Jack Pepper
Jack Pepper | |
---|---|
Born |
Edward Jackson Culpepper June 14, 1902 Palestine, Texas, U.S. |
Died |
April 1, 1979 76) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Occupation | Singer, dancer, comedian, musician, nightclub manager |
Spouse(s) |
Ginger Rogers (m. 1929; div. 1931) Dawn Stanton (m. 1935; his death 1979) |
Children | Cynthia Pepper |
Jack Pepper (born Edward Jackson Culpepper, June 14, 1902 – April 1, 1979) was an American vaudeville dancer, singer, comedian, musician, and later in life a Dallas, Texas nightclub manager.
Pepper began entertaining on the Vaudeville circuit in his youth with his sisters Helen and Winnie Mae. He first came to national prominence in the 1920s as part of the duo "Salt and Pepper" with Frank Salt. Pepper sang and played ukulele in a style similar to that of Cliff Edwards in addition to doing comic and dance bits. "Salt and Pepper" appeared prominently in Broadway revues, made radio broadcasts, and recorded a number of sides for Cameo Records in the mid-1920s.
After striking out on his own Pepper teamed up with dancer Ginger Rogers as "Ginger and Pepper." Rogers and Pepper were married from 1929 to 1931. While the marriage was short-lasting, they continued to speak respectfully of each other all their lives.
The year 1929 also marked the first of Pepper's sound film appearances.
By his second wife, Dawn, Pepper was the father of actress Cynthia Pepper.
In 1940, he appeared in the films Rhythm on the River and Road to Singapore. Drafted during World War II, he toured with the USO.
Pepper continued to appear in films as a character actor into the 1960s.
Partial filmography
- Road to Singapore (1940) - Newspaper Columnist (uncredited)
- Rhythm on the River (1940) - Bob's cabbie (uncredited)
- Silver Canyon (1951) - Bit Role (uncredited)
- My Favorite Spy (1951) - FBI Man (uncredited)
- Son of Paleface (1952) - Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Just for You (1952) - Stagehand (uncredited)
- Stop, You're Killing Me (1952) - The Singer
- Off Limits (1952) - Bartender (uncredited)
- Trouble Along the Way (1953) - Irish Tenor / Pianist in Saloon (uncredited)
- A Star Is Born (1954) - Chef (uncredited)
- The Seven Little Foys (1955) - Theater Manager (uncredited)
- Lucy Gallant (1955) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Anything Goes (1956) - Man (uncredited)
- That Certain Feeling (1956) - Extra (uncredited)
- Beau James (1957) - Politician (uncredited)
- Man on Fire (1957) - Club Member (uncredited)
- I Married a Woman (1958) - Crawford (uncredited)
- Once Upon a Horse... (1958) - Roulette Croupier (uncredited)
- The Five Pennies (1959) - Ship Worker (uncredited)
- Bachelor in Paradise (1961) - Floor Man (uncredited)
- Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) - Joe (uncredited)
- Critic's Choice (1963) - 1st Baseman (uncredited)
- The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) - Sport Fishmern (uncredited)
- Cat Ballou (1965) - Banjo Player (uncredited)
References
- Vaudeville, Old & New, by Frank Cullen, Florence Hackman, Donald McNeilly. Routledge, 2007.