Jody McCrea, the oldest of three children, was born Joel Dee McCrea on September 6, 1934, in Los Angeles, California. He stood tall at 6' 3" and shared an uncanny resemblance to his actor father, Joel McCrea. Jody's mother, actress Frances Dee, and his two younger brothers, David McCrea and Peter McCrea, completed the family trio. Despite having little interest in the entertainment industry during his early years, Jody began appearing in minor film roles in his early twenties.
Making his unbilled debut in Lucy Gallant (1955),Jody was afforded the opportunity to work with his father in the films The First Texan (1956) and Trooper Hook (1957). He progressed to co-star status in the short-lived TV western series Wichita Town (1959),which aired alongside his father. From there, Jody found work in various western and action films, including Lafayette Escadrille (1958),All Hands on Deck (1961),The Broken Land (1962),and Young Guns of Texas (1962).
However, Jody is most fondly remembered for his recurring comic role as the dim-eyed, carefree lug "Deadhead" (later named "Bonehead") in the Beach Party film series, starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, released between 1963 and 1965. Interestingly, Jody was the only cast member, aside from Robert Cummings, who could actually surf.
Throughout his career, Jody appeared on TV and developed a genial personality that became an attractive trademark. Although he secured a footing in the business, Jody struggled to escape the shadow of his father, particularly in western dramas. Comedy, however, served as a welcome individualistic approach. Outside of occasional community theater performances, Jody decided to retire from acting altogether in 1970 after appearing in and producing the film Cry Blood, Apache (1970).
For the remaining decades, Jody became a cattle rancher in New Mexico. He was married to Dusty McCrea (aka Dusty Iron Wing),who appeared as the Indian "Dancing Moon" in the film Windwalker (1980),for 20 years until her death in 1996 due to complications from diabetes. Jody passed away in 2009 at the age of 75 due to cardiac arrest at his Roswell ranch.
