Joe Kirkwood Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as the comic strip boxer Joe Palooka in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Born Reginald Thomas Kirkwood on May 30, 1920, in Melbourne, Australia, he became a notable figure in films and television.
Personal and Family Life
Joe Kirkwood Jr. was the second son of professional golfer Joe Kirkwood. His family moved to the United States, where he grew up and excelled in various sports. He was married to Cathy Downs from 1949 until their divorce in 1955, and later he married Joyce Ann Woltz in 1980, with whom he had been living since 1958.
Career
Kirkwood gained fame through his portrayal of Joe Palooka, appearing in a series of films from 1946 to 1951. He also had a TV series titled “The Joe Palooka Story” in 1954. Despite his initial success, he focused more on his golf career and later became an entrepreneur, investing in golf-related businesses in California.
Death and Legacy
Joe Kirkwood Jr. passed away on September 7, 2006, in Hesperia, California, due to complications from a pulmonary disease. He is remembered for his iconic role as Joe Palooka and for his contributions to film and sports.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Marriage-Go-Round | 1961-01-06 | Henry ‘Doc’ Granger |
| Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey | 1950-02-05 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance | 1950-06-04 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in the Squared Circle | 1950-11-04 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in Triple Cross | 1951-09-16 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka, Champ | 1946-05-26 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad | 1948-02-07 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in Winner Take All | 1948-09-19 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch | 1949-08-14 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in the Knockout | 1947-09-20 | Joe Palooka |
| Gentleman Joe Palooka | 1946-10-05 | Joe Palooka |
| Joe Palooka in the Big Fight | 1949-03-06 | Joe Palooka |
| The Joe Palooka Story | 1954-01-01 | Joe Palooka |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self |