HACKETT, John Ames

September 17, 1930 - December 8, 2020

John Ames Hackett was born in Los Angeles, California in September 1930. He grew up mostly in the Culver City area and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1948.

John joined the National Guard in early 1949. His Guard Unit 143rd Field Artillery Battalion was converted to Active Duty in 1950 in order to deploy to North Korea for combat. John served as a Master Sergeant on the front lines and received the Korean Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), United Nations Service Medal and a Bronze Service Star for his wartime service. He was honorably discharged in June 1952.

Upon his return from Korea he enrolled in LA City College, where he studied art, drama, and writing, and continued to pursue his love of sport through gymnastics and boxing. At LACC he developed lifelong friendships before his sense of adventure took him to New York City. There, his interests were focused on acting and theater, and competing in gymnastics at the New York Athletic Club,

In 1958, he moved back to LA to help care for his father. In the early 1960s, he continued his travel adventures to Europe and Asia, while developing his writing talent with screenwriting, anti-war political speeches, and historic research for films. John was an avid book collector and reader, loving to share the world of ideas inspired by great minds. He had a gifted wit when it came to telling stories, and believed his Irish roots played a part in that talent. Throughout his life, he was respected for his integrity and his loyalty to those close to him. John was immensely grateful to be associated personally and professionally with some of the finest actors in Hollywood. Sharing experiences with those who were close to him always brought him great joy.

On December 8, 2020, John passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in Portland, Oregon. Although Los Angeles was always his home personally and professionally, he spent the last three years of his life in a retirement community in Portland to be near his family. His sister, Joyce Wilson, and his nephews and nieces, Kent Wilson (Pam), Alan Wilson, Colleen Richardson (Kip), and Andrea Sweet (Dan) will miss him deeply and have cherished these recent years together and the legacy of his life. There will be no formal memorial service, though his family will be gathering for a celebration of his life when COVID restrictions allow it.

Please feel free to share your memories of John’s life at https://www. dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ portland-or/john-hackett-9939349.