Henry Kulky, Veteran Actor, Wrestler, Dies
Funeral services were pending Saturday for Henry (Hank) Kulky, veteran actor and wrestler "best known for his role as Navy Chief Max Bronsky in the "Hennesey" television series.
The 53-year-old actor collapsed of an apparent heart attack in Oceanside Friday night while studying a script for his newest role in the TV series, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." He died en route to Oceanside Hospital.
Kulky. who made more than 500 motion picture and television, appearances in a 19-year acting career, bragged that he never took a dramatic lesson in his life. "I learned enough emoting during my 7,000 wrestling matches," Kulky loved to tell his friends.
Started as Boxer
Thomas C. Andress, manager of the Anglers Club in Oceanside and a personal. friend, was with Kulky when he was stricken. "We were talking, about old times in a booth the rear of the club when Hank just stood up, coughed couple of times, and collapsed," Andress told The Times.
The hulking actor was born in Hastings-on-the-Hud- son, New York, Aug. 11, 1911, and turned boxer in his teens. He fought only six bouts and then became wrestling teacher at a pri vate club.
Promoter Stanislaus Zbysko saw him, whisked him off to Argentina in 1939 and gave him the ring name of "Bomber Kulkavich." Kulky won 172 matches, lost three and became judo champion of South America.
He met all the top matmen of his day, including then world champion Lou Thesz and former heavyweight boxing champ-turned-wrestler Primo Camera. Then, in 1946, fellow wrestler, Mike Mazurki, got Kulky his first movie 'role with James Stewart in "Call Northside 777,"
In 1950, he quit wrestling forever. Kulky spent five years with the late William Bendix in the Life of Riley TV series, was Jackie Cooper's chief cook in the "Hennesey" series, and played "Curley" in "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea."
His last feature film was "A Global Affair" with Bob Hope. He was also featured in "The Robe," "A Star is Bom," "Fireman, Save My Child, "Up Periscope" and others.
Andress said funeral ar rangements would await in San Clemente, Kulky's residence, until arrival from New York of his parents and brother.
The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, California
Sun, Feb 14, 1965
Page 39
Henry Kulky, Veteran Actor, Wrestler, Dies
Funeral services were pending Saturday for Henry (Hank) Kulky, veteran actor and wrestler "best known for his role as Navy Chief Max Bronsky in the "Hennesey" television series.
The 53-year-old actor collapsed of an apparent heart attack in Oceanside Friday night while studying a script for his newest role in the TV series, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." He died en route to Oceanside Hospital.
Kulky. who made more than 500 motion picture and television, appearances in a 19-year acting career, bragged that he never took a dramatic lesson in his life. "I learned enough emoting during my 7,000 wrestling matches," Kulky loved to tell his friends.
Started as Boxer
Thomas C. Andress, manager of the Anglers Club in Oceanside and a personal. friend, was with Kulky when he was stricken. "We were talking, about old times in a booth the rear of the club when Hank just stood up, coughed couple of times, and collapsed," Andress told The Times.
The hulking actor was born in Hastings-on-the-Hud- son, New York, Aug. 11, 1911, and turned boxer in his teens. He fought only six bouts and then became wrestling teacher at a pri vate club.
Promoter Stanislaus Zbysko saw him, whisked him off to Argentina in 1939 and gave him the ring name of "Bomber Kulkavich." Kulky won 172 matches, lost three and became judo champion of South America.
He met all the top matmen of his day, including then world champion Lou Thesz and former heavyweight boxing champ-turned-wrestler Primo Camera. Then, in 1946, fellow wrestler, Mike Mazurki, got Kulky his first movie 'role with James Stewart in "Call Northside 777,"
In 1950, he quit wrestling forever. Kulky spent five years with the late William Bendix in the Life of Riley TV series, was Jackie Cooper's chief cook in the "Hennesey" series, and played "Curley" in "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea."
His last feature film was "A Global Affair" with Bob Hope. He was also featured in "The Robe," "A Star is Bom," "Fireman, Save My Child, "Up Periscope" and others.
Andress said funeral ar rangements would await in San Clemente, Kulky's residence, until arrival from New York of his parents and brother.
The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, California
Sun, Feb 14, 1965
Page 39
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