Kearns in real life - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

boeltere · 11-03-2003, 11:38 AM

Hello forum. Am curious if anyone knows much about Kearn's life outside of the show? His acting bio is readily available but am curious if he was married, children, etc.

Some of you may know he was an avid organist:
http://atos.stirlingprop.com/kbase/JoeKearns/kearns.htm

And a picture of his grave is available here:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...e=gr&GRid=5434

maniaguy6 · 11-04-2003, 10:07 PM

I had always wondered about the same thing, so I went to the local library and searched back issues of the New York Times. One article that I found was written in Feb. 1962, which discussed his death. I didn't print it out, but I remember is saying that he was survived by his mother and a sister. It didn't say anything about wife and kids, etc. Perhaps that information was just not included in there, so it is possible that he may have been married..who knows. It would be interesting to know more about his personal life. If anyone has information, send it along.

Charlie Chan · 01-19-2004, 05:23 PM

I know he was a staple on old time radio shows and that's about it.

He seemed like such an unpleasant character on screen. He probably was a nice guy in real life.

The imdb doesn't list anything about a family. He very well could have been what used to be called a "confirmed bachelor".

Samme · 01-21-2004, 04:14 AM

I suspect that confirmed bachelor
more or less summed it up. He
may have avoided interviews for
just that reason. And has anyone
ever noticed the way he sometimes
held his arms when walking? It
was just curious. And yet I also
want to say I liked him very
much in the role. He was a fine
actor and really the star of the
show. This old fuddy duddy being
bothered by some noisy kid is
very easy to identify with. They
should have done promos promoting
him as the star of the show. The
coin collecting, and everything,
I love that character. Kearns
did a fantasic job. Don't you
think?

Charlie Chan · 01-22-2004, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Samme
Kearns
did a fantasic job. Don't you
think?

Yes! He was able to play the fuddy duddy/grump without actually being annoying to watch. That's a rare trick. In my opinion, the show lost something when he passed away.

Hazel Anyday · 08-24-2004, 05:10 PM

I don't know anything about Joe Kearns personal background. But I do know he was a very heavily employed old time radio show actor. He was the original "Man In Black" host on the Suspense radio show. He also played many roles in many dramatic, western, and comedy radio series. He was the original Man in the Vault, the vault guard for Jack Benny in his radio shows. He played on Gunsmoke radio shows, many other dramatic CBS radio shows. He is a very omnipresent voice on radio shows from the '40's and '50's. Often you wouldn't even guess it was Joseph Kearns unless you listen very closely. He also played in several radio shows WITH the other Mr. Wilson, Gale Gordon. It's neat to hear both Mr. Wilsons in one show. Joe Kearns was a very succcessful CBS radio actor. He also played the psychiatrist in an I Love Lucy episode. He was a great actor and a real shame that he died so relatively young.

Bob's TV Treasures · 09-14-2004, 10:10 PM

Joe Kearns also co-starred with another future star, Barbara Billingsley in the short-lived 1955 sitcom "Professional Father" as well.

1Doug1 · 11-06-2007, 12:00 PM

I agree! He was a great character actor and played the likeable grouch to a tee. The show sure went down hill real fast after he died.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Chan

Yes! He was able to play the fuddy duddy/grump without actually being annoying to watch. That's a rare trick. In my opinion, the show lost something when he passed away.

tv star collector · 11-06-2007, 12:47 PM

He was also on the radio version of THE LIFE OF RILEY starring William Bendix.
And he appeared in The Three Stooges' unsold TV pilot "Jerks of All Trades"
(filmed in 1947).

11-03-2003, 11:38 AM	#1
boeltere Member First Time Poster Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: washington, dc Posts: 1	Kearns in real life Hello forum. Am curious if anyone knows much about Kearn's life outside of the show? His acting bio is readily available but am curious if he was married, children, etc. Some of you may know he was an avid organist: http://atos.stirlingprop.com/kbase/JoeKearns/kearns.htm And a picture of his grave is available here: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...e=gr&GRid=5434

01-19-2004, 05:23 PM	#3
Charlie Chan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 19, 2004 Posts: 114	I know he was a staple on old time radio shows and that's about it. He seemed like such an unpleasant character on screen. He probably was a nice guy in real life. The imdb doesn't list anything about a family. He very well could have been what used to be called a "confirmed bachelor".
	__________________ Thank You So Much

08-24-2004, 05:10 PM	#6
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	I don't know anything about Joe Kearns personal background. But I do know he was a very heavily employed old time radio show actor. He was the original "Man In Black" host on the Suspense radio show. He also played many roles in many dramatic, western, and comedy radio series. He was the original Man in the Vault, the vault guard for Jack Benny in his radio shows. He played on Gunsmoke radio shows, many other dramatic CBS radio shows. He is a very omnipresent voice on radio shows from the '40's and '50's. Often you wouldn't even guess it was Joseph Kearns unless you listen very closely. He also played in several radio shows WITH the other Mr. Wilson, Gale Gordon. It's neat to hear both Mr. Wilsons in one show. Joe Kearns was a very succcessful CBS radio actor. He also played the psychiatrist in an I Love Lucy episode. He was a great actor and a real shame that he died so relatively young.
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

09-14-2004, 10:10 PM	#7
Bob's TV Treasures Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 12, 2004 Location: california Posts: 529	Kearns Joe Kearns also co-starred with another future star, Barbara Billingsley in the short-lived 1955 sitcom "Professional Father" as well.

11-04-2003, 10:07 PM	#2
maniaguy6 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 04, 2003 Posts: 26	I had always wondered about the same thing, so I went to the local library and searched back issues of the New York Times. One article that I found was written in Feb. 1962, which discussed his death. I didn't print it out, but I remember is saying that he was survived by his mother and a sister. It didn't say anything about wife and kids, etc. Perhaps that information was just not included in there, so it is possible that he may have been married..who knows. It would be interesting to know more about his personal life. If anyone has information, send it along.

01-21-2004, 04:14 AM	#4
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 676	I suspect that confirmed bachelor more or less summed it up. He may have avoided interviews for just that reason. And has anyone ever noticed the way he sometimes held his arms when walking? It was just curious. And yet I also want to say I liked him very much in the role. He was a fine actor and really the star of the show. This old fuddy duddy being bothered by some noisy kid is very easy to identify with. They should have done promos promoting him as the star of the show. The coin collecting, and everything, I love that character. Kearns did a fantasic job. Don't you think?

11-06-2007, 12:47 PM	#9
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	He was also on the radio version of THE LIFE OF RILEY starring William Bendix. And he appeared in The Three Stooges' unsold TV pilot "Jerks of All Trades" (filmed in 1947).