Actor. Born in Flagstaff, Arizona, his family moved to Kingman, Arizona when he was 1 year old. His father, having lost a leg as a railroad employee, had used the settlement money to purchase the Beale Hotel and he worked there as a child. A large, active boy, he suffered numerous broken bones growing up. His raspy voice was the result of a fall with a stick in his mouth which permanently damaged his vocal cords. Leaving Kingman to attend college, he played football at St. Mary and St. Benedict College, Arizona State Teacher's College, and Santa Clara University. During his football years he often used the name Jeremiah Schwartz as a pseudonym. Andy dreamt of becoming an actor and moved to Hollywood in 1926 where he was "discovered" standing on a street corner. He had several bit parts in silent films before appearing in his first "talkie" as Truck McCall in 1931s "The Spirit of Notre Dame." After being introduced by Will Rogers, he married Dorothy in 1933. Concerned that his raspy voice would limit his success in "talkies," it instead became his signature. He continued to appear in films, frequently as a comic side-kick. He appeared in nine Roy Rogers films as Cookie Bullfinch. His most memorable role was on series television as Jingles P. Jones on "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" from 1951 to 1956. He played himself on "Andy's Gang" from 1955 to 1960 and later he was a regular on "Flipper." He continued to act doing movies, stage, television and voice-overs until his death from Leukemia. He remains a beloved character in Kingman where the main street is named Andy Devine Boulevard and Andy Devine Days is an annual celebration.
Actor. Born in Flagstaff, Arizona, his family moved to Kingman, Arizona when he was 1 year old. His father, having lost a leg as a railroad employee, had used the settlement money to purchase the Beale Hotel and he worked there as a child. A large, active boy, he suffered numerous broken bones growing up. His raspy voice was the result of a fall with a stick in his mouth which permanently damaged his vocal cords. Leaving Kingman to attend college, he played football at St. Mary and St. Benedict College, Arizona State Teacher's College, and Santa Clara University. During his football years he often used the name Jeremiah Schwartz as a pseudonym. Andy dreamt of becoming an actor and moved to Hollywood in 1926 where he was "discovered" standing on a street corner. He had several bit parts in silent films before appearing in his first "talkie" as Truck McCall in 1931s "The Spirit of Notre Dame." After being introduced by Will Rogers, he married Dorothy in 1933. Concerned that his raspy voice would limit his success in "talkies," it instead became his signature. He continued to appear in films, frequently as a comic side-kick. He appeared in nine Roy Rogers films as Cookie Bullfinch. His most memorable role was on series television as Jingles P. Jones on "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" from 1951 to 1956. He played himself on "Andy's Gang" from 1955 to 1960 and later he was a regular on "Flipper." He continued to act doing movies, stage, television and voice-overs until his death from Leukemia. He remains a beloved character in Kingman where the main street is named Andy Devine Boulevard and Andy Devine Days is an annual celebration.
Bio by: O'side Native
Family Members
Half Siblings
Advertisement
