October 30, 1935 Los Angeles County marriage license of Lucille Van Winkle and Gordon W. Jones (occupation "Actor - Motion Pictures"):
  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-466M?mode=g&i=308&wc=96PT-C66%3A149406801%3Fcc%3D1804002&cc=1804002
  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-46DN?mode=g&i=309&wc=96PT-C66%3A149406801%3Fcc%3D1804002&cc=1804002
• October 30-31, 1935 Los Angeles Times newspaper has photos of newly married Gordon Jones and Lucile Van Winkle:
  https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz002dh6gx
  https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz002dh6hf
• 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - 27 year old Gordon W. Jones (born Iowa) was single, completed four years of college, and was renting in Los Angeles. Occupation was "Actor - Moving Picture Studio", and in 1939, he worked 12 weeks and earned $5000.00+: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9C2-VJ9
• June and July, 1942 issues of Variety listed Gordon Jones entering the Army for War II military service. Fan magazines and tradepapers from 1943-1945 noted that Army Captain, later Major, Gordon Jones was in charge of Entertainment Services and located in Tehran, Persia. His duties included coordinating USO troupe visits, one of which was a tour by Jack Benny.
• 1950 census summary and census takers worksheet - 37 year old Gordon Jones (born Iowa; divorced; no occupation listed) is living alone in Los Angeles. Couldn't read the street address: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XG7-B8SB
• Death notice in the June 21, 1963 Los Angeles Times - "Body of Gordon (Bull) Jones, 51, UCLA football and track star in 1930-31-32, was discovered at his home ... in Tarzana, where he lived alone. He apparently had died of a heart attack Wednesday.": https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-death-notice-for-g/160397707/
• Death notice in the June 27, 1963 Chula Vista, California Star-News noted that "Jones, a football, basketball and track star at Sweetwater High School and later an all-American guard in football at UCLA ...": https://www.newspapers.com/article/chula-vista-star-news-death-notice-for-a/160397235/
• June 23, 1963 Los Angeles Times newspaper had a funeral notice which listed about two dozen Honorary Pallbearers which included actors Sam Flint, Dick Foran, Jack Oakie and Mickey Rooney. Pierce Brothers Valhalla was the funeral director: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-funeral-announceme/160397524/
• Death certificate: 51 year old Gordon Wynnivo Jones was born April 5, 1912 in Iowa. Parents were Paul Jones and Lucy Naylor (both born in Michigan). He was divorced; a World War II veteran; and occupation was "Actor - Joey Bishop Show - Television". He was found dead around 10:30 p.m. on June 20, 1963 at his home at 5024 Otis Avenue, Tarzana, Los Angeles County, California. Funeral director was Pierce Brothers Valhalla and cremation at Chapel of the Pines. An autopsy was performed and the coroner signed the death certificate on August 14, 1963 - cause of death was "UNDETERMINED" with a notation of "Probable natural".
• California Death Index mirrors the death certificate - Gordon W. Jones was born 4/5/1912, Mother's maiden name of Naylor, and he passed away on 6/20/1963: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP4H-CP5

(Photo courtesy of Dale Crawford & Jim Sorensen)

Find A Grave website notes that Jones is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11550/gordon-jones

 Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Gordon Jones: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428160/

The Internet Broadway Database credits Gordon Jones as "the Wreck" in the early 1940s New York stage production of MY SISTER EILEEN. As noted above, Jones also essayed that same role (as "The Ramblin' Wreck From Georgia Tech") in the film version of MY SISTER EILEEN (Columbia, 1942). The Broadway database is at: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/my-sister-eileen-1047#OpeningNightCast

Playbill Vault has the playbill for Jones in MY SISTER EILEEN at the Biltmore Theater in New York City in 1940. This link should open on "Who's Who in the Cast" page with Jones as "The Wreck": https://assets.playbill.com/playbill-inside/1a4797ea3fc64b594314b66b90563fc6-My-Sister-Eileen-02-41-5.jpg

J. David Goldin's RadioGoldIndex website has Gordon Jones in several 1953 - 1954 MEET MR. MCNUTLEY radio programs. When you get to the site, click "Start Here", then select "Search By Artist", then select J, then scroll down for Gordon Jones radio credits: https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/

Gordon Jones has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: https://walkoffame.com/gordon-jones/

Many of us old timers remember Jones as "Mike the cop" in nearly three dozen Abbott and Costello television programs. He also appeared in about twenty episodes of MEET MR. McNULTY / THE RAY MILLAND SHOW. Another of his semi-recurring roles was portraying "Butch Barton" on THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET TV show. Following is a link to the O&H program. Scroll about 2/3 of the way down that webpage and you'll find a screen capture showing Jones with Parley Baer and Frank Cady: http://www.incredibletvandmovies.com/nelsons.html

Jones is NOT listed as a UCLA Hall of Famer in any sport: https://uclabruins.com/honors/hall-of-fame/sport

No Gordon Jones in the football All American selections for 1931 - 1934. Possibility is that UCLA submitted him as a candidate, but he didn't make the final cut:
1931: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1931_College_Football_All-America_Team
1932: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1932_College_Football_All-America_Team
1933: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933_College_Football_All-America_Team
1934: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1934_College_Football_All-America_Team