Junior Durkin
Encyclopedia
Junior Durkin, born Trent Bernard Durkin (July 2, 1915 – May 4, 1935), was an American
film
actor
from New York
, New York
. Durkin began his acting career in theater while a child. He entered films in 1930, and played the role of Huckleberry Finn
in Tom Sawyer
(1930), and Huckleberry Finn
(1931). Under contract with RKO Radio Pictures he was cast in a series of "B" films in comedic roles that capitalized on his gangly appearance. He achieved another success in Hell's House
(1932) co-starring then newcomer Bette Davis
.
RKO began grooming him for a transition into more adult roles, and in his final film Chasing Yesterday (1935), he was billed as Trent Durkin.
In 1935 he was travelling with his friend, the actor Jackie Coogan
, and three other people including Coogan's father and producer Robert J. Horner
, when their vehicle was involved in a road accident in San Diego, California
. Jackie Coogan was the only survivor of the accident. Durkin was living with agent Henry Willson
at the time of his death.
Durkin was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
from New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Durkin began his acting career in theater while a child. He entered films in 1930, and played the role of Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn (character)
Huckleberry "Huck" Finn is a fictional character created by Mark Twain, who first appeared in the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and is the protagonist and narrator of its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He is 12 or 13 years old during the former and a year older at the time of the latter...
in Tom Sawyer
Tom Sawyer (1930 film)
Tom Sawyer is a 1930 American drama film directed by John Cromwell. The screenplay by Grover Jones, William Slavens McNutt, and Sam Mintz is based on the 1876 novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain....
(1930), and Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn (1931 film)
Huckleberry Finn is a 1931 American comedy film directed by Norman Taurog. This is another version of the classic novel by Mark Twain and is a follow-up to Tom Sawyer . It isn't a faithful version of the book, as it skips some vital episodes and creates a few others. According to Leonard Maltin,...
(1931). Under contract with RKO Radio Pictures he was cast in a series of "B" films in comedic roles that capitalized on his gangly appearance. He achieved another success in Hell's House
Hell's House
Hell's House is a 1932 American drama film directed by Howard Higgin. The screenplay by Paul Gangelin and B. Harrison Orkow, set during the waning days of the Prohibition era, is based on a story by Higgin.-Plot:...
(1932) co-starring then newcomer Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
.
RKO began grooming him for a transition into more adult roles, and in his final film Chasing Yesterday (1935), he was billed as Trent Durkin.
In 1935 he was travelling with his friend, the actor Jackie Coogan
Jackie Coogan
John Leslie Coogan , known professionally as Jackie Coogan, was an American actor who began his movie career as a child actor in silent films. Many years later, he became known as Uncle Fester on 1960s sitcom The Addams Family...
, and three other people including Coogan's father and producer Robert J. Horner
Robert J. Horner
Robert J. Horner , was an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He produced 44 films between 1922 and 1935. He also directed 38 films between 1921 and 1935....
, when their vehicle was involved in a road accident in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Jackie Coogan was the only survivor of the accident. Durkin was living with agent Henry Willson
Henry Willson
Henry Willson was an American Hollywood talent agent who played a large role in popularizing the beefcake craze of the 1950s. He was known for his stable of young, attractive clients, including Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter, Robert Wagner, Nick Adams, Guy Madison, Troy Donahue, Rory Calhoun, Clint...
at the time of his death.
Durkin was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California
Glendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
.