Jack-Hanlon-Obituary

Jack Hanlon

Obituary

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Jack Hanlon, who had roles in the 1926 silent classic "The General" and in two 1927 "Our Gang" comedies, died Thursday in Las Vegas, family members said Sunday. He was 96.

The precocious, freckle-faced Hanlon was a natural as a child actor from 1926 to 1933, said his niece, Wendy Putnam Park of Las Vegas.

"He was absolutely the sweetest, most charming man," Park told The Associated Press. "He loved talking about being in the movies if you brought the subject up. He loved sharing stories about being in them."

After a small role with Buster Keaton in "The General," he played mischievous kids in two of Hal Roach's "Our Gang/Little Rascals" films: "The Glorious Fourth" and "Olympic Games."

Hanlon also played an orphan in the 1929 drama "The Shakedown," and got an on-screen kiss from Greta Garbo in the 1930 film "Romance."

He appeared in eight more "talkies" in the 1930s before calling it a career at the age of 16. He rarely made more than $5 a day.

His friend, Bob Satterfield, told the Las Vegas Sun that he watched the Our Gang films and "The General" with Hanlon.

"He told me it was like watching someone else because it was a lifetime ago ... Jack led a full life," Satterfield, a Southern California high school activities director and silent film buff, told the Sun.

After leaving Hollywood, Hanlon became an Army paratrooper and mover for Allied Van Lin es. He had resided in Las Vegas for 18 years, Park said, and lived in his own home until October when he moved to an assisted living center.

"Surprisingly, he was in good physical shape until two months ago," Park said. "He liked being independent and watching old movies on TV. He basically died of old age."

He will be buried in Santa Monica, California, along with his wife of 37 years, Jean.

Survivors include two other nieces and a nephew.

By MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

love little rascals RIP

rest in peace.

REMEMBER LITTLE RASCALS & Enjoyed them. Sorry for ur loss. RIP & condolence to ur family & friends..:'-(

I'm sorry for your loss. I loved old movies. He is one of the last from that time. May he rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to the Hanlon family. May God be with you in this time of grief.

TO JACK'S FAMILY,MAY YOU BE COMFORTED BY THESE WORDS."YOU ARE OPENING YOUR HAND AND SATISFYING THE DESIRE OF EVERY LIVING THING,"(PSLM.145:16)..MS.M

I am a sorry to hear about your loss. the bible can be of some comfort at john 3:16

Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing God has promised He will do away with sickness, pain and death for His word is truth.

Jack brought laughter to my tough childhood and made life better for not only my brothers and I, but for many of our friends as well. May God treat him special like he deserves, and may he truly rest in peace.