On Jack Webb

“Just the Facts” on Jack Webb

Jack Webb achieved fame as a radio, film and television actor, producer and director who created the most popular crime drama of its time…Dragnet…This series brought to the public a “true to life” crime drama experience and set standards that still influence television and motion picture films today. Jack Webb will live forever in the hearts of television fans as the no- nonsense cop brandishing Badge 714. His creation and portrayal of Sergeant Joe Friday on Dragnet has made him an American icon. Webb’s stoic intonation: “This is the city” or “My name’s Friday. I carry a badge.” and Dragnet’s infamous four note introduction (dumm-de-dum- dum) remains a part of American pop culture today.

Webb created a series of realistic radio police dramas based on actual files from the Los Angeles Police Department. Radio Dragnet went on the air for transcontinental broadcast on June 3, 1949 and within two years had catapulted to the status of “the nation’s premium radio show.” Television Dragnet debuted on December 16, 1951 and was an instant success. Jack took Dragnet to the silver screen in 1954 and continued the series until 1959. Dragnet made history when it became the first major television series to emerge from retirement and enjoy a successful comeback. Dragnet 1967 premiered on January 12, 1967, and ran for over three years on NBC until its 98th and final episode in 1970. Television series Adam-12 and Emergency! also accompanied Dragnet as other successful Webb endeavors.

Webb’s daughter Stacy fondly recalled “Jack Webb was one of the most respected men in the business, and his life was his work, but to me he will always be ‘Daddy.’ The man who was the ‘best customer’ at my lemonade stand, and the one who bought my sister Lisa and I tickets to see the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl.”

Born in Santa Monica, California on April 2, 1920 Webb was a poverty stricken and sickly child of the Depression. Perhaps that is why when he became successful in later years, Jack was extremely generous to everyone. Raised mainly by his mother and grandmother, Webb never knew his father. Records have recently surfaced that confirm Webb’s father ironically as a Marine Corps Lieutenant and Federal agent. Throughout his childhood Webb took an interest in art, music and acting and eventually became Student Body President of his high school. He had to decline an art scholarship to the University of Southern California out of financial necessity for his family. Jack could have avoided military duty due to dependant obligations to his mother and grandmother, but loved his country and wanted to contribute to the war effort. After two years in the Army Air Corps, Webb began to pursue his interest in radio, little imagining what the future had in store for him.

Webb’s personal life included four marriages, most notably to singer/actress Julie London and first Miss USA/actress, Jackie Loughery. His first marriage to Ms. London produced two daughters, Stacy and Lisa and one granddaughter Ryann. Jack Webb passed away on December 23, 1982 of “occlusive coronary artery disease.” The Los Angeles Police Department honored Jack’s death as the only civilian at that time to receive funeral services reserved for police officers killed in the line of duty. Such recognition and honors for Jack would surely have been the crowning achievement of his life. Sergeant Joe Friday’s place in radio and television police drama is assured, as is the admirable reputation of Jack Webb.

For further information regarding Jack Webb please contact Jack Webb Archives at the Youtube account listed below. http://www.youtube.com/webbauthority714

Excerpts and references taken from Just the Facts, Ma’am, the Authorized Jack Webb Biography by Daniel Moyer and Gene Alvarez. Copyright Jack Webb Archives