Dean Jones, ‘Love Bug’ and ‘That Darn Cat’ Actor, Dead at 84

Actor had suffered from Parkinson’s disease

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Actor Dean Jones mingles during the cocktail reception at the10th Annual Art Directors Guild Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Dean Jones, the actor who appeared in such classic live-action Disney films as “The Love Bug” and “That Darn Cat,” died from Parkinson’s disease in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was 84.

Born in Decatur, Alabama, in 1931, Jones served in the Navy during the Korean war and attended Asbury University in Kentucky. A prolific actor in both film and television, Jones appeared in 46 films and numerous television series and specials. He also had a successful Broadway career, appearing as Dave Manning in the comedy “Under the Yum-Yum Tree,” a role he would reprise in the 1963 film adaptation of the play.

His other credits included ABC’s “Stagecoach West,” the 1992 film “Beethoven,” the television series “Herbie, the Love Bug” and “Murder, She Wrote.”

Jones was inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame in 1995.

Dean’s last listed credit on his IMDb profile is in the 2009 video “God Provides,” as Abraham. He became a devout born-again Christian in the 1970s.  Among his charitable works, Jones founded the Christian Rescue Committee, now the Christian Rescue Fund, to provide a way of escape for those suffering from religious persecution.

Jones is survived by his second wife, Lory Basham Jones, three children, Caroline Jones, Deanna Demaree and Michael Pastick; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Christian Rescue Fund c/o Jubilee Campaign USA, 9689-C Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22150.

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