RIP: Jim Hutchison (1934-2009)

Little-known Hawaiin-based actor dies in Honolulu

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

England, Arkansas-reared actor/director Jim Hutchison, 75, died last Thursday (April 16) in Honolulu, Hawaii, where the late filmmaker was an important part of the arts community.

After winning various talent competitions in his home state, Hutchison decided to try to make it big in acting, moving to New York and landing parts in Broadway musicals like The Ziegfeld Follies, The Pajama Game, Kean, and Happy Hunting.

In 1965 he appeared as a dancer in Jim Henson's Oscar-nominated short film Time Piece, and then had an uncredited bit part in Gene Kelly's Oscar-winning classic feature film Hello, Dolly!, which starred Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau.

When Hutchison left the continental U.S. to settle in Hawaii he found work appearing in episodes of TV shows like Magnum, P.I., Hawaii Five-O, and Jake & the Fatman. His final role was as Ernest Billings in the 1986 mini-series Blood & Orchids.

Hutchison, who is survived by a son and a daughter, also taught tap dancing in Honolulu, and served as the director for the city's Community Theater. In addition to wearing those hats, Hutchison was on the board of directors for the Honolulu City Ballet, served as the director for the Screen Actors Guild's Hawaii chapter, and worked as both a choreographer and director for various organizations of the Hawaiin capital.