Jack Hogan, ‘Combat!’ Star, Dies at 94
Jack Hogan, a retired actor who starred in the WWII drama series “Combat!” from 1962 until 1967, died of natural causes on Dec. 6 at his home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, his son West told Variety. He was 94.
Hogan played PFC William G. Kirby on the ABC series “Combat!,” starring Rick Jason, Vic Morrow and Pierre Jalbert. The show, which ran for five seasons, follows a squad of American soldiers fighting the Germans in France during WWII.
Born Richard Roland Benson, Jr. on Nov. 24, 1929, in Chapel Hill, N.C., Hogan earned his pilot’s license at the age of 16 and joined the Air Force after graduation. He spent four years serving as a staff sergeant in Japan during the Korean War.
After moving to Hollywood, Hogan worked as a lifeguard at the Beverly Hills Hotel and began taking acting classes at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Hogan made his onscreen debut as an uncredited role in the 1956 film “Man From Del Rio,” starring Anthony Quinn. He guest starred on multiple television series during the ’50s and ’60s, including “Dr. Christian,” “The Rough Riders,” “Sea Hunt,” “Tombstone Territory,” “Lock Up” “Bat Masterson,” “Lawman,” “87th Precinct” and more. On the film side, Hogan worked on “The Bonnie Parker Story” (1958), “Paratroop Command” (1959), “The Legend of Tom Dooley” (1959) and “The Cat Burglar” (1961).
In addition to acting, Hogan worked in the casting department for “Magnum, P.I.” from 1981 to 1983.
He is survived by his nephew Kipland Howard, ex-wife Joyce Nizzari, daughter Tehani Hogan, son West Hogan, granddaughter Kai and grandson Skyler.
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