Delos Jewkes

Career overview

Jesse Delos Jewkes was a singer and actor born in Orangeville, Utah, on October 21, 1895. Known for his distinctive bass voice, he began his singing career in 1925 with traveling opera and light opera companies, sang in the bass section of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and performed with the Salt Lake Philharmonic Orchestra as well as on the Orpheum-Keith Vaudeville Circuit. He secured roles in some of Hollywood's earliest sound pictures and ultimately appeared in about 300 films alongside prominent figures such as Shirley Temple and John Wayne. He was also featured in all of Jeanette MacDonald's and Nelson Eddy's films.

Among his many screen credits, Jewkes supplied the voice of God in Cecil B. De Mille's film The Ten Commandments and provided Tarzan's voice in Tarzan Finds a Son. His extensive filmography includes appearances in Naughty Marietta, Have You Got Any Castles?, Broadway Serenade, The Wizard of Oz, My Gal Sal, and White Cargo. In addition to his extensive film work, his credits extended to television, including appearances on The Andy Griffith Show and ABC Stage 67.

Jewkes was married to Belle Augusta Gardner. He died of a heart attack on July 17, 1984, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 88.