Jess Barker


Jess Barker was an American film actor of the 1930s and 1940s. He is probably most famous for being the first husband of actress Susan Hayward.

Early years

Barker was born in Greenville, South Carolina.

Career

Barker began his film career credited as Philip Barker until changing his stage name to Jess Barker in the early 1940s.
Barker's movie career was damaged because of the publicity resulting from a custody dispute, but he still managed to find work as an actor on radio and films in supporting roles. Barker appeared in Scarlet Street and the Abbott and Costello film The Time of Their Lives. He also made two guest appearances on Perry Mason. In 1961 he played defendant Walter Eastman in "The Case of the Injured Innocent," and in 1965 he played Doug Hamilton in "The Case of the Murderous Mermaid."

Personal life

Barker wed Susan Hayward on July 23, 1944. They had twin sons together during their ten-year marriage, whose custody was won by Hayward after a bitter court battle.
In 1956, Barker lost a paternity suit in Los Angeles. Judge Walter H. Odemar ruled that Barker was the father of Morgana, a daughter born to actress Yvonne Doughty.
He died of liver failure.

Filmography