Ike Jones
Encyclopedia
Ike Jones is a producer and actor who is perhaps best known as the former husband of actress Inger Stevens
. He also has the distinction of being the first black graduate of UCLA Film School in June 1953 and the first black person to serve as a producer on a major motion picture.
studied motion picture production at UCLA
. While at UCLA, he was also star end for the Bruin football team.
, was drafted in the 25th round by the Green Bay Packers
in the 1953 NFL Draft
.
That same year, Jones worked as an actor in bit parts and served as an assistant director on The Joe Lewis Story. Later on in the decade, Jones worked as an assistant producer for Hill-Hecht Lancaster Company. After that production company folded, Harry Belafonte
hired him as vice president of development for Harbel Productions.
In the 1960s, Jones headed Nat King Cole
's Kell-Cole Productions. After the singer's death, he was hired as a producer on A Man Called Adam, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr.
This was the first time that an African American was hired as a producer on a major motion picture.
Award by the Producers Guild of America
.
Inger Stevens
Inger Stevens was a Swedish-American movie and TV actress.- Early life :Inger Stevens was born Inger Stensland in Stockholm, Sweden. She was an insecure child and was often ill. When she was nine, her parents divorced and she moved with her father to New York City...
. He also has the distinction of being the first black graduate of UCLA Film School in June 1953 and the first black person to serve as a producer on a major motion picture.
Background
Jones, a native of Santa Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
studied motion picture production at UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. While at UCLA, he was also star end for the Bruin football team.
Career
After graduating from UCLA, Jones, who also played footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, was drafted in the 25th round by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in the 1953 NFL Draft
1953 NFL Draft
The 1953 National Football League Draft was held on January 22, 1953.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
.
That same year, Jones worked as an actor in bit parts and served as an assistant director on The Joe Lewis Story. Later on in the decade, Jones worked as an assistant producer for Hill-Hecht Lancaster Company. After that production company folded, Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte
Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
hired him as vice president of development for Harbel Productions.
In the 1960s, Jones headed Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
's Kell-Cole Productions. After the singer's death, he was hired as a producer on A Man Called Adam, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
This was the first time that an African American was hired as a producer on a major motion picture.
Recognition
In 1995 he became the first recipient of the Oscar MicheauxOscar Micheaux
Oscar Devereaux Micheaux was an American author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films...
Award by the Producers Guild of America
Producers Guild of America
Producers Guild of America is a trade organization representing television producers, film producers and New Media producers in the United States. The PGA's membership includes over 4,700 members of the producing establishment worldwide...
.