Joseph Kearns was an American actor who is best known for Dennis the Menace, Alice in Wonderland, and Anatomy of a Murder.
Personal and Family Life
Joseph Kearns was born on February 12, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had no children, and his mother’s name was Cordelia M. Kearns (Peterson). Kearns also built his home around a pipe organ, showcasing his deep love for music.
Career
Kearns had a diverse career in entertainment. Before becoming famous on radio and television, he was a theatrical and old-time radio pipe organist. He gained recognition for his role as Professor Moriarty opposite Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes on the radio. He is best known as the original Mr. Wilson in the Dennis the Menace TV series, a role he was famous for until his passing.
Death and Legacy
Joseph Kearns died on February 17, 1962, in Los Angeles, California, due to a cerebral hemorrhage. His performance as Mr. Wilson made a significant impact on television, and after his death, he was replaced by Gale Gordon, who played a relative of Mr. Wilson. Kearns is remembered fondly for his contributions to classic television and radio.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Alice in Wonderland | 1951-07-28 | Doorknob (voice) |
| Storm Center | 1956-07-31 | Mr. Morrisey |
| Jerks of All Trades | 1949-11-15 | Pressure-cooker salesman from Punxatawney, Pa |
| Anatomy of a Murder | 1959-01-07 | Lloyd Burke |
| Our Miss Brooks | 1956-04-24 | Mr. Stone |
| The Gift of Love | 1958-02-11 | Mr. Rynicker |
| Hard, Fast and Beautiful | 1951-05-23 | J.R. Carpenter |
| The Girl Most Likely | 1958-02-05 | Mr. Schlom, Bank Manager |
| Dennis the Menace | 1959-10-04 | George Wilson |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Mr. Langley |