Biography for
Jack Cassidy (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

5 March 1927, Richmond Hill, New York, USA

Date of Death

12 December 1976, West Hollywood, California, USA (fire)

Birth Name

John Joseph Edward Cassidy

Spouse

Shirley Jones	(5 August 1956 - 1974) (divorced) 3 children
Evelyn Ward	(28 June 1948 - 1956) (divorced) 1 child

Trivia

One of the most Tony-nominated musical actors in Broadway history.

Received help entering show business from a family member who was a contortionist in the circus.

He died when his couch caught fire after he fell asleep on it with a lit cigarette.

Turned down the role of Ted Baxter on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970), but did guest star as Ted Baxter's brother.

Worked as a bell hop, counterman, dishwasher, chauffer, clothing salesman, postal clerk, hotel clerk, stable boy, coal and ice truck handler before getting his big break.

His idol was John Barrymore, whom he played in W.C. Fields and Me (1976).

While researching his Irish ancestry, he discovered his family's crest. He had 6 gold pinky rings made bearing the crest, and gave one to each of his 4 sons and one to his brother. His own ring helped authorities identify his remains. It was later stolen from his son Patrick's house.

Wrote a play, "A Waltz for Willie Ryan".

Father of David Cassidy, Shaun Cassidy, Ryan Cassidy and Patrick Cassidy.

Won Broadway's 1964 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for "She Loves Me." This was followed with three other Tony nominations: in the same category in 1965 for "Fade Out -- Fade In," and as Best Actor (Musical) in 1966 for "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman!" and in 1969 for "Maggie Flynn."

On June 24, 2005, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced he would receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for live theatre.

The 4th floor penthouse where he died is located at 1221 North Kings Road, West Hollywood.

Portrayed by Malcolm McDowell in The David Cassidy Story (2000) (TV).

He was nominated for a 1976 Joseph Jefferson Award for Director of a Play for "Wait Until Dark" at the Drury Lane Theatre North in Chicago, Illinois.

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z