Ken Jenkins

Ken Jenkins (born August 28, 1940) is an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Bob Kelso, the Chief of Medicine on the American comedy series Scrubs (2001–2009). Jenkins has also had notable appearances in many popular TV shows.

For the American football player, see Ken Jenkins (American football).

Ken Jenkins
Born (1940-08-28) August 28, 1940
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1974–present
Spouse(s)
Joan Patchen
​
​
(m. 1958; div. 1969)​
[1]
​
​
(m. 1970)​
Children3; including Daniel Jenkins
RelativesKatharine Hepburn (aunt-in-law)

Early life

Jenkins was born in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Wilbur Wright High School, Ohio in 1958.[2]

Career

In 1969, Jenkins joined Actors Theatre of Louisville under the leadership of Jon Jory where he served as a company member for three years.

Jenkins appeared on episodes of Homefront, The X-Files, Babylon 5, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wiseguy, Early Edition, Beverly Hills, 90210, and starred in Scrubs in the first eight seasons as a main cast member and guest starred in the ninth and final season. His character, Dr. Bob Kelso, is his most recognizable role to date.[3]

Jenkins has appeared in many films throughout his career including The Wizard of Loneliness,[3] Executive Decision, The Abyss, Air America, Last Man Standing, Fled, Gone in 60 Seconds, I Am Sam, The Sum of All Fears, Matewan, Courage Under Fire and the 1998 remake of Psycho. He appeared as the father of Fran Goldsmith in Stephen King's TV miniseries, The Stand. Jenkins also had a role in Clockstoppers.[3]

Jenkins also had a recurring role on Cougar Town, as the father of Jules (played by Courteney Cox).[3] Jenkins also appears in The Blanks' music video for "Guy Love" as the owner of an L.A. bar, as he appeared with The Blanks in Scrubs, most prominently band member Sam Lloyd who starred as regular Ted Buckland.

Jenkins portrayed Representative Howard W. Smith in the 2016 HBO TV movie All the Way, in which Smith's segregationist views posed as a central and divisive opposition to President Lyndon B. Johnson's proposal of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Jenkins was the voice of Blister on Harvey Beaks.

Jenkins can also sing and play the acoustic guitar, and is seen doing so on the Scrubs episodes "My Tuscaloosa Heart" and "My Musical".

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1985What Comes AroundLarry
1987MatewanSephus Purcell
1988The Wizard of LonelinessJoel Spender
1989The AbyssGerard Kirkhill
1989In CountryJim Holly
1990Air AmericaMajor Donald Lemond
1991Edge of HonorBo Dubs
1992Crossing the BridgeLou Morgan
1995Past the BleachersMilton
1996Executive DecisionGeneral Wood
1996Last DanceWarden Laverty
1996Courage Under FireJoel Walden
1996FledWarden Nichols
1996Last Man StandingCapt. Tom Pickett
1998Where's Marlowe?Linguist
1998PsychoDistrict Attorney
1999The Last MarshalJudge Wooley
2000Gone in 60 SecondsTelevangelistUncredited
2000Lucky NumbersDan Schuff
2001The Tailor of PanamaMorecombe
2001I Am SamJudge McNeily
2002ClockstoppersNSA Agent Moore
2002Home RoomPolice Captain
2002The Sum of All FearsAdmiral Pollack
2007Welcome to ParadiseReverend McNamara

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993Mad About YouJack Farrer
1994The StandPeter Goldsmith
Homefront
2001The X-FilesDeputy Chief Karras
Babylon 5
1989Star Trek: The Next GenerationDr. Paul Stubbs
Wiseguy
Early Edition
1999Beverly Hills, 90210Pastor Neal
2000SlidersProfessor Jack Bigelow
2001-2010ScrubsDoctor Robert Kelso
2010–2015Cougar TownChick
2018 A Series of Unfortunate Events Elder Sam

References
  1. "Father, son appear together on stage". The News and Courier. April 6, 1986. pp. 8–E. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  2. Hopkins, Tom (November 16, 1992). "For Father And Son, Prime-Time Roles Are As Easy As ABC". Dayton Daily News. p. 3B.
  3. "Ken Jenkins - IMDb". imdb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
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