Junior Durkin
Trent "Junior" Durkin (July 2, 1915 – May 4, 1935) was an American stage and film actor.
Junior Durkin | |
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![]() Durkin in Hell's House (1932) | |
Born | Trent Bernard Durkin July 2, 1915 New York, New York, U.S. |
Died | May 4, 1935 19) San Diego, California, U.S. | (aged
Cause of death | Road accident |
Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, California |
Nationality | American |
Other names | Junior Dirkin Trent Durkin |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1923–1935 |
Career
Trent Bernard Durkin was born in New York City in 1915. He began his acting career in theater as a child. Durkin first appeared in films in 1930, playing the role of Huckleberry Finn in Tom Sawyer (1930) and in Huckleberry Finn (1931), both times with Jackie Coogan playing Tom Sawyer. Under contract to RKO Radio Pictures, he was cast in a series of "B" films in comedy roles that capitalized on his gangly appearance. He co-starred in Hell's House (1932) with then newcomer Bette Davis.
RKO began grooming him for more adult roles. In his final film Chasing Yesterday (1935), he was billed as Trent Durkin.
Death
In 1935, Durkin was returning from a hunting trip in Mexico with Jackie Coogan and three others, including Coogan's father and writer Robert Horner. Coogan's father had to swerve to avoid colliding with a car coming straight at him, and his car left the road, rolling repeatedly until it landed in a creek bed. The accident occurred about 50 miles (80 km) from San Diego, California.[1] Jackie Coogan was the only survivor.
At the time, Durkin was living with agent Henry Willson, and they were rumored to be lovers.[2]
Durkin was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1930 | Recaptured Love | Henry Parr | credited as Bernard Durkin |
1930 | The Santa Fe Trail | Old Timer | credited as Bernard Durkin |
1930 | Tom Sawyer | Huckleberry Finn | |
1931 | Huckleberry Finn | ||
1932 | Hell's House | Jimmy Mason | alternative title: Juvenile Court credited as Junior Dirkin |
1933 | Man Hunt | William 'Junior' Scott, Jr. | |
1934 | Big Hearted Herbert | Junior Kalness | credited as Trent Durkin |
1934 | Ready for Love | Joey Burke | |
1934 | Little Men | Franz | |
1934 | Chasing Yesterday | Henri | credited as Trent Durkin, final film role |