James Wesley Dodd (March 28, 1910 – November 10, 1964) was an American actor, singer, and songwriter best known as the master of ceremonies for the popular 1950s Walt Disney television series The Mickey Mouse Club, as well as the writer of its well-known theme song, "The Mickey Mouse Club March". A different version of this march, much slower in tempo and with different lyrics, became the alma mater that closed each episode.
Dodd grew up in Cincinnati. where he was an outstanding amateur tennis player, even reaching the round of 16 twice at his hometown tournament, now known as the Cincinnati Open. Later, a heart ailment made him ineligible to serve in combat in World War II, but his wife Ruth and he traveled extensively, entertaining the troops.
Television other than The Mickey Mouse Club
In addition to his small role in an early episode of Adventures of Superman titled "Double Trouble", Dodd appeared as a deputy in the 1955 episode "Sontag and Evans" of the syndicated television series Stories of the Century. The segment was based on the California train robbers Chris Evans and John Sontag.
The Mickey Mouse Club
Dodd came to the attention of Walt Disney after submitting a song for the show. Disney was impressed by Dodd's outgoing personality and rapport with the younger members of the cast and signed him to a seven-year contract. John Updike's novel Rabbit, Run makes reference to Dodd and his appearance on a Mickey Mouse Club episode.
Death
Dodd died of a staphylococcal infection at age 54 on November 10, 1964, in Honolulu. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife, Ruth.
References
Further reading
- From Club Court to Center Court by Phillip S. Smith (2008 edition)