Joseph Kearns

Joseph Kearns (born February 12, 1907; died February 17, 1962) was an American actor, who is best remembered for his role as Mr. Wilson in the popular 1960's television series Dennis the Menace (US).

Related Topics:
February 12 - 1907 - February 17 - 1962 - American - Dennis the Menace (US)

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Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, his family moved to California when he was very young. He went to college at the University of Utah, where he earned his tuition by teaching a course in theatrical makeup. Kearns started out in radio and theatre as a pipe organist, and later; even built his Hollywood home around a pipe organ.

Related Topics:
University of Utah - Pipe organ

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He began his acting career in radio in the 1940s in the shows The Adventures of Sam Spade, Burns and Allen, Silver Theater, and Suspense amongst many others.

Related Topics:
The Adventures of Sam Spade - Burns and Allen - Silver Theater - Suspense

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Joseph's (uncredited) film debut was as the voice of an angel in It's a Wonderful Life (1946). He made his onscreen film debut in Hard, Fast and Beautiful (1951). He was the voice of the Doorknob in Disney's animated Alice in Wonderland (1951). Kearns then appeared in several other movies; his final film was Anatomy of a Murder (1959).

Related Topics:
Angel - It's a Wonderful Life - Hard, Fast and Beautiful - Alice in Wonderland - Anatomy of a Murder

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His television series debut came in Our Miss Brooks (1953-55) as Superintendent Stone. But he is most famously remembered as the ever-suffering neighbor Mr. Wilson in Dennis the Menace (1959-62), which was based on the popular comic strip by Hank Ketchum.

Related Topics:
Our Miss Brooks - Dennis the Menace - Hank Ketchum

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Tragically, Joseph died in the middle of the third season of 'Dennis from a cerebral hemorrhage, only five days after his 55th birthday.

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