Jonathan Hale was a Canadian-American actor who is best known for his roles in the “Blondie” film series, particularly as J.C. Dithers, and his appearances in over 260 movies and television shows. He had a rich career in film and television, contributing significantly to the industry.
Personal and Family Life
Jonathan Hale was born Jonathan Hatley on March 21, 1891, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was married to Hester Hyde from January 20, 1920, until his death in 1966, and they had three sons together: Jonathan, Arthur, and Peter. Hale also had two children from a previous marriage. Prior to his acting career, he served in the diplomatic service, which helped him portray a variety of authority figures on screen.
Death and Legacy
Hale’s life came to a tragic end on February 28, 1966, when he died by suicide in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. At the time of his death, he was struggling with health and personal problems, which led to deep despondency. His legacy lives on through his performances as a character actor in both film and television, particularly his memorable role in the “Blondie” series.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Blondie Meets the Boss | 1939-03-08 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie Goes Latin | 1941-02-27 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie | 1938-11-30 | Mr. Dithers |
| Blondie Goes to College | 1942-01-15 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie’s Blessed Event | 1942-04-09 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie Brings Up Baby | 1939-11-08 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie in Society | 1941-07-17 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie Has Servant Trouble | 1940-07-25 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie Plays Cupid | 1940-10-31 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie for Victory | 1942-08-06 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie’s Lucky Day | 1946-04-04 | J.C. Dithers |
| It’s a Great Life | 1943-05-27 | J.C. Dithers |
| Leave It to Blondie | 1945-02-22 | J.C. Dithers |
| Footlight Glamour | 1943-09-30 | J.C. Dithers |
| Blondie Knows Best | 1946-10-17 | J.C. Dithers |
| Life with Blondie | 1945-12-13 | J.C. Dithers |
| Hangmen Also Die! | 1943-04-15 | Dedic |