Jackson Gillis 1916-2010, Writer for "Columbo", "Perry Mason", Etc... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-24-2010, 02:45 AM

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Jackson Clark Gillis died peacefully on August 19, 2010 two days shy of his 94th birthday.

Jackson was born in Kalama, Washington, in 1916, the second of three sons of Marjorie Lyman and Ridgway Gillis, an engineer with the Washington Highway Department. In his early teens the family moved to California where Jackson attended Sacramento High School and later, Fresno State and Stanford Universities. Following graduation from Stanford, he became an actor with Westminster Theater in London, and later with Barter Theater in Virginia. There he met and married his wife of 62 years, actress Patricia Cassidy.

During World War II, Jackson served as an intelligence officer for the 184th Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division in the Pacific; he left the army as Lieutenant Colonel. After the war he moved to Los Angeles with his family and began a long, successful career as a writer, first for radio, then television.

His screen credits include episodes of "Lassie," "Superman," "Spin and Marty," "I Spy," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Lost in Space," "Perry Mason" (for which he was also associate producer), and "Columbo," which earned him an Emmy nomination. He also wrote two detective novels set in the Pacific Northwest. Jackson retired in the early ‘90s, and moved to Moscow, Idaho, with Patricia to be close to their daughter and grandson. He was an accomplished pianist and artist, and treasured his time in the Sierras at the cabin his family built in 1935.

Jackson was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lyman Gillis, and his wife Patricia. He is survived by his brother, William Gillis; his daughter Candida Gillis; and grandson, Jackson Gillis Ludwig. No memorial is planned. Contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or Hospice of the Palouse.

Arrangements were entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel, Moscow, ID, and online condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.

catlover79 · 08-24-2010, 11:01 AM

Marvo301 · 08-24-2010, 04:42 PM

Jackson Gillis

Rezny@gmail.com · 08-24-2010, 05:58 PM

I liked Jackson Gillis' "Perry Mason"episodes,and it's too bad he never did any of the "Perry Mason"movies NBC did with an older Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale(who else?)in the 1980's and 1990's,up until Raymond Burr's death.He also worked with Raymond Burr AGAIN on "Ironside"

08-24-2010, 02:45 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,381	Jackson Gillis 1916-2010, Writer for "Columbo", "Perry Mason", Etc... Link Jackson Clark Gillis died peacefully on August 19, 2010 two days shy of his 94th birthday. Jackson was born in Kalama, Washington, in 1916, the second of three sons of Marjorie Lyman and Ridgway Gillis, an engineer with the Washington Highway Department. In his early teens the family moved to California where Jackson attended Sacramento High School and later, Fresno State and Stanford Universities. Following graduation from Stanford, he became an actor with Westminster Theater in London, and later with Barter Theater in Virginia. There he met and married his wife of 62 years, actress Patricia Cassidy. During World War II, Jackson served as an intelligence officer for the 184th Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division in the Pacific; he left the army as Lieutenant Colonel. After the war he moved to Los Angeles with his family and began a long, successful career as a writer, first for radio, then television. His screen credits include episodes of "Lassie," "Superman," "Spin and Marty," "I Spy," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Lost in Space," "Perry Mason" (for which he was also associate producer), and "Columbo," which earned him an Emmy nomination. He also wrote two detective novels set in the Pacific Northwest. Jackson retired in the early ‘90s, and moved to Moscow, Idaho, with Patricia to be close to their daughter and grandson. He was an accomplished pianist and artist, and treasured his time in the Sierras at the cabin his family built in 1935. Jackson was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lyman Gillis, and his wife Patricia. He is survived by his brother, William Gillis; his daughter Candida Gillis; and grandson, Jackson Gillis Ludwig. No memorial is planned. Contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or Hospice of the Palouse. Arrangements were entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel, Moscow, ID, and online condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

08-24-2010, 11:01 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-24-2010, 04:42 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Jackson Gillis
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

08-24-2010, 05:58 PM	#4
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	I liked Jackson Gillis' "Perry Mason"episodes,and it's too bad he never did any of the "Perry Mason"movies NBC did with an older Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale(who else?)in the 1980's and 1990's,up until Raymond Burr's death.He also worked with Raymond Burr AGAIN on "Ironside"