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Jack Dodson

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Full Name
  
John S. Dodson

Name
  
Jack Dodson


Years active
  
1960–1994

Occupation
  
Actor

Resting place
  
Cremation

Jack Dodson iamediaimdbcomimagesMMV5BMTU3ODgzNTI5OF5BMl5

Born
  
May 16, 1931 (
1931-05-16
)

Died
  
September 16, 1994, Los Angeles, California, United States

Spouse
  
Mary Dodson (m. 1959–1994)

Movies and TV shows
  
Similar People
  
Hope Summers, George Lindsey, Aneta Corsaut, Howard McNear, Betty Lynn

TCNW 479: The History of Jack Dodson


John S. "Jack" Dodson (May 16, 1931 – September 16, 1994) was an American television actor best remembered for the milquetoast character Howard Sprague on The Andy Griffith Show and its spin-off Mayberry R.F.D. From 1959 until his death in 1994, Dodson was married to television art director Mary Dodson.

Contents

Jack Dodson Jack Dodson Wikipedia

In 1966, Andy Griffith hired Dodson for the Howard Sprague role, having previously seen him in Broadway's Hughie. Dodson also portrayed insurance agent Ed Jenkins in the "Lost and Found" episode of The Andy Griffith Show. Dodson also appeared in episodes of My Friend Flicka, Hazel, The Virginian, Maude, Barney Miller, Welcome Back Kotter, Archie Bunker's Place, Newhart, Mr. Belvedere, Matlock, Mama's Family, and St. Elsewhere, on which he had a recurring role.

Dodson appeared as an airplane passenger caught up in a murder plot in a 1973 episode of Hawaii 5-0. In 1967, Dodson appeared in the episode "A Mighty Hunter Before the Lord" of NBC's The Road West, which aired opposite The Andy Griffith Show. He played Norman Gresham in the 1969 film Angel in My Pocket, and also appeared in two Sam Peckinpah films, The Getaway (1972) and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973). He also had a small role in the 1974 film Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, which starred Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges. His other film appearances included roles in Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) and A Climate for Killing (1991).

In the late 1970s, he had a recurring role as Mickey Malph, Ralph Malph's optometrist dad on Happy Days.

In 1975 he was in the Barney Miller episode "Horse Thief". In 1979-80, Season 6 of Barney Miller, he appeared in the episode "Guns". He appeared again on Barney Miller in the two-part episode "Homicide" in Season 7.

In January 1979, Dodson played Bernie, a hard of hearing acquaintance of Mark (David Spielberg), in a comic scene set in a restaurant in One Day at a Time.

In 1983, Dodson returned to Broadway in the revival of You Can't Take It with You. The actor reprised Howard Sprague in the 1986 NBC-TV movie Return to Mayberry, as well as in a 1990 episode of It's Garry Shandling's Show, "The Day Howard Moved In".

TCNW 158: Jack Dodson


Personal life

He died in Los Angeles, California, from heart failure, aged 63.

Dodson's widow, art director Mary Dodson, younger sister of actor Fritz Weaver, died in February 2016.

Filmography

Actor
1992
Homefront (TV Series) as
Mr. Melon
- On the Rebound (1997) - Mr. Melon
- All Good Things (1993) - Mr. Melon
- Like Being There When You're Not (1993) - Mr. Melon
- First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage (1992) - Mr. Melon
- The Traveling Lemo All-Stars (1992) - Mr. Melon
- Can't Say No (1992) - Mr. Melon
- The Lemo Tomato Juice Hour (1992) - Mr. Melon
1991
A Climate for Killing as
Sam Moorehouse
1990
Growing Pains (TV Series) as
Judge Herman
- Carol in Jail (1990) - Judge Herman (as Jack Dobson)
1990
It's Garry Shandling's Show. (TV Series) as
Howard Sprague
- The Day Howard Moved In (1990) - Howard Sprague
1986
Mr. Belvedere (TV Series) as
Carl Putnam
- A Happy Guy's Christmas (1989) - Carl Putnam
- Stakeout (1989) - Carl Putnam
- Halloween (1986) - Carl Putnam
- Speechless (1986) - Carl Putnam
1989
Just the Ten of Us (TV Series) as
Burt
- St. Augie's Blues: Part 2 (1989) - Burt
- St. Augie's Blues: Part 1 (1989) - Burt
1989
Matlock (TV Series) as
William Austin
- The Cult (1989) - William Austin
1988
Duet (TV Series) as
Walter Johnson
- Partners (1988) - Walter Johnson
1984
St. Elsewhere (TV Series) as
Judge Farnham
- Curtains (1988) - Judge Farnham
- Heaven's Skate (1988) - Judge Farnham
- The Idiot and the Odyssey (1987) - Judge Farnham
- Getting Ahead (1987) - Judge Farnham
- Slice O'Life (1985) - Judge Farnham
- The Naked and the Dead (1985) - Judge Farnham
- The Children's Hour (1984) - Judge Farnham
1987
The New Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) as
Dr. Harold Warren
- The Terrible Lizards (1987) - Dr. Harold Warren
1987
L.A. Law (TV Series) as
Bradford Fredericks
- The Lung Goodbye (1987) - Bradford Fredericks
1987
Night Court (TV Series)
- A Day in the Life (1987) - (uncredited)
1986
Mama's Family (TV Series) as
Gus
- Steal One Pearl Two (1986) - Gus
1986
Return to Mayberry (TV Movie) as
Howard Sprague
1980
Benson (TV Series) as
Senator Chapman / Mac McFadden / Major
- Secret Love (1986) - Senator Chapman
- Getting Even (1982) - Mac McFadden
- The Army Wants You (1980) - Major
1985
Cagney & Lacey (TV Series) as
Bill Carstairs
- Lottery (1985) - Bill Carstairs
1984
Great Performances (TV Series) as
Paul Sycamore
- You Can't Take It with You (1984) - Paul Sycamore
1984
American Playhouse (TV Series) as
F. Edward Hebert / Charlie Hughes
- Concealed Enemies, Part I: Suspicion (1984) - F. Edward Hebert
- Hughie (1984) - Charlie Hughes
1984
Gimme a Break! (TV Series) as
Principal Smythe
- Class of '84 (1984) - Principal Smythe
1983
Something Wicked This Way Comes as
Dr. Douglas
1979
One Day at a Time (TV Series) as
Mr. Reed / Bernie
- The Hero (1983) - Mr. Reed
- The Married Man: Part 3 (1979) - Bernie
1982
Newhart (TV Series) as
Mr. Shaver
- In the Beginning (1982) - Mr. Shaver
1982
Million Dollar Infield (TV Movie) as
Chuck
1981
Broadway on Showtime (TV Series) as
Charlie Hughes
- Hughie (1981) - Charlie Hughes
1981
Quincy M.E. (TV Series) as
Mr. Barswell
- Sugar and Spice (1981) - Mr. Barswell
1975
Barney Miller (TV Series) as
Henry St. Martin / Mr. Vogel / Mr. Franklin
- Homicide: Part 2 (1980) - Henry St. Martin
- Homicide: Part 1 (1980) - Henry St. Martin
- Guns (1980) - Mr. Vogel
- Horse Thief (1975) - Mr. Franklin
1980
Phyl & Mikhy (TV Series) as
Edgar 'Truck' Morley
- The Seduction of Mikhail Orlov (1980) - Edgar 'Truck' Morley
- One Big Happy Family (1980) - Edgar 'Truck' Morley
- Mikhy's Visitor (1980) - Edgar 'Truck' Morley
- Phyl's Wedding (1980) - Edgar 'Truck' Morley
- Phyl's Birthday Surprise (1980) - Edgar 'Truck' Morley
- The Meet (1980) - Edgar 'Truck' Morley
1976
Happy Days (TV Series) as
Dr. Mickey Malph
- Ralph's Family Problem (1980) - Dr. Mickey Malph
- The Last of the Big Time Malphs (1977) - Dr. Mickey Malph
- A Sight for Sore Eyes (1976) - Dr. Mickey Malph
1980
Lou Grant (TV Series) as
Walter Parrott
- Guns (1980) - Walter Parrott
1978
Sesame Street (TV Series) as
Man in Letter U cartoon / Cartoon Man
- Droids on Sesame Street (1980) - Man in Letter U cartoon (voice)
- Exercising Does Your Body Good (1979) - Man in Letter U cartoon (voice)
- Big Bird and his tonsils (1979) - Man in Letter U cartoon (voice)
- David and Oscar's ventriloquist dummies (1978) - Cartoon Man (voice)
1980
Archie Bunker's Place (TV Series) as
Tom
- Archie Fixes Up Fred (1980) - Tom
1980
Mork & Mindy (TV Series) as
Ricky
- Mork's Vacation (1980) - Ricky
1979
13 Queens Boulevard (TV Series) as
Mr. Sloan
- No Room at the Top (1979) - Mr. Sloan
1978
In the Beginning (TV Series) as
Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- Wedding for Thee (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- Well Healed (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- The Poker Game (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- The Kook (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- Aggie's Love Story (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- The Good Thief (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- Father Cleary's Crisis (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- What's It All About? (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
- Pilot (1978) - Msgr. Francis X. Barlow
1978
Snavely (TV Movie) as
Mr. Bishop
1978
A.E.S. Hudson Street (TV Series) as
Coody
- Dr. No-No (1978) - Coody
1978
Police Story (TV Series) as
Osburn Parker
- Day of Terror- Night of Fear (1978) - Osburn Parker
1978
Carter Country (TV Series) as
Ludlow
- Roy Pays His Taxes (1978) - Ludlow
1977
CPO Sharkey (TV Series) as
Dr. Savage
- Sharkey Flies Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1977) - Dr. Savage
1977
Welcome Back, Kotter (TV Series) as
Mr. Hansen
- And Baby Makes Four: Part 3 (1977) - Mr. Hansen
1976
Maude (TV Series) as
Rev. Harper / Floyd Hathaway
- Phillip and Sam (1977) - Rev. Harper
- Walter's Stigma (1976) - Floyd Hathaway
1977
Walkin' Walter (TV Series) as
Wendell Henderson
1976
All's Fair (TV Series) as
Senator Wayne Joplin
- Charley's Father (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- The Jailbirds: Part 2 (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- The Jailbirds: Part 1 (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- The Dick and Vanessa Show (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Rememberance (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Save the Yak (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- In Name Only (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- The Presidental Requests: Part 2 (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- The Presidental Requests: Part 1 (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Lucy's Job Offer (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Love and Marriage: Part 2 (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Love and Marriage: Part 1 (1977) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- True Confessions (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- The Leak (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Weekend (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Happy Anniversary: Part 2 (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Happy Anniversary: Part 1 (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- The Gang Leader (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Election Eve (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Discovery Day (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Living Together (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- A Perfect Evening (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Jealousy (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
- Strange Bedfellows (1976) - Senator Wayne Joplin
1976
The Nancy Walker Show (TV Series) as
Ed Greenburger
- The Homecoming (1976) - Ed Greenburger
1976
The Practice (TV Series) as
Dr. Gardner
- The Practice (1976) - Dr. Gardner
1975
Adams of Eagle Lake (TV Series) as
Doc Russell
- Treasure Chest Murder (1975) - Doc Russell
- Home Is the Coward (1975) - Doc Russell
1975
The Manhunter (TV Series) as
Judge Corman
- Man in a Cage (1975) - Judge Corman
1974
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot as
Vault Manager
1973
Hawaii Five-O (TV Series) as
Will Rowan
- Murder Is a Taxing Affair (1973) - Will Rowan
1973
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid as
Howland
1972
The Getaway as
Harold Clinton
1972
Emergency! (TV Series) as
George
- Decision (1972) - George
1972
The Doris Day Show (TV Series) as
Henry Thurston
- Doris' House Guest (1972) - Henry Thurston
1972
The Jimmy Stewart Show (TV Series) as
Holly
- Paper Work (1972) - Holly
1971
Room 222 (TV Series) as
Mr. Casey
- Who Is Benedict Arnold? (1971) - Mr. Casey
1968
Mayberry R.F.D. (TV Series) as
Howard Sprague
- Emmett's Invention (1971) - Howard Sprague
- The City Planner (1971) - Howard Sprague
- Goober, the Hero (1971) - Howard Sprague
- Howard, the Swinger (1971) - Howard Sprague
- Alice and the Professor (1971) - Howard Sprague
- Goober, the Elder (1971) - Howard Sprague
- The World Traveler (1971) - Howard Sprague
- The Moon Rocks (1971) - Howard Sprague
- The Kid from Hong Kong (1971) - Howard Sprague
- Millie's Egg Farm (1971) - Howard Sprague
- Howard, the Dream Spinner (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Mike's Project (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The Bicycle Club (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The Harp (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Community Spirit (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Millie's Dream (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Howard's Nephew (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Millie, the Best-Dressed Woman (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The New Housekeeper (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Goober's New Gas Station (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Sensitivity Training (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Emmett's Domestic Problem (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The Mynah Bird (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Millie, the Secretary (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Aloha, Goober (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The Mayberry Float (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The Health Fund (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The Sculptor (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Millie and the Great Outdoors (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The Mayberry Road (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Goober's Brother (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Emmett and the Ring (1970) - Howard Sprague
- The New Well (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Emmett Takes a Fall (1970) - Howard Sprague
- Palm Springs Cowboy (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Millie and the Palm Springs Golf Pro (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Palm Springs, Here We Are (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Palm Springs, Here We Come (1969) - Howard Sprague
- The Caper (1969) - Howard Sprague
- The Farmer Exchange Project (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Mike's Birthday Party (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Goober and the Telephone Girl (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Howard, the Poet (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Saving Morelli's (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Andy's Baby (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Sister Cities (1969) - Howard Sprague
- The Church Bell (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Emmett's Retirement (1969) - Howard Sprague
- An Efficient Service Station (1969) - Howard Sprague
- The Pet Shop (1969) - Howard Sprague
- The Camper (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Howard's Hobby (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Driver Education (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Aunt Bee's Cruise: Part 2 (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Aunt Bee's Cruise: Part 1 (1969) - Howard Sprague
- New Couple in Town (1969) - Howard Sprague
- Sam and the Teenager (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Miss Farmerette (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Emmett's 50th Birthday (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Sam Gets a Ticket (1968) - Howard Sprague
- The Church Play (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Youth Takes Over (1968) - Howard Sprague
- The Panel Show (1968) - Howard Sprague
- The Copy Machine (1968) - Howard Sprague
- The Harvest Ball (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Andy and Helen Get Married (1968) - Howard Sprague
1969
Angel in My Pocket as
Norman Gresham
1966
The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) as
Howard Sprague / Ed Jenkins
- Mayberry R.F.D. (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Sam for Town Council (1968) - Howard Sprague
- The Wedding (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Helen's Past (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Aunt Bee's Big Moment (1968) - Howard Sprague
- The Church Benefactors (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Opie's Drugstore Job (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Emmett's Brother-in-Law (1968) - Howard Sprague
- Howard's New Life (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Suppose Andy Gets Sick (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Aunt Bee's Cousin (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Howard and Millie (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Andy's Investment (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Aunt Bee and the Lecturer (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Howard's Main Event (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Andy's Trip to Raleigh (1967) - Howard Sprague
- A Trip to Mexico (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Howard, the Bowler (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Opie's Most Unforgettable Character (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Big Brother (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Howard, the Comedian (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Goodbye, Dolly (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Helen, the Authoress (1967) - Howard Sprague
- The Statue (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Floyd's Barbershop (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Aunt Bee's Restaurant (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Andy's Old Girlfriend (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Dinner at Eight (1967) - Howard Sprague
- Goober Makes History (1966) - Howard Sprague
- Otis, the Deputy (1966) - Howard Sprague
- Big Fish in a Small Town (1966) - Howard Sprague
- The Senior Play (1966) - Howard Sprague
- Politics Begin at Home (1966) - Howard Sprague
- The Ball Game (1966) - Howard Sprague
- The Barbershop Quartet (1966) - Howard Sprague
- The Lodge (1966) - Howard Sprague
- The County Clerk (1966) - Howard Sprague
- Lost and Found (1966) - Ed Jenkins
1967
The Road West (TV Series) as
Jack Hanson
- A Mighty Hunter Before the Lord (1967) - Jack Hanson
1966
Munster, Go Home! as
Second Ship Steward (uncredited)
1966
The Virginian (TV Series) as
Henry Brodie
- The Inchworm's Got No Wings at All (1966) - Henry Brodie
1966
The Fugitive (TV Series) as
Lieutenant
- Not with a Whimper (1966) - Lieutenant
1965
The Wackiest Ship in the Army (TV Series) as
Commander Judd
- -.And Tyler, Too (1965) - Commander Judd
1965
Hazel (TV Series) as
Grouchy open house looker
- Hazel Sits It Out (1965) - Grouchy open house looker (uncredited)
1965
Peyton Place (TV Series) as
Al Pearson
- Episode #2.21 (1965) - Al Pearson (uncredited)
1963
The Defenders (TV Series) as
Jury Foreman
- The Star Spangled Ghetto (1963) - Jury Foreman
1963
Car 54, Where Are You? (TV Series) as
the Workman
- The Curse of the Snitkins (1963) - the Workman (uncredited)
Self
1993
Andy Griffith Show Reunion (TV Special) as
Self
1970
It's Your Bet (TV Series) as
Self
- George Lindsey and Jack Dodson (1970) - Self
1967
Dream Girl of '67 (TV Series) as
Self - Bachelor Judge
- The Dream Girl of 1967 (Show No. 215) (1967) - Self - Bachelor Judge
- The Dream Girl of 1967 (Show No. 214) (1967) - Self - Bachelor Judge
- The Dream Girl of 1967 (Show No. 213) (1967) - Self - Bachelor Judge
- The Dream Girl of 1967 (Show No. 212) (1967) - Self - Bachelor Judge
- The Dream Girl of 1967 (Show No. 211) (1967) - Self - Bachelor Judge
Archive Footage
2004
Hit Celebrity TV Commercials (TV Movie) as
Howard Sprague - for Open Pit BBQ Sauce
1978
Happy Days (TV Series) as
Dr. Mickey Malph
- Richie's Girl Exposes the Cunninghams (1978) - Dr. Mickey Malph

References

Jack Dodson Wikipedia