American child actor: Popular freckle-faced, buck-toothed former child film star of the 40's, enjoyed a wonderful film career during his childhood years. Though Jenkins, born Jack Dudley Jenkins, only appeared in about a dozen films from 1943 to 1948, his screen contribution as juvenile actor in memorable films like "The Human Comedy" (film debut), "National Velvet", "Little Mister Jim", and "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes," (1945) with Margaret O'Brien, and Edward G Robinson. Jenkins film legacy is still fondly remember today. It's said, Jenkins left films at the age of eleven, when he developed a nervous stutter which never left him, even as an adult.
His childhood earnings were well invested for him, leaving him independently wealthy while still in his 30s. In his adult years he supervised the East Texas Water System, and ran a chain of car wash outlets. 'Butch' Jenkins died suddenly in his sleep, at his home at Asheville, North Carolina. He was 63.
Of his career, in his early 30s, Jenkin's reportedly once said, "I have never regretted leaving the picture business and am very grateful to my mother for taking me away from it. I enjoyed the first few years of acting in movies but I certainly don't miss it. In fact, when I've had offers to return a few times, I wasn't even tempted. There may be a better way to live than on a lake with a couple of cows, a wife, and children but being a movie star is not one."
His childhood earnings were well invested for him, leaving him independently wealthy while still in his 30s. In his adult years he supervised the East Texas Water System, and ran a chain of car wash outlets. 'Butch' Jenkins died suddenly in his sleep, at his home at Asheville, North Carolina. He was 63.
Of his career, in his early 30s, Jenkin's reportedly once said, "I have never regretted leaving the picture business and am very grateful to my mother for taking me away from it. I enjoyed the first few years of acting in movies but I certainly don't miss it. In fact, when I've had offers to return a few times, I wasn't even tempted. There may be a better way to live than on a lake with a couple of cows, a wife, and children but being a movie star is not one."
American child actor: Popular freckle-faced, buck-toothed former child film star of the 40's, enjoyed a wonderful film career during his childhood years. Though Jenkins, born Jack Dudley Jenkins, only appeared in about a dozen films from 1943 to 1948, his screen contribution as juvenile actor in memorable films like "The Human Comedy" (film debut), "National Velvet", "Little Mister Jim", and "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes," (1945) with Margaret O'Brien, and Edward G Robinson. Jenkins film legacy is still fondly remember today. It's said, Jenkins left films at the age of eleven, when he developed a nervous stutter which never left him, even as an adult.
His childhood earnings were well invested for him, leaving him independently wealthy while still in his 30s. In his adult years he supervised the East Texas Water System, and ran a chain of car wash outlets. 'Butch' Jenkins died suddenly in his sleep, at his home at Asheville, North Carolina. He was 63.
Of his career, in his early 30s, Jenkin's reportedly once said, "I have never regretted leaving the picture business and am very grateful to my mother for taking me away from it. I enjoyed the first few years of acting in movies but I certainly don't miss it. In fact, when I've had offers to return a few times, I wasn't even tempted. There may be a better way to live than on a lake with a couple of cows, a wife, and children but being a movie star is not one."
His childhood earnings were well invested for him, leaving him independently wealthy while still in his 30s. In his adult years he supervised the East Texas Water System, and ran a chain of car wash outlets. 'Butch' Jenkins died suddenly in his sleep, at his home at Asheville, North Carolina. He was 63.
Of his career, in his early 30s, Jenkin's reportedly once said, "I have never regretted leaving the picture business and am very grateful to my mother for taking me away from it. I enjoyed the first few years of acting in movies but I certainly don't miss it. In fact, when I've had offers to return a few times, I wasn't even tempted. There may be a better way to live than on a lake with a couple of cows, a wife, and children but being a movie star is not one."
Gravesite Details
Upon the death of Mr. Jenkins, he was cremated, ashes then acquired by his family.
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