Biography for
Roy Jenson (I)

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Date of Birth

9 February 1927, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Date of Death

24 April 2007, Los Angeles, California, USA (cancer)

Estatura

6' 2" (1.88 m)

Esposo/a

Marina Petrova	(1964 - 24 April 2007) (his death)
Dionysius, Barbara	(? - ?) 3 children

Trivialidades

Played football for UCLA, then professionally for the Calgary Stampeders and the Montreal Alouettes.

Was the first man beaten up by Caine on "Kung Fu" (1972).

Doubled for Robert Mitchum.

First wife Barbara Dionysius was his college sweetheart. They had three children: Martin, Morgan and Sasha.

Met his second wife, European actress Marina Petrova (aka Marina Petrowa), while filming The Great Escape (1963) in Germany.

Had an affinity for the ocean -- fishing, camping, diving.

In addition to his second wife, three sons and brother, he was survived by seven grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

Played Roman Polanski's henchman in the famous knife-to-the-nose sequence with Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974).

Born in Calgary, Canada, but moved to Los Angeles with his mother and brother George at age 7 and attended South Gate High School.

Joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 during WWII and served on a destroyer in the Pacific.

A former UCLA footballer, he earned a BA in geography at UCLA in 1951 before going on to play pro football for Canada.

While playing professional football in Canada (Calgary Stampeders, B.C. Lions), he was utilized as a stunt double for River of No Return (1954) starring Robert Mitchum. Moved to Hollywood thereafter to do stunt work and eventually took on a number of bit roles.

Canadian-born pro footballer-turned-stuntman-turned-character actor, best known for his film and TV heavies in late 60s and 70s westerns and crime stories.

Was a Western All-Star in the Canadian Football League in 1954.

Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).

Personal Quotes

"I really like playing the nasty heavies. And I've always enjoyed working and paying the bills. But as I get older, I wouldn't mind some roles where I can play a nice Daddy or Grandpa! After all, Hollywood is still a dream world." (from a 1987 interview)

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