Disney films star Dean Jones dies at 84
Dean Jones, known for Disney films such as “The Love Bug” and its sequel “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo,” has died at 84. He died due to complications from Parkinson’s disease on Tuesday.
Jones’ publicist Richard Hoffman confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly.
The actor’s long association with The Walt Disney Co. started when it praised Jones’ work on the TV sitcom “Ensign O’Toole" for its “good closing sequences,” Associated Press reported (via ABC News).
Disney called him again two years later, offering him the film “That Darn Cat!.” He was cast opposite Hayley Mills.
After his back-to-back successes, Jones appeared in several films, including Elvis Presley starrer musical drama film “Jailhouse Rock” that released in 1957. During 1960s and 1970s, he starred in mainstream comedies such as “That Darn Cat!,” “The Love Bug” and “The Shaggy D.A.”
According to ABC News, his film “The Love Bug” in 1969 was his most successful film. Jones played a struggling race-car driver who after acquiring a Volkswagen ends up winning many races.
His other other films include “Under the Yum-Yum Tree,” “The Million Dollar Duck,” “Snowball Express” and “Beethoven.” He also starred in five Broadway shows. Some of these are “There Was a Little Girl,” “Under the Yum-Yum Tree” and “Company.” He appeared in a total of 46 films.
In 1995, Jones was inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame.
Jones was born on Jan. 25, 1931 in Decatur, Alabama. He began his career as a radio host. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and later in 1953, he attended Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
He was married to writer Lory Basham Jones. In addition to his wife, Jones leaves behind three children, Caroline Jones, Deanna Demaree and Michael Pastick.
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.