Movie Stars at George Field

Movie star Jackie Coogan A glider pilot at George field

Jackie Coogan appeared in a review when he was four years old. Charlie Chaplin hired him for a comedy short and as his co-star in the 1923 classic film “The Kid”. Jackie's phenomenal success brought him international fame and a million-dollar contract from Metro. Armed with his trademark cap turned to one side, baggy pants, and a worn-out sweater, he proved to be a talented little trooper in a string of dramas and light comedies. He often portrayed troublesome brats and pitiful orphans but whatever the role, he always gave an effective performance.

His father formed Jackie Coogan Productions. Jackie later sued his mother and stepfather- business agent for an accounting of earnings of the Jackie Coogan Productions. The publicity resulted in passage of the Coogan Act requiring earnings of child actors to be placed in court control trusts.

 Jackie's first marriage was to actress Betty Grable in 1938 and divorced in 1941.  During World War II he was a glider pilot, and one was the first group of gliders into Burma. After his overseas tour, he was sent to George Field with the TCC as a glider instructor. After the war his acting career continued. He played Uncle Fester in the Adams Family (1964 to 1965).  He died in California March 1984.

Charles R Jones at the 1996 George Field Reunion reported that he flew with Jackie Coogan as his instructor on many occasions. Coogan was funny.

 When we got in the glider, he said,  “get your butt  in the left seat and fly. I'm going to sit back here with the WACs,” that always came down to the flight line to deadhead on the gliders.

Another movie star who was stationed at George Field was Sergeant Marion del Moore, 327th squadron.

Marian del Moore served in the special services and after he left George Field, he joined a USO troop in North Africa. He entered films in the early 1950s following a career on stage, which included several Jerry Lewis comedies.  He passed away in 1970.