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JAMES BOYD Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JAMES BOYD
Sponsored by His Loving Daughter.
Will Crump
June 26, 2025
Mr. Boyd, thank you for giving '70s kids J. Arthur Crank! I never missed an episode of "The Electric Company".
Sanjay Angi Naidu Kumar
January 9, 2023
Jim Boyd had an enormous on my upbringing as a boy in Fairbanks, Alaska. Our entire kindergarten class was sent a special letter from the school suggesting to parents that their kids should watch
"The Electric Company" to improve their reading.
TEC was like Saturday Night Live for us kids, with the funniest and most clever skits that cannot be matched even today. Jim Boyd was by far the funniest actor in the cast. "The And Sandwich" and "Steve Awesome" skits are some of my most favorite of his performances.
Today, our 2 Dearest Children:
Sanjay Arman Kumar II &
Sanjana Shafali Shaharazade
watch his skits every day to continue our
Kumar Family tradition as die hard fans of TEC.
You will remain in our family's hearts forever.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar M.D.
Mrs. Radha Kumar & Family
Heather Ferreira
September 27, 2022
Jim was a gracious human being and a gifted and generous actor. He was also the first Electric Company talent to happily and freely talk with me about his experience at CTW. Funny, frank, such a cheerful guy, and filled with amusing, insightful anecdotes about his career.
One of the Irish greats. We will never see his like again, and I miss him today with a broken heart.
Cass Maguire
December 9, 2019
I've been trying to find Jim and Kathleen (Kass) online for years. I finally found this sight tonight, and was shocked he is no longer with us. To Kass and all his loved ones, my heart and sincere sympathies go out to you all. My mom Kathryn was married to Kass' brother, Frank.
My mom loved Jimmy and Kathleen. She passed 4 months before Jim.
We lived on Ontario Street in Philadelphia, just a couple doors away from Kass and Frank's parents.
Sending you all love and hugs.
Ross Goodwin
May 13, 2018
Thank you for making my childhood so special Mr. Boyd. I love you very much and look forward to seeing you in Heaven when the Lord Jesus calls me Home...
Julie Witt
February 18, 2018
My favorite TEC actor.
Ted Dettmann
November 6, 2017
My childhood was graced by the presence of Mr. Boyd through his many characters on The Electric Company. I am so grateful for legacy and gift he has left for us to remember and enjoy.
Lisa Fybush
October 30, 2017
I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Boyd in 2002. When his wife was describing him so I'd recognize him when I saw him, she told me he was now white-haired and wore glasses, but he had the same smile. It was very true. Such a lovely, funny man.
Bob Tavares
March 6, 2017
I thought Jim was so funny as J. Arthur Crank on "The Electric Company". I will really miss him. :(
lou modestino
January 24, 2016
I enjoyed the electric company and remember him as the character crank. he really made me laugh!!
Greg Jude
October 26, 2015
Thank you, sir, for making my childhood so very entertaining. Rest in peace...
July 14, 2015
He was great and stood out in a strong cast. I was glad to see Kass' entry here and read that he was so loved by his wife. 59 years they were married! He is missed by his many friends.
Carl Franks
March 12, 2015
Grew up watching The Electric Company and I will always remember Jim Boyd for his characters of Paul The Gorilla, The Blue Beetle J. Arthur Crank who had the famous line, "Who the dummy writing this show?" RIP, Jim.
Grey Corso
February 17, 2015
I met Jim through friends and spent time at his house in the Poconos? I was a kid and he was simply great. He collected tins and he gave me one to start my collecting! He was kind, gentle and clearly everyone loved him. Just learned of his passing. I think of him and will pray for him.
Cathy & Shane Matsumoto
December 16, 2013
We were watching The Electric Company tonight for just kicks. A flood of memories came rushing back. Thank you so much, Frank the Krank. Your legacy lives on and you are still making kids young and old laugh and love learning. May your family sm ile...SMILE, knowing how people around the world love you and will never forget you!
Andrew Torres
November 9, 2013
Sad to hear of Mr. Boyd's passing. I grew up watching him, and my daughter will grow up watching him on the Electric Company DVD's. Condolences to his family.
November 8, 2013
it's hard to believe that monday november 11 would've been your 80th birthday,rip jim,& thank you so very much for many fond memories of seeing you on the electric company. happy birthday jim!
S. Simas
August 14, 2013
I was a fan of Mr. Boyed work on the Electric company, I think I loved wathing that show more then my baby sister at the time. as well as His voicing Lorali the Hen on the Sandy Becker Show.
Mike
July 19, 2013
Just now saw this via the IMDB website and am saddened at Jim's passing. As many here have described, I also grew up watching TEC and have grown to look back at that show and the amazing efforts by all to make that show what it was. A true labor of love beyond just a paycheck. For those TEC cast and crew surviving, please know your efforts were fruitful and greatly appreciated by thousands if not millions. Jim will be missed.
June 16, 2013
Happy Father's Day, Dad. We miss you so much. xxoo
Todd Weeks
June 1, 2013
Like so many others, I grew up watching Mr. Boyd and loved his style and humor. Recently, my 3 year old has become obsessed with the show, and I take a lot of pleasure revisiting this wonderful world, helping my daughter understand each lesson, watching her laugh while putting letters and sounds and words together. Thank you Mr. Boyd. Rest in Peace.
David Ross
May 10, 2013
I even remember his appearance on PBS' 3 2 1 Contact. He was a man of several faces and they will never be forgotten by me or my brother.
Andrew Martin
May 6, 2013
I only just learned of this now and I'm so sorry to hear it. I'm a lifelong fan of "The Electric Company" and Jim was an absolutely brilliant entertainer. All my deepest condolences to Kathleen and the family as well as his Electric Company family.
Jean Simonson
April 24, 2013
Jim was my brother in law and 'uncle Jim' to my 5 children. He was much loved as a family man , a teacher by example ,an entertainer , and an enjoyer of life. what a gift to have known him.
April 23, 2013
I met Jim at a dance at St. Ann's Church when I was 14 and he was 16. We married 4 years later. 59 years of marriage was truly an adventure I wouldn't have missed for the world. It ended too soon. I wasn't ready. I'm still not. He wasn't just the love of my life, he was my life. Kass.
Russ
April 21, 2013
I was very shocked to hear of Jim's passing. He will ALWAYS be J. Arthur Crank; The Blue Beetle; Krojak; the Werewolf; one-half of the Corsican Twins; Spider-Man villains the Can Crusher, the Birthday Bandit and the Wall; and greedy Greg who grabbed the green grapes.
My brother and I are in our 40s, and although we live in different states now, we STILL sing the "Crank-Cranks-Crank-Cranks" song when he was demonstrating the plural form of "s". ("An S on the end/Can give you a clue/That instead of just one/What you get is a few...")
No need to be sad. Methinks he would want his family, friends and fans to always remember the gentleness and hilarity that he brought to this EC fan.
RIP Jim. As they used to say on EC: "Taxi!"
Patti Heath
April 21, 2013
I remember watching you play Kojak and other characters on the Electric Company when I was a kid in the 70s. You were a great actor and will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.
Julie (Skip's daughter) Buchanan
April 9, 2013
Thank you for the pictures. Looking at them, I can hear Jim's voice, and his loud, deep laugh. My memories are of all the laughter, that real belly gut, ribs hurtin' laughter. Kass and Jeannie, sending you love.
Chris Hinnant
April 7, 2013
I have wonderful memories of Jim & Kass. They made us laugh so hard, our sides hurt! He will be greatly missed.
Debra Roberts-Crum
April 6, 2013
How delightful to see more pictures added to Mr. Boyd's gallery. It's good to see a picture of what he looked like back in the day (though I never really forgot what he looked like) and I almost forgot about the Blue Beetle -- that was a funny character! Thank you for keeping the Guest Book online, and remember, as long as you and your family are here, he'll never be gone.
April 5, 2013
April 5, 2013
April 5, 2013
March 26, 2013
Kass, Jeannie, my deepest condolences. I remember Jim was a train man.
Morgan
MuzikJunky
February 10, 2013
A genius actor and gifted comedian who was instrumental in so many wonderful childhood memories. Peace.
January 22, 2013
Just this past weekend I played the "I Was Young Once Too" from the Electric Co. on You Tube for my boys. Noticed the posts and realized the sad news. The experience of seeing that and hearing this news hit me deeply. My deepest condolences to the Boyd family. And to Mr. Boyd...thanks for the memories.
Matthew Brady
January 18, 2013
I grew up watching Jim in the Electric Company. Twenty years later, we were next door apartment neighbors in NYC. We became close friends. Many wonderful dinners and happy times were spent with Jim and Kathleen. We will miss him so much. Matthew Brady and Jordi Zarroca
Andrew Lec;erc
January 17, 2013
I loved Jim on The Electric Company, but my memory of him will be the fact that a few years ago, he graciously took the time to anser a fan letter I sent him, just when I needed a little morale boost. Your kindness to me will not be forgotten
Carlos C
January 16, 2013
...and now the "n't" music skit will be more poignant than ever. To the Boyd Family my deepest sympathy. RIP "Paul" & "Crank". Thank you for teaching me as a child, Mr. Boyd
Christopher Bligh
January 15, 2013
Jimmy was one of the best and reminded me of many of my teachers in grade school...RIP J. Arthur Crank...thank you for being one of the lights of my world when watching The Electric Company!
MR. BOYD WITH LEE CHAMBERLAIN AND FRANK OZ PERFORMED GROVER MONSTER
January 11, 2013
FROM THE ELECTRIC COMPANY MAGAZINE PAGE 1
January 11, 2013
Miriam Hinnant
January 11, 2013
I have so many wonderful (and funny!) memories of Jim. He was delightful on the Electric Company and in real life. I loved the times spent with him and Kass. They are wonderful memories of lots of laughter.
Reid Hopkins
January 10, 2013
I loved you as "Andy" and "Crank" on "The Electric Company." Miss you terribly! R.I.P.
Debra Roberts-Crum
January 7, 2013
Greatly enjoyed watching Jim Boyd on "The Electric Company" and so sorry to hear and read about his passing. Deepest condolences to you, the family.
michael thomas
January 7, 2013
i grew up watching the electric company & remembered that it came after sesame street & mr.rogers' neighborhood & before zoom which aired after the electric company,it was & continues to be one of my favorite shows it's very sad that jim boyd is gone.r.i.p. jim & thank you!
Debra Roberts-Crum
January 7, 2013
To the James A. Boyd Family,
Your loved one gave many hours of fun and pleasure to those who watched him on "The Electric Company" (which I watched regularly) and other projects. He made J. Arthur Crank a likeable person. Am truly sad to hear of his passing; for Child and Grandchild: just know that as long as you are here, he will always be around. My deepest condolences.
Derek Eustice
January 7, 2013
I grew up watching Mr. Boyd on THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, and have to admit he was the most versatile and talented of the entire cast. So sad to learn of his passing. My prayers go out to his family.
Derek Eustice
January 7, 2013
I grew up watching THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, in my hometown, in LaSalle, Illinois, and always considered Jim Boyd as the most versatile actor of the entire cast. So saddened to learn of his passing away.
January 7, 2013
Jimmy always spoke of Jeannie and Kathleen. Jimmy was great fun to work with and I send love and my deepest sympathies to his adored family. With heartfelt blessings to you all, Lee Chamberlin
Walter Breitzke
January 6, 2013
I am sad to learn of Mr. Boyd's passing. I only knew him thru his work on "The Electrical Company", but he was always very enjoyable and created many fond childhood memories.
Melanie Henderson
January 6, 2013
Jim was a sweet, funny, down to earth person-- I worked with him as a teenager on The Electric Company and he was simply an all around good guy to spend those long days with. He will be missed.
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