Jack Buetel

Description

Jack Buetel (born September 5, 1915; died June 27, 1989) was an American film actor. <p>Born Warren Higgins in Dallas, Texas, Buetel moved to Los Angeles, California in the late 1930s with the intention of establishing a film career. Unable to find film work, he was employed as an insurance clerk when he was noticed by an agent who was impressed by his looks. <p>Introduced to Howard Hughes, who was about to begin filming The Outlaw, Buetel was signed to play the lead role as Billy the Kid, with the previously signed David Bacon being fired as a result. Hughes also signed another newcomer, Jane Russell, for the female lead, and realizing the inexperience of his two stars, also signed veteran actors Thomas Mitchell and Walter Huston. <p>Buetel was signed to a standard seven-year contract at $150 per week and was assured by Hughes that he would become a major star. Filmed in late 1940 and early 1941, The Outlaw officially premiered in 1943 but did was not widely seen until 1946. It was...