John Arthur Doucette (January 21, 1921 â€" August 16, 1994) was an
American character actor who performed in more than 280 film and
television productions between 1941 and 1987. A man of stocky build
who possessed a deep, rich voice, he proved equally adept at
portraying characters in Shakespearean plays as well as in Westerns
and in modern crime dramas. He is perhaps best remembered, however,
for his villainous roles as a movie and television "tough guy".John
Doucette was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, the eldest of three
children of Nellie S. (née Bishop) and Arthur J. Doucette. During his
childhood, his family moved frequently as his father sought work
during the Great Depression. He completed grammar school in Haverhill,
Massachusetts; graduated from Lincoln High School in Los Angeles,
California; and later, in April 1943, he enlisted in the United States
Army and served in Europe as an infantry rifleman during World War II.
With regard to Doucette's early experience and training as an actor,
he began to perform on stage at the age of 15 in plays at his high
school. He subsequently performed at the Pasadena Playhouse before
being cast in Hollywood films in the early 1940s.Doucette's film
debut, in an uncredited role as a reporter, in Footsteps in the Dark
in 1941. He appeared uncredited in at least two other movies before
his budding film career was interrupted by his military service during
World War II. Following his discharge, he resumed acting in Hollywood,
where he soon began to receive more substantial, credited roles in
releases by smaller production companies, such as The Burning Cross
and The Road to the Big House for Somerset Pictures Corporation in
1947. Doucette continued to progress in obtaining dramatic roles for
larger studios, including a small part as an architect in The
Fountainhead in 1949 and in the 1970 epic Patton when he portrays 3rd
Infantry Division Commander Major General Lucian K. Truscott. His
other notable performances include bit parts in High Noon, The Robe,
Sierra, and the mega-budget Cleopatra. More familiarly, Doucette also
appears in the John Wayne films The Sea Chase, The Sons of Katie
Elder, True Grit, and Big Jake.Many baby boomers first saw Doucette as
the bad guy on television in several episodes of The Lone Ranger.
Performing as an outlaw proved to be a natural role for him,
considering his rough looks, commanding presence, and skill with a
gun. He was considered by many to be among the fastest draws in
Hollywood. His roles, however, went well beyond that stereotype. He
appeared on a variety of television shows, including The Time Tunnel,
Racket Squad, The Range Rider, The Roy Rogers Show, The Fugitive, The
Adventures of Kit Carson, The Cisco Kid, City Detective, Annie Oakley,
The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial, My Friend Flicka, Sky King, The
Californians, Broken Arrow, The People's Choice, Sheriff of Cochise,
Bat Masterson, Behind Closed Doors, The Texan, Lawman, The Everglades,
Mackenzie's Raiders, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West, The Virginian, Have
Gun - Will Travel, Kung Fu, The Rat Patrol, Hogan's Heroes, Adventures
of Superman, Sea Hunt, Science Fiction Theatre, Walt Disney Presents,
and Tales of Wells Fargo.
American character actor who performed in more than 280 film and
television productions between 1941 and 1987. A man of stocky build
who possessed a deep, rich voice, he proved equally adept at
portraying characters in Shakespearean plays as well as in Westerns
and in modern crime dramas. He is perhaps best remembered, however,
for his villainous roles as a movie and television "tough guy".John
Doucette was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, the eldest of three
children of Nellie S. (née Bishop) and Arthur J. Doucette. During his
childhood, his family moved frequently as his father sought work
during the Great Depression. He completed grammar school in Haverhill,
Massachusetts; graduated from Lincoln High School in Los Angeles,
California; and later, in April 1943, he enlisted in the United States
Army and served in Europe as an infantry rifleman during World War II.
With regard to Doucette's early experience and training as an actor,
he began to perform on stage at the age of 15 in plays at his high
school. He subsequently performed at the Pasadena Playhouse before
being cast in Hollywood films in the early 1940s.Doucette's film
debut, in an uncredited role as a reporter, in Footsteps in the Dark
in 1941. He appeared uncredited in at least two other movies before
his budding film career was interrupted by his military service during
World War II. Following his discharge, he resumed acting in Hollywood,
where he soon began to receive more substantial, credited roles in
releases by smaller production companies, such as The Burning Cross
and The Road to the Big House for Somerset Pictures Corporation in
1947. Doucette continued to progress in obtaining dramatic roles for
larger studios, including a small part as an architect in The
Fountainhead in 1949 and in the 1970 epic Patton when he portrays 3rd
Infantry Division Commander Major General Lucian K. Truscott. His
other notable performances include bit parts in High Noon, The Robe,
Sierra, and the mega-budget Cleopatra. More familiarly, Doucette also
appears in the John Wayne films The Sea Chase, The Sons of Katie
Elder, True Grit, and Big Jake.Many baby boomers first saw Doucette as
the bad guy on television in several episodes of The Lone Ranger.
Performing as an outlaw proved to be a natural role for him,
considering his rough looks, commanding presence, and skill with a
gun. He was considered by many to be among the fastest draws in
Hollywood. His roles, however, went well beyond that stereotype. He
appeared on a variety of television shows, including The Time Tunnel,
Racket Squad, The Range Rider, The Roy Rogers Show, The Fugitive, The
Adventures of Kit Carson, The Cisco Kid, City Detective, Annie Oakley,
The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial, My Friend Flicka, Sky King, The
Californians, Broken Arrow, The People's Choice, Sheriff of Cochise,
Bat Masterson, Behind Closed Doors, The Texan, Lawman, The Everglades,
Mackenzie's Raiders, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West, The Virginian, Have
Gun - Will Travel, Kung Fu, The Rat Patrol, Hogan's Heroes, Adventures
of Superman, Sea Hunt, Science Fiction Theatre, Walt Disney Presents,
and Tales of Wells Fargo.
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