Jim Backus Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
JIM BACKUS
Born: February 25, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio
Died: July 03, 1989 in Los Angeles, California
James Gilmore "Jim" Backus was an accomplished American actor, voice actor, and comedian, celebrated for his distinctive performances across various platforms of entertainment. Born on February 25, 1913, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Backus began his career in radio, notably on "The Alan Young Show," before transitioning to film. He featured in many popular films of the mid-20th century, such as "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955) where he portrayed James Dean's ineffectual father, further enhancing his cinematic presence.
Backus is most notably remembered for his voice acting as the character Mr. Magoo in the animated series of the same name (1949-1959). His portrayal of the wealthy, nearsighted retiree was met with widespread acclaim, securing his reputation in the realm of animated entertainment. However, Backus's talents were not confined to animation. In live-action television, Backus was renowned for his role as Thurston Howell III, the millionaire castaway in the CBS sitcom "Gilligan's Island" (1964-1967). His distinctive characterization of the aloof and often befuddled Howell brought a unique flavor to the ensemble cast and further demonstrated his versatility as an actor.
Beyond his acting roles, Backus was also a proficient writer, co-authoring several books with his wife, Henny Backus. Among these is "Only When I Laugh," which humorously details their long and successful marriage.
Backus began his career in radio, notably on "The Alan Young Show," before transitioning to film. He featured in many popular films of the mid-20th century, such as "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955) where he portrayed James Dean's ineffectual father, further enhancing his cinematic presence.
Backus is most notably remembered for his voice acting as the character Mr. Magoo in the animated series of the same name (1949-1959). His portrayal of the wealthy, nearsighted retiree was met with widespread acclaim, securing his reputation in the realm of animated entertainment. However, Backus's talents were not confined to animation. In live-action television, Backus was renowned for his role as Thurston Howell III, the millionaire castaway in the CBS sitcom "Gilligan's Island" (1964-1967). His distinctive characterization of the aloof and often befuddled Howell brought a unique flavor to the ensemble cast and further demonstrated his versatility as an actor.
Beyond his acting roles, Backus was also a proficient writer, co-authoring several books with his wife, Henny Backus. Among these is "Only When I Laugh," which humorously details their long and successful marriage.
1970-He-Said,-She-Said (in person), 1976-AFI-Life-Achievement-Award:-A-Tribute-to-William-Wyler (in person), 2004-Before-the-Three-Hour-Tour (Other), 1963-It's-a-Mad,-Mad,-Mad,-Mad-World (Performer), 2002-Biography (Other), 2000-TV-Guide's-Truth-Behind-the-Sitcom-Scandals-2 (Other), 1956-Autumn-Leaves (Other), 1982-Slapstick-Of-Another-Kind (Performer), 1978-1980-Fantasy-Island (Performer), 1980-The-Gossip-Columnist (Performer), 1979-The-Rebels (Performer), 1978-Rescue-from-Gilligan's-Island (Performer), 1978-Good-Guys-Wear-Black (Performer), 1977-Pete's-Dragon (Performer), 1975-Mobile-One (Performer), 1975-Gunsmoke (Performer), 1975-Chico-and-the-Man (Performer), 1975-The-Ghost-Busters (Performer), 1972-Of-Thee-I-Sing (Performer), 1972-Alias-Smith-and-Jones (Performer), 1970-Uncle-Sam-Magoo (Performer), 1969-The-Good-Guys (Performer), 1968-1969-Blondie (Performer), 1968-The-Bugs-Bunny/Road-Runner-Hour (Performer), 1967-Hurry-Sundown (Performer), 1963-The-Beverly-Hillbillies (Performer), 1963-My-Six-Loves (Performer), 1963-The-Dick-Powell-Theatre (Performer), 1961-Cain's-Hundred (Performer), 1961-The-Errand-Boy (Performer), 1959-The-Wild-and-the-Innocent (Performer), 1959-Merry-Minstrel-Magoo (Performer), 1958-The-High-Cost-of-Loving (Performer), 1958-The-Explosive-Mr.-Magoo (Performer), 1957-1958-Studio-One-in-Hollywood (Performer), 1957-Magoo's-Moose-Hunt (Performer), 1957-Rock-Hound-Magoo (Performer), 1957-Man-of-a-Thousand-Faces (Performer), 1957-Magoo-Goes-Overboard (Performer), 1957-Top-Secret-Affair (Performer), 1956-Magoo's-Problem-Child (Performer), 1956-Front-Row-Center (Performer), 1956-Lux-Video-Theatre (Performer), 1955-The-Square-Jungle (Performer), 1955-TV-Reader's-Digest (Performer), 1955-Rebel-Without-a-Cause (Performer), 1952-1955-I-Married-Joan (Performer), 1955-Magoo's-Check-Up (Performer), 1954-Destination-Magoo (Performer), 1954-The-Web (Performer), 1953-Geraldine (Performer), 1953-Magoo-Slept-Here (Performer), 1953-Magoo's-Masterpiece (Performer), 1953-I-Love-Melvin (Performer), 1952-Androcles-and-the-Lion (Performer), 1952-Hotsy-Footsy (Performer), 1952-Pink-and-Blue-Blues (Performer), 1952-Pat-and-Mike (Performer), 1951-I-Want-You (Performer), 1951-Grizzly-Golfer (Performer), 1951-I'll-See-You-in-My-Dreams (Performer), 1951-Iron-Man (Performer), 1950-The-Killer-That-Stalked-New-York (Performer), 1950-Customs-Agent (Performer), 1950-Edgar-Bergen-with-Charlie-McCarthy (Performer), 1949-Hollywood-House (Performer), 1949-Easy-Living (Performer), 1954-Destination-Magoo (Writer), 1954-Destination-Magoo (in person), 1988-The-Late-Show (in person), 1973-The-Wacky-World-of-Jonathan-Winters (in person), 1965-1973-Password-All-Stars (in person), 1969-The-Storybook-Squares (in person), 1962-Talent-Scouts (in person), 1962-The-Linkletter-Show (in person), 1962-The-Bob-Newhart-Show (in person), 1962-The-Lady-and-the-Stock-Exchange (in person), 1981-The-Harlem-Globetrotters-on-Gilligan's-Island (Performer), 2003-ET-in-TV-Land (Other), 1975-Walt-Disney's-Wonderful-World-of-Color (Other), 2001-Surviving-Gilligan's-Island:-The-Incredibly-True-Story-of-the (Other), 1988-Forever-James-Dean (Other), 1983-Trapper-John,-M.D. (Performer), 1978-1981-The-Love-Boat (Performer), 1980-There-Goes-the-Bride (Performer), 1979-The-Castaways-on-Gilligan's-Island (Performer), 1979-Angels'-Brigade (Performer), 1979-$weepstake$ (Performer), 1977-Charlie's-Angels (Performer), 1977-Never-Con-a-Killer (Performer), 1977-The-Feather-and-Father-Gang (Performer), 1975-New-Zoo-Revue (Performer), 1975-Crazy-Mama (Performer), 1975-Cop-on-the-Beat (Performer), 1975-Kolchak:-The-Night-Stalker (Performer), 1974-Yes,-Virginia,-There-Is-a-Santa-Claus (Performer), 1974-Goodnight-Jackie (Performer), 1973-Miracle-on-34th-Street (Performer), 1973-Mod-Squad (Performer), 1972-Magic-Carpet (Performer), 1970-Love,-American-Style (Performer), 1969-Hello-Down-There (Performer), 1968-The-Fabulous-Shorts (Performer), 1968-Daniel-Boone (Performer), 1967-Accidental-Family (Performer), 1965-Fluffy (Performer), 1965-John-Goldfarb,-Please-Come-Home! (Performer), 1964-Arrest-and-Trial (Performer), 1964-The-DuPont-Show-of-the-Week (Performer), 1963-Johnny-Cool (Performer), 1963-The-United-States-Steel-Hour (Performer), 1963-Critic's-Choice (Performer), 1963-Operation-Bikini (Performer), 1962-Follow-the-Sun (Performer), 1960-The-Untouchables (Performer), 1960-77-Sunset-Strip (Performer), 1960-Ice-Palace (Performer), 1960-Mister-Magoo (Performer), 1959-The-Big-Operator (Performer), 1959-Ask-Any-Girl (Performer), 1959-Goodyear-Theatre (Performer), 1959-Bwana-Magoo (Performer), 1958-Magoo's-Three-Point-Landing (Performer), 1958-Scoutmaster-Magoo (Performer), 1957-Eighteen-and-Anxious (Performer), 1957-Magoo-Saves-the-Bank (Performer), 1957-Magoo-Breaks-Par (Performer), 1957-Robert-Montgomery-Presents (Performer), 1956-The-Great-Man (Performer), 1956-Conflict (Performer), 1956-Trailblazer-Magoo (Performer), 1956-Magoo's-Puddle-Jumper (Performer), 1956-Magoo-Goes-West (Performer), 1956-Warner-Brothers-Presents (Performer), 1956-Magoo's-Canine-Mutiny (Performer), 1956-Meet-Me-in-Las-Vegas (Performer), 1956-Star-Stage (Performer), 1952-Angel-Face (Performer), 1952-Here-Come-the-Nelsons (Performer), 1951-Fuddy-Duddy-Buddy (Performer), 1951-Barefaced-Flatfoot (Performer), 1950-Ma-and-Pa-Kettle-Go-to-Town (Performer), 1950-Spellbound-Hound (Performer), 1949-The-Great-Lover (Performer), 1949-Father-Was-a-Fullback (Performer), 1948-A-Lad-in-His-Lamp (Performer), 1971-Mooch-Goes-to-Hollywood (Writer), 1973-Match-Game-73 (in person), 1965-1973-The-Hollywood-Squares (in person), 1971-This-Is-Your-Life (in person), 1971-Mooch-Goes-to-Hollywood (in person), 1970-The-Max-Bygraves-Hour (in person), 1968-1969-The-Joey-Bishop-Show (in person), 1967-Don't-Make-Waves (in person), 1959-The-Chevy-Showroom-Starring-Andy-Williams (in person), 1958-This-Is-Your-Life (in person), 1958-The-George-Gobel-Show (in person), 1957-1958-The-Jack-Paar-Tonight-Show (in person), 1990-Merrie-Melodies:-Starring-Bugs-Bunny-and-Friends (Performer), 1957-The-Gale-Storm-Show:-Oh!-Susanna (Performer), 1964-1992-Gilligan's-Island (Performer), 1979-C.H.O.M.P.S. (Performer), 1963-The-Match-Game (in person), 1961-Person-to-Person (in person), 1951-Bungled-Bungalow (Performer), 2000-Entertainment-Tonight-Presents:-Gilligan's-Island---The-Untold (Other), 1985-Prince-Jack (Performer), 1984-The-Enchanted-Journey (Performer), 1982-Gilligan's-Planet (Performer), 1979-Eischied (Performer), 1978-The-Gift-of-the-Magi (Performer), 1977-CHiPs (Performer), 1975-1976-Police-Story (Performer), 1975-Friday-Foster (Performer), 1975-Ellery-Queen (Performer), 1974-Marcus-Welby,-M.D. (Performer), 1971-1974-The-Brady-Bunch (Performer), 1972-Now-You-See-Him,-Now-You-Don't (Performer), 1970-I-Dream-of-Jeannie (Performer), 1969-The-Wild-Wild-West (Performer), 1967-Damn-Yankees! (Performer), 1964-1965-The-Famous-Adventures-of-Mr.-Magoo (Performer), 1963-1964-Burke's-Law (Performer), 1964-Espionage (Performer), 1963-The-Wheeler-Dealers (Performer), 1962-Zotz! (Performer), 1962-Boys'-Night-Out (Performer), 1962-The-Horizontal-Lieutenant (Performer), 1961-Maverick (Performer), 1960-1961-The-Jim-Backus-Show (Performer), 1959-1001-Arabian-Nights (Performer), 1959-A-Private's-Affair (Performer), 1959-The-Millionaire (Performer), 1959-Magoo's-Homecoming (Performer), 1958-Playhouse-90 (Performer), 1958-Macabre (Performer), 1957-Magoo's-Private-War (Performer), 1957-Magoo's-Masquerade (Performer), 1957-Climax! (Performer), 1956-Magoo-Beats-the-Heat (Performer), 1956-Matinee-Theatre (Performer), 1955-Francis-in-the-Navy (Performer), 1955-Magoo-Express (Performer), 1954-Deep-in-My-Heart (Performer), 1954-Four-Wheels,-No-Brakes (Performer), 1954-Magoo-Goes-Skiing (Performer), 1953-Safety-Spin (Performer), 1952-Above-and-Beyond (Performer), 1952-Captains-Outrageous (Performer), 1952-Don't-Bother-to-Knock (Performer), 1952-The-Dog-Snatcher (Performer), 1951-His-Kind-of-Woman (Performer), 1950-Emergency-Wedding (Performer), 1950-Trouble-Indemnity (Performer), 1949-Ragtime-Bear (Performer), 1980-Today (in person), 1979-The-Alan-Hamel-Show (in person), 1972-1973-The-Mouse-Factory (in person), 1970-It-Takes-Two (in person), 1969-The-David-Frost-Show (in person), 1969-The-Joan-Rivers-Show (in person), 1957-1965-What's-My-Line (in person), 1965-The-Celebrity-Game (in person), 1963-Stump-the-Stars (in person), 1962-The-Tonight-Show (in person), 1958-To-Tell-the-Truth (in person), 1962-Here's-Hollywood (in person), 1983-Tom-Cottle:-Up-Close (in person), 1999-E!-True-Hollywood-Story (Other), 2011-Tony-Curtis:-Driven-to-Stardom (Other), 1986-The-Bugs-Bunny-and-Tweety-Show (Performer), 1979-Flying-High (Performer), 1977-What's-New,-Mr.-Magoo (Performer), 1977-Have-I-Got-a-Christmas-for-You (Performer), 1977-The-Magic-Pony (Performer), 1976-Ark-II (Performer), 1976-ABC-Afterschool-Specials (Performer), 1975-Joe-Forrester (Performer), 1975-Harry-O (Performer), 1974-The-New-Adventures-of-Gilligan (Performer), 1973-The-Girl-Most-Likely-to... (Performer), 1973-Medical-Center (Performer), 1972-Getting-Away-from-It-All (Performer), 1972-Young-Dr.-Kildare (Performer), 1970-Myra-Breckinridge (Performer), 1970-Cockeyed-Cowboys-of-Calico-County (Performer), 1970-Nanny-and-the-Professor (Performer), 1969-Wake-Me-When-the-War-Is-Over (Performer), 1968-Where-Were-You-When-the-Lights-Went-Out (Performer), 1968-I-Spy (Performer), 1967-The-Garry-Moore-Show (Performer), 1965-Billie (Performer), 1964-Advance-to-the-Rear (Performer), 1963-Sunday-in-New-York (Performer), 1963-McKeever-&-the-Colonel (Performer), 1962-Mister-Magoo's-Christmas-Carol (Performer), 1962-The-Wonderful-World-of-the-Brothers-Grimm (Performer), 1960-The-Bugs-Bunny-Show (Performer), 1960-Make-Room-for-Daddy (Performer), 1960-Inside-Magoo (Performer), 1959-Terror-Faces-Magoo (Performer), 1959-Magoo's-Lodge-Brother (Performer), 1958-Gumshoe-Magoo (Performer), 1958-Love-Comes-to-Magoo (Performer), 1958-Magoo's-Young-Manhood (Performer), 1957-The-Pied-Piper-of-Hamelin (Performer), 1957-Magoo's-Cruise (Performer), 1957-Magoo's-Glorious-Fourth (Performer), 1957-Matador-Magoo (Performer), 1956-Meet-Mother-Magoo (Performer), 1956-You-Can't-Run-Away-from-It (Performer), 1956-The-Opposite-Sex (Performer), 1956-The-Girl-He-Left-Behind (Performer), 1956-The-Naked-Hills (Performer), 1956-Calling-Doctor-Magoo (Performer), 1955-Magoo-Makes-News (Performer), 1955-Stage-Door-Magoo (Performer), 1955-Madcap-Magoo (Performer), 1954-Kangaroo-Courting (Performer), 1954-When-Magoo-Flew (Performer), 1952-1953-All-Star-Revue (Performer), 1952-Pete-Hothead (Performer), 1952-The-Rose-Bowl-Story (Performer), 1952-Deadline---U.S.A. (Performer), 1952-Sloppy-Jalopy (Performer), 1951-The-Man-with-a-Cloak (Performer), 1951-Bright-Victory (Performer), 1951-Hollywood-Story (Performer), 1951-Plutopia (Performer), 1951-Half-Angel (Performer), 1951-M (Performer), 1949-A-Dangerous-Profession (Performer), 1949-One-Last-Fling (Performer), 1948-Where-Will-You-Hide (Performer), 1983-Family-Feud (in person), 1976-The-Mike-Douglas-Show (in person), 1974-Stand-Up-and-Cheer (in person), 1972-The-Virginia-Graham-Show (in person), 1970-Rowan-&-Martin's-Laugh-In (in person), 1970-Della (in person), 1966-1969-The-Tonight-Show-Starring-Johnny-Carson (in person), 1969-The-Barbara-McNair-Show (in person), 1969-The-Merv-Griffin-Show (in person), 1967-The-Smothers-Brothers-Comedy-Hour (in person), 1957-1967-I've-Got-a-Secret (in person), 1966-Continental-Showcase (in person), 1964-Rendezvous-in-Space (in person), 1960-About-Faces (in person)
Theater Credits
Too-Many-Heroes - Performer (November 15, 1937 - November 1937), Hitch-Your-Wagon - Performer (April 8, 1937 - May 1937)
Style
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JIM BACKUS - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 100643Signature: "Jim Backus", 5x3 card. In 1949, for the first time (and for many years after), Backus (1913-1989) provided the voice of the nearsighted Mr. Magoo in the UPA cartoon Ragtime Bear; the actor later claimed that he based this character on his own businessman father.Price: $100.00
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JIM BACKUS - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 168912Black and white publicity photograph of Jim Backus in a stripped jacket wearing glasses signed to a fan. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Selwyn/Best always/Jim Backus". B/w, 8x10.
Sale Price $150.00
$180.00
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JIM BACKUS - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 299900Black and white photograph shown from the film The Pied Piper of Hamelin Photograph Signed: "Jim Backus", B/w 10x8. In 1949, for the first time (and for many years after), Backus (1913-1989) provided the voice of the nearsighted Mr.
Price: $180.00
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JIM BACKUS - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 168996Jim Backus sings a document authorizing General Artists Corporation to accept delivery of checks or sums of money payable to him and to indemnify the corporation for any resulting loss. Typed Document Signed: "Jim Backus", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1962 February 15.
Price: $220.00
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JIM BACKUS - DOCUMENT SIGNED 08/23/1973 - HFSID 269073Document signed: "Jim Backus", 1p, 8x10, matted with a photo of Backus (color, 8x10) to an overall size of 19x12½. No place, 1973 August 23. He has supplied his telephone and social security numbers (blacked out in image).
Sale Price $175.00
$220.00
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BILLIE MOVIE CAST - INSCRIBED PRINTED PHOTOGRAPH SIGNED IN INK WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 216147The actors signed this black and white publicity still from their movie Billie Printed Photograph Inscribed and Signed: "Good wishes to/ John/ from/ Patty Duke Astin" and "To John/ Best Regards/ Jim Backus".
Sale Price $215.00
$260.00
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DON''T MAKE WAVES MOVIE CAST - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 41879Three cast member sign a black and white publicity still from their movie Don't Make Waves. Photograph signed: "Tony Curtis", "To Patty/Jim Backus" and "Me Too!/[drawn heart]/Henny/Backus". B/w, 10x8. Publicity still captioned at lower margin.
Price: $300.00
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GEORGE NADER - AUTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 25768Signature of George Nader and Jim Backus on a piece of paper attached to an album leaf. Signature: "George Nader" and "Jim Backus", 4½x2 piece of paper attached to 7¾x3¼ album leaf with b/w 1½x2¾ of the actors attached (two surfaces).
Price: $120.00
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GILLIGAN'S ISLAND TV CAST - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 148540Bob Denver and Jim Backus sign a black and white publicity still of their TV show Gilligan's Island. Photograph inscribed and signed: "Hi James/Bob Denver/Gilligan" as first mate Gilligan and "To James/Best always/Jim Backus" as millionaire Thurston Howell III. B/w, 8x10.
Price: $300.00
