Jim Backus

actor • writer • soundtrack

Jim Backus (1913–1989) was a radio, television, film, and voice actor. Among his most famous credits are The Alan Young Radio Show, I Married Joan, Gilligan's Island, and Rebel Without a Cause. He also starred on his own show The Jim Backus Show.

Born: February 25, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Died: July 3, 1989 (age 76)

View on IMDb →Streaming Sources for all Jim Backus →

Known For

7.4

Gilligan's Island

Movies & TV Credits

233 total credits across film and television

Title	Rating	Job	Role(s)	Year
Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom Movie	7.6	Actor	Pat Quaid (archive footage)	2012
Rebel Without a Cause: Defiant Innocents Movie	—	Actor	Himself (uncredited)	2005
Los Angeles Plays Itself Movie	7.9	Actor	Frank Stark in Rebel Without A Cause (archive footage)	2004
Hollywood's Hidden Secrets Movie	—	Actor	Self	1987
The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show TV Show	7.6	Actor	—(261 Episodes)	1986
Prince Jack Movie	6.3	Actor	Dealy	1985
Slapstick of Another Kind Movie	2.3	Actor	President of the U.S.	1982
Gilligan's Planet TV Show	5.8	Actor	Thurston Howell, III (voice)(13 Episodes)	1982
Enchanted Journey Movie	6.9	Actor	Gamba	1981
The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island Movie	4.1	Actor	Thurston Howell III	1981
There Goes The Bride Movie	3.1	Actor	Mr. Perkins	1980
The Gossip Columnist Movie	6.5	Actor	Jim Backus	1980
Angels' Brigade Movie	2.5	Actor	Cmdr. Lindsey March	1979
C.H.O.M.P.S. Movie	4.7	Actor	Mr. Gibbs	1979
Eischied TV Show	7.3	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1979
Sweepstakes TV Show	5.7	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1979
The Castaways on Gilligan's Island Movie	5.2	Actor	Thurston Howell III	1979
The Rebels Limited Series	6.1	Actor	John Hancock	1979
Good Guys Wear Black Movie	5.3	Actor	Albert, the Doorman	1978
Flying High TV Show	6.3	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1978
Rescue from Gilligan's Island Movie	5.5	Actor	Thurston Howell III	1978
Pete's Dragon Movie	6.4	Actor	The Mayor	1977
What's New, Mr. Magoo? TV Show	6.6	Actor	—(32 Episodes)	1977
CHiPs TV Show	6.7	Actor	Weitzman(1 Episode)	1977
The Love Boat TV Show	6.4	Actor	Mr. Landers(1 Episode)	1977
The Love Boat TV Show	6.4	Actor	Marvin Waterman(1 Episode)	1977
Fantasy Island TV Show	6.7	Actor	Cap Truman(1 Episode)	1977
Have I Got a Christmas for You Movie	6.9	Actor	Kevin Grady	1977
Never Con a Killer Movie	7.1	Actor	Stanley Bunch	1977
Charlie's Angels TV Show	6.7	Actor	Iggy(2 Episodes)	1976
Crazy Mama Movie	5.2	Actor	Mr. Albertson	1975
Friday Foster Movie	6.2	Actor	Enos Griffith	1975
Ellery Queen TV Show	8.1	Actor	Howard Biggers(1 Episode)	1975
Joe Forrester TV Show	7.2	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1975
Mobile One TV Show	6.0	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1975
Cop on the Beat Movie	6.4	Actor	Jake Mandel	1975
Goodnight Jackie Movie	6.0	Actor	Mr. Landry	1974
Chico and the Man TV Show	6.6	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1974
Kolchak: The Night Stalker TV Show	8.2	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1974
The New Adventures of Gilligan TV Show	6.2	Actor	Thurston Howell III (voice)(32 Episodes)	1974
Mooch Movie	4.4	Actor	Jim Backus	1974
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus Movie	6.9	Actor	Narrator / Santa Claus (voice)	1974
Mooch Movie	4.4	Writing	Writer	1974
Police Story TV Show	7.3	Actor	—(3 Episodes)	1973
Harry O TV Show	7.3	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1973
The Girl Most Likely to... Movie	7.1	Actor	Prof. David Tilson	1973
Miracle on 34th Street Movie	5.6	Actor	Shellhammer	1973
Now You See Him, Now You Don't Movie	6.4	Actor	Timothy Forsythe	1972
Getting Away from It All Movie	5.8	Actor	Mike Lorimar	1972
Of Thee I Sing Movie	6.3	Actor	Senator Robert F. Lyons	1972
Magic Carpet Movie	8.0	Actor	George Benson	1972
Alias Smith and Jones TV Show	7.4	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1971
The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County Movie	6.0	Actor	Staunch	1970
Myra Breckinridge Movie	4.7	Actor	Doctor	1970
Nanny and the Professor TV Show	6.9	Actor	Dr. Charles Walters(1 Episode)	1970
Hollywood Magoo Movie	7.3	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1970
Hello Down There Movie	5.4	Actor	T.R. Hollister	1969
The Brady Bunch TV Show	6.7	Actor	—(3 Episodes)	1969
Medical Center TV Show	6.9	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1969
The Barbara McNair Show TV Show	8.0	Actor	Self(1 Episode)	1969
Marcus Welby, M.D. TV Show	6.8	Actor	Bill(1 Episode)	1969
Love, American Style TV Show	6.6	Actor	Jerry Franks(2 Episodes)	1969
Wake Me When the War Is Over Movie	5.1	Actor	Colonel	1969
Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? Movie	5.6	Actor	Tru-Blue Lou	1968
Blondie TV Show	6.5	Actor	—(14 Episodes)	1968
The Good Guys TV Show	6.7	Actor	—(3 Episodes)	1968
Mod Squad TV Show	6.9	Actor	Emile Wade(1 Episode)	1968
Hurry Sundown Movie	6.0	Actor	Carter Sillens	1967
Don't Make Waves Movie	5.7	Actor	Self (uncredited)	1967
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In TV Show	7.8	Actor	Self(2 Episodes)	1967
Accidental Family TV Show	6.4	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1967
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour TV Show	7.8	Actor	Self(1 Episode)	1967
Damn Yankees! Movie	6.8	Actor	Benny Van Buren	1967
Continental Showcase TV Show	—	Actor	Self - Host(14 Episodes)	1966
Billie Movie	5.5	Actor	Howard G. Carol	1965
Fluffy Movie	5.7	Actor	Sergeant	1965
John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! Movie	4.8	Actor	Whitepaper	1965
I Dream of Jeannie TV Show	7.6	Actor	General Fitzhugh(1 Episode)	1965
The Wild Wild West TV Show	7.9	Actor	Fabian Swanson(1 Episode)	1965
Advance to the Rear Movie	5.7	Actor	Gen. Willoughby	1964
Mr. Magoo, Man of Mystery Movie	—	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1964
Mr. Magoo in Sherwood Forest Movie	7.4	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1964
Gilligan's Island TV Show	7.3	Actor	Thurston Howell, III(98 Episodes)	1964
The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo TV Show	7.0	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)(29 Episodes)	1964
Daniel Boone TV Show	7.1	Actor	Will Scataway(1 Episode)	1964
Rendezvous in Space Short Film	6.2	Actor	Moon (voice)	1964
Critic's Choice Movie	5.5	Actor	Dr. William Von Hagedorn	1963
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Movie	7.4	Actor	Tyler Fitzgerald	1963
Johnny Cool Movie	6.2	Actor	Louis Murphy	1963
Sunday in New York Movie	6.8	Actor	Chief Pilot Drysdale	1963
The Wheeler Dealers Movie	6.6	Actor	Bullard Bear	1963
My Six Loves Movie	6.3	Actor	Sheriff	1963
Operation Bikini Movie	3.6	Actor	Bosun's Mate Ed Fennelly	1963
A Child Is Waiting Movie	7.0	Actor	Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited)	1963
Arrest and Trial TV Show	7.4	Actor	Sam Thayer(1 Episode)	1963
Burke's Law TV Show	7.1	Actor	Herkimer Witt(1 Episode)	1963
Burke's Law TV Show	7.1	Actor	Pork Pie Hannigan(1 Episode)	1963
Burke's Law TV Show	7.1	Actor	Harold Mason(1 Episode)	1963
Boys' Night Out Movie	6.4	Actor	Peter Bowers	1962
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm Movie	6.2	Actor	The King (segment "The Dancing Princess")	1962
Zotz! Movie	5.7	Actor	Prof. Horatio Kellgore	1962
The Horizontal Lieutenant Movie	5.6	Actor	Cmdr. Jeremiah Hammerslag	1962
The Merv Griffin Show TV Show	6.4	Actor	Self(3 Episodes)	1962
The Beverly Hillbillies TV Show	7.1	Actor	Marty Van Ransohoff(1 Episode)	1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson TV Show	8.3	Actor	Self(4 Episodes)	1962
Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol Movie	7.4	Actor	Mr. Quincy Magoo / Ebenezer Scrooge (voice)	1962
Magoo Meets Frankenstein Movie	—	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1961
The Dick Powell Theatre TV Show	7.2	Actor	Monte(1 Episode)	1961
Cain's Hundred TV Show	7.5	Actor	Karl Bigger(1 Episode)	1961
The Mike Douglas Show TV Show	6.9	Actor	Self - Co-Host(5 Episodes)	1961
The Mike Douglas Show TV Show	6.9	Actor	Self(10 Episodes)	1961
Ice Palace Movie	5.9	Actor	Dave Husack	1960
Tom, Dick and Harriet Movie	—	Actor	James	1960
Mister Magoo TV Show	6.2	Actor	Mr Magoo(130 Episodes)	1960
The Jim Backus Show TV Show	7.3	Actor	—(39 Episodes)	1960
Inside Magoo Short Film	6.3	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice) / Self	1960
I Was a Teenage Magoo Short Film	5.8	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1960
1001 Arabian Nights Movie	5.9	Actor	Uncle Abdul Azziz Magoo (voice)	1959
A Private's Affair Movie	5.1	Actor	Jim Gordon	1959
Ask Any Girl Movie	6.2	Actor	Mr. Maxwell	1959
The Wild and the Innocent Movie	6.5	Actor	Mr. Forbes	1959
The Big Operator Movie	6.2	Actor	Cliff Heldon	1959
The Untouchables TV Show	7.8	Actor	William Norbert(1 Episode)	1959
Terror Faces Magoo Short Film	6.0	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1959
Magoo's Lodge Brother Short Film	6.0	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1959
Merry Minstrel Magoo Short Film	5.9	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1959
Magoo's Homecoming Short Film	6.2	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1959
Bwana Magoo Short Film	6.3	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1959
Magoo Meets Boing Boing (The Noise-Making Boy) Short Film	7.0	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1959
A Princess for Magoo Movie	—	Actor	Narrator	1959
Macabre Movie	5.6	Actor	Sheriff Jim Tyloe	1958
The High Cost of Loving Movie	6.3	Actor	Paul Mason	1958
77 Sunset Strip TV Show	7.5	Actor	Maury Samuels(1 Episode)	1958
Magoo's Young Manhood Short Film	5.9	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1958
Gumshoe Magoo Short Film	6.3	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1958
Magoo's Cruise Short Film	6.2	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1958
The Explosive Mr. Magoo Short Film	6.3	Actor	Mr Magoo (voice)	1958
Love Comes to Magoo Short Film	6.2	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1958
Magoo's Three-Point Landing Short Film	6.0	Actor	Mr. Magoo / Air Traffic Controller / Sully (voice)	1958
Scoutmaster Magoo Short Film	6.2	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1958
Man of a Thousand Faces Movie	6.9	Actor	Clarence Locan	1957
Top Secret Affair Movie	6.0	Actor	Col. Homer W. Gooch	1957
Eighteen and Anxious Movie	6.9	Actor	Harvey Graham	1957
Maverick TV Show	7.8	Actor	Joe Wheelwright(1 Episode)	1957
The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar TV Show	8.1	Actor	Self(8 Episodes)	1957
Magoo Saves the Bank Short Film	6.8	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
Magoo's Masquerade Short Film	5.7	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
Matador Magoo Short Film	6.5	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
Rock-Hound Magoo Short Film	6.4	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
Magoo's Private War Short Film	5.9	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
Magoo Goes Overboard Short Film	6.4	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
Magoo Breaks Par Short Film	6.7	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
Magoo's Moose Hunt Short Film	7.2	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1957
The Pied Piper of Hamelin Movie	5.5	Actor	King's Emissary	1957
The Opposite Sex Movie	6.0	Actor	Psychiatrist	1956
Meet Me in Las Vegas Movie	5.9	Actor	Tom Culdane	1956
You Can't Run Away from It Movie	5.7	Actor	Danker	1956
The Great Man Movie	6.7	Actor	Nick Cellantano	1956
The Girl He Left Behind Movie	5.0	Actor	Sgt. Hanna	1956
The Naked Hills Movie	5.3	Actor	Willis Haver	1956
The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna TV Show	7.6	Actor	Arthur Hutchins(1 Episode)	1956
Calling Doctor Magoo Short Film	6.3	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1956
Magoo Goes West Short Film	5.9	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1956
Magoo Beats the Heat Short Film	6.4	Actor	Mr. Magoo(voice)	1956
Magoo's Canine Mutiny Short Film	6.6	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1956
Magoo's Problem Child Short Film	6.6	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1956
Trailblazer Magoo Short Film	6.3	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1956
Meet Mother Magoo Short Film	6.8	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1956
Magoo's Puddle Jumper Short Film	5.2	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1956
Francis in the Navy Movie	5.5	Actor	Commander Hutch	1955
Rebel Without a Cause Movie	7.8	Actor	Frank Stark	1955
The Square Jungle Movie	6.3	Actor	Pat Quaid	1955
Matinee Theatre TV Show	6.5	Actor	—(1 Episode)	1955
Gunsmoke TV Show	7.9	Actor	Reverend Sims(1 Episode)	1955
The Millionaire TV Show	7.6	Actor	Henry Banning(1 Episode)	1955
Magoo Express Short Film	6.9	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1955
Madcap Magoo Short Film	6.2	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1955
Magoo Makes News Short Film	6.5	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1955
Deep in My Heart Movie	6.1	Actor	Ben Judson	1954
Geraldine Movie	5.9	Actor	Jason Ambrose	1954
Climax! TV Show	6.3	Actor	Detective Herman(1 Episode)	1954
The George Gobel Show TV Show	7.4	Actor	Self(1 Episode)	1954
When Magoo Flew Short Film	6.1	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1954
Destination Magoo Short Film	6.5	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1954
Destination Magoo Short Film	6.5	Writing	Story	1954
Above and Beyond Movie	6.7	Actor	Gen. Curtis E. LeMay	1953
Angel Face Movie	7.3	Actor	District Attorney Judson	1953
I Love Melvin Movie	6.3	Actor	Mergo	1953
Androcles and the Lion Movie	5.8	Actor	Centurion	1952
Deadline - U.S.A. Movie	7.1	Actor	Jim Cleary	1952
Don't Bother to Knock Movie	7.0	Actor	Peter Jones	1952
Here Come the Nelsons Movie	6.3	Actor	Joe Randolph	1952
Pat and Mike Movie	6.7	Actor	Charles Barry	1952
The Rose Bowl Story Movie	5.2	Actor	Michael "Iron Mike" Burke	1952
I Married Joan TV Show	7.5	Actor	Judge Bradley Stevens(98 Episodes)	1952
Hotsy Footsy Short Film	6.7	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1952
Pink and Blue Blues Short Film	5.5	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1952
Bright Victory Movie	7.1	Actor	Bill Grayson	1951
Half Angel Movie	5.7	Actor	Michael Hogan	1951
His Kind of Woman Movie	6.8	Actor	Myron Winton	1951
Hollywood Story Movie	6.6	Actor	Mitch Davis	1951
I Want You Movie	6.3	Actor	Harvey Landrum	1951
I'll See You in My Dreams Movie	6.5	Actor	Sam Harris	1951
Iron Man Movie	6.0	Actor	Max Watkins	1951
M Movie	6.7	Actor	The Mayor	1951
The Man with a Cloak Movie	6.4	Actor	Flaherty	1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame TV Show	7.9	Actor	Kevin Grady(1 Episode)	1951
Plutopia Short Film	6.4	Actor	Milton the Cat	1951
Fuddy Duddy Buddy Short Film	6.8	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1951
Grizzly Golfer Short Film	6.4	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1951
Bungled Bungalow Short Film	6.5	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1951
Barefaced Flatfoot Short Film	6.6	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1951
The Killer That Stalked New York Movie	6.2	Actor	Willie Dennis (uncredited)	1950
Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town Movie	6.5	Actor	Joseph "Little Joe" Rogers	1950
Emergency Wedding Movie	5.5	Actor	Ed Hamley	1950
Customs Agent Movie	6.2	Actor	Shanghai Chief Agent Thomas Jacoby	1950
What's My Line? TV Show	8.3	Actor	Self - Panelist(4 Episodes)	1950
The Colgate Comedy Hour TV Show	7.5	Actor	Self(1 Episode)	1950
Robert Montgomery Presents TV Show	7.4	Actor	Lucus Edgerton(1 Episode)	1950
Lux Video Theatre TV Show	7.1	Actor	Harry(1 Episode)	1950
Spellbound Hound Short Film	6.3	Actor	Mr. Magoo	1950
Trouble Indemnity Short Film	6.0	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1950
The Popcorn Story Short Film	6.2	Actor	Narrator	1950
Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy Movie	7.1	Actor	Magistrate Backus	1950
A Dangerous Profession Movie	5.8	Actor	Police Lt. Nick Ferrone / Narrator (voice)	1949
Father Was a Fullback Movie	6.2	Actor	Professor Sullivan	1949
One Last Fling Movie	4.8	Actor	Howard Pritchard	1949
Easy Living Movie	6.1	Actor	Dr. Franklin	1949
The Great Lover Movie	6.2	Actor	Higgins	1949
Ragtime Bear Short Film	6.5	Actor	Mr. Magoo (voice)	1949
Studio One TV Show	7.3	Actor	Tim McTaggart(2 Episodes)	1948
A-Lad-in His Lamp Short Film	7.1	Actor	Smokey the Genie (voice) (uncredited)	1948
Where Will You Hide? Short Film	7.8	Actor	Narrator	1948

Jim Backus

Known For

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Pete's Dragon

Rebel Without a Cause

Gilligan's Island

Movies & TV Credits