Where To Watch
Jim Backus became an actor to escape Ohio
"I didn't know how to do anything," said the Gilligan's Island actor.
Jim Backus was a talented comedic actor, but that didn’t mean that he necessarily welcomed his reputation as a “funny man” in Hollywood.
While plenty of actors embrace their comedic inclinations, Backus wasn’t willing to let laughter define him. The actor’s motivation for becoming an actor was simple; he was looking to escape his hometown. “I just got into it because I didn’t know how to do anything,” said Backus during an interview with the Herald and Review. “I became an actor, too, because I wanted the hell out of Cleveland, Ohio.”
Despite these straightforward beginnings, Backus would never have made it in Hollywood if he weren’t incredibly talented. A star of stage and screen, the actor had previously starred in comedies like Gilligan’s Island and Mr. Magoo, but he had also demonstrated prowess in more dramatic works. “I get really bothered with people who think that the only things I’ve done are Mr. Magoo and Gilligan’s Island,” Backus said. “I’m a dramatic actor too, and I’ve done over 80 non-comic movies.”
In fact, it seemed the Backus felt a bit suffocated by the level of fame he had achieved in comedies. Though making people laugh made him famous, he was interested in meatier roles that he felt only dramatic programming could provide.
“I feel sometimes that I’ve painted myself into a financial corner,” said the actor. It’s been good money, but it’s still a corner. I want to do some pictures, good, solid, dramatic parts.”
Related
