Dean Jones (actor)

Dean Carroll Jones (born January 25, 1931) is an American actor. Jones is best known for his light-hearted leading roles in several Walt Disney movies between 1965 and 1977, most notably The Love Bug.

Early years

Jones was born in Decatur, Alabama to Andrew Guy Jones and his wife Nolia Elizabeth White. Jones served in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and after his discharge worked at the Bird Cage Theater at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California.

He attended Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, as a member of its Class of 1953 but did not graduate. However, the university awarded him an honorary degree in 2002, and he spoke at the ceremonies for the dedication of Asbury's Andrew S. Miller Center for Communications Arts on March 4, 2011.

Stage

After appearing in minor film and television roles, Jones made his Broadway debut (along with Jane Fonda) in the 1960 play There Was a Little Girl. He stepped into the role in Boston on only one day's notice. Later that year, he played Dave Manning in the Broadway comedy Under the Yum-Yum Tree, a role he repeated in the 1963 movie version starring Jack Lemmon.

After achieving success in film and television, Jones was set to return to Broadway as the star of Stephen Sondheim and George...
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