Vinton Hayworth

Career

Born in Washington, D.C., he began acting in his late teens. He was a pioneering radio announcer in the early 1920s, first in Washington, later in New York City, and then in Chicago. Subsequently, he appeared on numerous radio programs in various roles. He played Fred Andrews on Archie Andrews, was an announcer on Chaplain Jim,^:70-71 played Philip Roberts on It's Higgins, Sir,^:166 played Port on Lone Journey,^:204 played Alonzo Smith on Meet Me in St. Louis,^:223 and played Jack Arnold on Myrt and Marge.^:249

He entered movies in 1933, under the stage name Jack Arnold and made appearances in small roles, usually played comically good-natured, sneaky characters. Although he did occasionally have larger parts, such as the starring role in 1937's China Passage, billed as Vinton Haworth. His appearances as Jack Arnold ended in the early 1940s and he did a two-year stint on Broadway from 1942-44 before returning to California. He made appearances in film from the late 1950s onward.

Hayworth was also one of the founders of AFRA (later AFTRA), the union representing radio and television artists, of which he was also the president from 1951-54.

Hayworth began appearing on television in the 1950s. In 1953-1954, he was an announcer on The Buick-Berle Show on NBC.

He appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, Dennis the Menace, Petticoat Junction, Ripcord, Hazel, The Munsters, Green Acres (1965) and Dick Tracy (1967). He played Magistrado Carlos Galindo on Disney's Zorro (1957-1959). His final role was as General Winfield Schaeffer on I Dream of Jeannie between 1969 and 1970.^:490-491 Hayworth replaced Barton MacLane, who had played General Martin Peterson until his death in 1969. Both Hayworth and MacLane died before the final episodes that they appeared in were aired.

Death

Shortly after completing his recurring role of General Winfield Schaeffer in I Dream of Jeannie, Hayworth died on May 21, 1970.

Personal

Hayworth was married to actress Jean Owens whose sister was Lela Owens, mother of actress Ginger Rogers. Hayworth's elder sister was Volga Hayworth, mother of screen star Rita Hayworth, making Vinton Hayworth maternal uncle of both Rita Hayworth and Ginger Rogers.