Jon Shepodd
Encyclopedia
Jon Shepodd is an American actor.
On television, he was the first actor to play the role of Paul Martin
in the long running series Lassie
, making his debut mid-fourth season (1957) opposite Cloris Leachman
as his wife Ruth Martin
.
The two performers appeared for the remainder of the fourth season (27 episodes) but were released upon completion of filming in March 1958 after ratings plunged and letters to the producers indicated strong disapproval of the icy Leachman.
Though no fan complaints had been registered against Shepodd, it was felt he needed to be released with Leachman as a "new wife" for him would be difficult to explain to an audience composed mainly of children. Paul and Ruth Martin were thereafter played by Hugh Reilly and June Lockhart until the characters were dropped in the eleventh season (1964).
In the film Attack
(1956), he plays Cpl. John Jackson, the orderly to the unpopular Captain Cooney (Eddie Albert
). During an opening sequence, Jackson irritates the other men in the unit who are queuing up for coffee, when he jumps the queue. He also appeared as Jesus Christ in The Power of the Resurrection (1958), in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
(1962), and as Alredi in The Garment Jungle
(1957).
On television, he was the first actor to play the role of Paul Martin
Paul Martin (television character)
Paul Martin is a fictional character on the long running television series, Lassie . Paul is a farmer, and the husband of Ruth, a housewife. The couple are adoptive parents of Timmy, a foster child living on a small farm in the American midwest that the couple purchase...
in the long running series Lassie
Lassie (1954 TV series)
Lassie is an American television series that follows the adventures of a female Rough Collie named Lassie and her companions, human and animal. The show was the creation of producer Robert Maxwell and animal trainer Rudd Weatherwax and was televised from September 12, 1954, to March 24, 1973...
, making his debut mid-fourth season (1957) opposite Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman is an American actress of stage, film and television. She has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards—more than any other performer—and one Daytime Emmy Award...
as his wife Ruth Martin
Ruth Martin (television character)
Ruth Martin is a fictional character on the long running television series, Lassie . She was briefly played by Cloris Leachman before June Lockhart stepped into the role...
.
The two performers appeared for the remainder of the fourth season (27 episodes) but were released upon completion of filming in March 1958 after ratings plunged and letters to the producers indicated strong disapproval of the icy Leachman.
Though no fan complaints had been registered against Shepodd, it was felt he needed to be released with Leachman as a "new wife" for him would be difficult to explain to an audience composed mainly of children. Paul and Ruth Martin were thereafter played by Hugh Reilly and June Lockhart until the characters were dropped in the eleventh season (1964).
In the film Attack
Attack (1956 film)
Attack, also known as Attack!, is a 1956 American war film. It was directed by Robert Aldrich and starred Jack Palance, Eddie Albert, Lee Marvin, William Smithers, Robert Strauss, Richard Jaeckel, Buddy Ebsen and Peter van Eyck...
(1956), he plays Cpl. John Jackson, the orderly to the unpopular Captain Cooney (Eddie Albert
Eddie Albert
Edward Albert Heimberger , known professionally as Eddie Albert, was an American actor and activist. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1954 for his performance in Roman Holiday, and in 1973 for The Heartbreak Kid.Other well-known screen roles of his include Bing...
). During an opening sequence, Jackson irritates the other men in the unit who are queuing up for coffee, when he jumps the queue. He also appeared as Jesus Christ in The Power of the Resurrection (1958), in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (film)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American psychological thriller film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The screenplay by Lukas Heller is based on the novel of the same name by Henry Farrell...
(1962), and as Alredi in The Garment Jungle
The Garment Jungle
The Garment Jungle is a 1957 American crime film noir directed by Vincent Sherman and Robert Aldrich and written by Lester Velie and Harry Kleiner. The drama features Gia Scala, Lee J. Cobb, Kerwin Matthews and Richard Boone, among others.-Plot:...
(1957).