Kenneth Howell

Kenneth Howell (February 21, 1913 - September 28, 1966) was an American actor. He is best remembered for roles in films such as Pardon My Pups, The Wrong Way Out (1938), Pride of the Bowery (1940) and Ball of Fire (1941), in which he played a college boy. He also played Jack Jones in the 17 low-budget Jones Family films, beginning with Every Saturday Night (1936) and ending with On Their Own (1940).

Howell was born in Los Angeles. He joined the Navy during World War II as a medical corpsman, but once he returned to the film business he was not able to revive his career. His last film role was In Old Amarillo (1951). Howell was married to Marguerite A. Thomson from 1942 to 1945, divorcing her after he realized he was gay. They had one daughter, Stephanie, born in September 1943, however, Howell did not remain in her life after 1948 when she was five years of age. His death at age 53, in Long Beach, California, resulted from a self-inflicted gunshot, reportedly a suicide.

Partial filmography

1933: The Ironmaster - Party Boy (uncredited) 1933: The Eagle and the Hawk - John Stevens 1933: Ladies Must Love - Messenger (uncredited) 1933: Saturday's Millions - Student (uncredited) 1934: Eight Girls in a Boat - Student (uncredited) 1934: Pardon My Pups (Short) - Harry Vanderpool 1934: I Give My Love - Frank Howard 1934: She Had to Choose - Announcer 1935: Old Man Rhythm - College Boy (uncredited) 1935: Annapolis Farewell - David David (uncredited) 1935: One Way Ticket - Boy (uncredited) 1936: The Little Red Schoolhouse - Schuyler Tree 1936: Every Saturday Night - Jack Evers 1936: Melody in May (Short) - Chuck Benton 1936: Educating Father - Jack Jones 1936: Back to Nature - Jack Jones 1936: Four Days' Wonder - Tom Fenton 1937: Off to the Races - Jack Jones 1937: A Star Is Born - Milton Rails (uncredited) 1937: The Jones Family in Big Business - Jack Jones 1937: Hot Water - Jack Jones 1937: Borrowing Trouble - Jack Jones 1938: Love on a Budget - Jack Jones 1938: A Trip to Paris - Jack Jones 1938: Safety in Numbers - Jack Jones 1938: Girls' School - Edgar 1938: Down on the Farm - Jack Jones 1938: The Wrong Way Out (Short) - Windy Brown 1939: Everybody's Baby - Jack Jones 1939: The Jones Family in Hollywood - Jack Jones 1939: Quick Millions - Jack Jones 1939: Too Busy to Work - Jack Jones 1940: Young as You Feel - Jack Jones 1940: On Their Own - Jack Jones 1940: Junior G-Men (Serial) - Harry Trent 1940: Pride of the Bowery - Alan 1941: Nice Girl? - Pete (uncredited) 1941: Her First Beau - Roger Van Vleck 1941: Hurry, Charlie, Hurry - Jerry Grant 1941: Henry Aldrich for President - Irwin Barrett 1941: Ball of Fire - College Boy 1942: Girls' Town - Kenny Lane 1942: Scattergood Rides High - Phillip Dane 1942: Sweater Girl - Miles Tucker 1942: Orchestra Wives - Teen Ager (uncredited) 1945: The Master Key (Serial) - Boys' Club Member (uncredited) 1951: In Old Amarillo - Phil Hills (final film role)