Roy Jenson (b. February 9 1927, Calgary, Alberta, Canada - d. April 24 2007, Los Angeles, California) was a Canadian-born actor.
Born in Calgary, he moved to Los Angeles with his family as a child. He joined the U.S. Navy and then graduated from UCLA. then became a professional Canadian football player for the Calgary Stampeders, the Montreal Alouettes and finally the British Columbia Lions.
Remembered by many as the first man beaten up by Caine on the television show Kung Fu (1972), for his appearance in the Star Trek episode "The Omega Glory" and as the villain Puddler in The Moving Target, he worked frequently in television in the '70s and '80s. A prolific character actor, he appeared in such films as Warlock, Al Capone, How the West Was Won, Waterhole #3, Our Man Flint, Big Jake, Harper, Soylent Green, The Getaway, The Way We Were, The Outfit and Chinatown.
He also worked frequently with directors John Milius (The Wind and the Lion, Red Dawn) and Clint Eastwood (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Gauntlet, Every Which Way but Loose, Any Which Way You Can, Honkytonk Man), as well as actor Geoffrey Lewis. Staff report (May 4, 2007). Roy Jenson, 80; football player became actor who often portrayed bad guys. Los Angeles Times
Jenson died of cancer in Los Angeles, aged 80. Staff report (May 2, 2007). blank">Roy Jenson, 80, actor _Variety
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 Great Escape, The (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).
