John Jay Hooker, Jr. was an American politician and lawyer who is best known for his various candidacies for governor of Tennessee and his close relationship with Robert F. Kennedy.
Personal and Family Life
John Jay Hooker was born on August 24, 1930, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the son of John Jay Hooker, Sr., a prominent attorney. Hooker graduated from the University of the South and later attended Vanderbilt University Law School, where he became a lawyer in 1957. He was married to Eugenia ‘Tish’ Ford from 1959 to 1975, and they had three children together. He remarried television journalist Paula Lovell in 1976, with whom he had one child before their divorce.
Political Career
Hooker had a notable political career, starting when he became a special assistant to Robert F. Kennedy in 1961. He ran for governor of Tennessee multiple times, facing defeats in both the 1966 and 1970 elections. Despite his challenges, he continued to advocate for causes he believed in and ran as an independent candidate for governor in 2014. His final years were marked by a focus on the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in Tennessee as he battled cancer.
Death and Legacy
John Jay Hooker passed away from cancer on January 24, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 85. His legacy includes his persistent political efforts and his work on issues he felt passionately about, despite facing numerous electoral setbacks. Hooker’s life and career reflect a commitment to public service and advocacy.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James | John Phillips |