Jon Shepodd

Hugh Goodwin (December 19, 1927 – August 16, 2017), better known as Jon Shepodd, was an American actor. On television, he was the first actor to play the role of Paul Martin in the long-running series Lassie[1] Shepodd appeared as a guest star on Lassie in Season 3 in the episode "Lassie's Day" (broadcast February 10, 1957) as "Al" the delivery man for Martha's Bakery.

Jon Shepodd
Shepodd in the Lassie TV series (1957)
Born
Manley Hugh Goodwin, Jr

December 19, 1927
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedAugust 16, 2017 (aged 89)
London, England, U.K.
OccupationActor
Years active1952–1964

He was liked well enough to secure the main role of Timmy's father, Paul, in Season 4 when the series transitioned from the Miller family to the Martin family.

Career

Lassie

As Paul Martin, Shepodd made his second Lassie series appearance in the middle of Season 4 in the episode "Transition" (broadcast December 1, 1957) playing opposite Cloris Leachman as his wife Ruth Martin. In this episode the Martin couple agrees to adopt Timmy, and to take over the farm for the departing Miller family, who are moving to the city after the death of Gramps. Lassie is given to Timmy by Jeff, and thus remains on the farm.

Both Shepodd and Leachman appeared for the remainder of the fourth season (27 episodes). Leachman, however, did not have a signed contract and left at the end of Season 4, citing her role was not challenging enough for her. The producers decided to release Shepodd in the wake of the departing Leachman as they felt casting him with a "new wife" would be difficult to explain to an audience composed mainly of children. The characters Paul and Ruth Martin were thereafter played by Hugh Reilly and June Lockhart.

Films

In the film Attack (1956), he plays Cpl. John Jackson, the orderly to the unpopular Captain Cooney (Eddie Albert).[2] In an opening sequence, Jackson irritates the other men in the unit who are queuing up for coffee, when he jumps the queue.[3] He appeared in such films as The Power of the Resurrection (1958), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), and The Garment Jungle (1957).[2]

Death

Shepodd died in August 2017 in London at the age of 89.[4]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1953The Mississippi GamblerBit PartUncredited
1955The Return of Jack SladeJohnny Turner
1956AttackCpl. John Jackson - Fox Co. (communications)
1956The Garment JungleAlfrediUncredited
1957Dragoon Wells MassacreTom
1957Oregon PassageLt. Baird Dolby
1958The Power of the ResurrectionJesus Christ
1960I'll Give My LifeBob Conners
1962What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?Police Officer #5

References
  1. Jenkins, Henry. "Lassie". Museum of Broadcast Communications
  2. Shepodd Jon Shepodd references, nytimes.com; accessed May 1, 2016.
  3. Body and Soul: The Cinematic Vision of Robert Aldrich by Tony Williams
  4. Jon Shepodd, the First Paul Martin on 'Lassie,' Dies at 89
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