James Morris Newill Death
James passed away on July 31, 1975 at the age of 63 in Thousand Oaks, California, USA. James's cause of death was cancer.
When did James Morris Newill die?
July 31, 1975How did James Morris Newill die? What was the cause of death?
CancerHow old was James Morris Newill when died?
63Where did James Morris Newill die? What was the location of death?
Thousand Oaks, California, USA
James Morris Newill Birthday and Date of Death
James Morris Newill was born on August 12, 1911 and died on July 31, 1975. James was 63 years old at the time of death.
Birthday: August 12, 1911
Date of Death: July 31, 1975
Age at Death: 63
James Morris Newill - Biography
Newill, one of Hollywood's largely unsung singing cowboys, began his career as a tenor with the Los Angeles Light Opera company in the early 30's. By the middle of the decade, he fronted the microphone as a vocalist with various society orchestras, including those of Gus Arnheim, Phil Harris and Eddy Duchin. He was briefly on air with the Burns & Allen radio show (broadcast by CBS) and also had a spell in vaudeville. In 1937, he was spotted by one of the myriad of talent scouts roaming the state and so commenced on the Hollywood western trail. His first port of call was Poverty Row outfit Grand National, a studio which inaugurated filming the popular boys adventure yarn Renfrew of the Royal Mounted. After the initial two instalments, Newill appeared as the titular hero in another five (with ever-declining production values) for Monogram. He was briefly on loan-outs to Fox and RKO between 1941 and 1942 and made Decca recordings with the Victor Young Orchestra. He then popped up as Texas Ranger Jim Steele in 14 episodic low-budget westerns for bottom-of-the-drawer company PRC. In between filming, he and co-star Dave O'Brien also tried their hand at goat farming. In 1944, Newill was replaced by Tex Ritter and left the range (and screen acting) for greener pastures on the New York stage. In the 1950's and 60's, he undertook a variety of occupations: operating a sawmill, disk-jockeying for a classical radio station, running a kiddies ride business and even trying his hand (without much financial success) at making fiberglass speedboats. He retired in 1971.
