Jack Webb Biography

Fast Facts

• Honored with a U․S․ postage stamp in 2009 featuring his "Dragnet" character
• Often leant his time and effort to numerous non-profit organizations aimed at helping the widows and orphans of fallen police officers
• Unexpectedly died from a heart attack at the age of 62 while planning to revive "Dragnet" with writing partner and co-star, Kent McCord
• Enlisted in the U․S․ Air Force during WWII, but was eventually forced to file for a hardship discharge, as he was the primary caregiver for his mother and grandmother
• Founded his own production company, Mark VII Limited, in 1951
• Best known for his role of Sgt․ Joe Friday on NBC's "Dragnet" after first portraying the role in the 1948 film, "He Walked By Night"
• Landed his own radio show in San Francisco during WWII before eventually riding his success on to the silver screen
• A lifelong fan of jazz music, he would end up with over 6,000 jazz albums by the time of his death
• An avid baseball fan, he chose Joe Friday's badge number of 714 after the number of home runs hit by Babe Ruth
• Following his death, the Los Angeles Police Department officially retired his badge number of 714