Hayden Rorke

In September of 1965 America was introduced to one of the most confused characters in network television history, Dr. Alfred Bellows played by veteran character actor Hayden Rorke. Hayden Rorke played the role of Dr. Bellows the NASA psychiatrist a man obsessed with Tony Nelson and the strange goings on in his life on "I Dream of Jeannie". Hayden Rorke played the character with just enough pathos that you felt bad for Dr. Bellows when he was always tricked by Jeanine and made to look the fool. Even Dr. Bellow's wife sometimes had her doubts in her husband's sanity.
Hayden Rorke was born, William Henry Rorke in New York in 1910 to stage and screen actress Margaret Rorke. He took his stage name Hayden from his mother's maiden name. Rorke studied at the American Academy of Dramatic arts in the 1920's and began a stage career in the 1930's. He enlisted in the army during World War II and it was then he made his first film appearance in the movie musical "This is the Army" starring Ronald Reagan.
After the war Rorke returned to Broadway and eventually made his move to Hollywood in the late 1940's playing small parts that were usually uncredited. Mr. Rorke appeared in these roles though out the 40's and 50's. In 1957 he was cast in a television show "Mr. Adams and Eve" starring real life married couple Howard Duff and Ida Lupino playing married Beverly Hills actors. Hayden Rorke played the part of Steve their agent. The show ran for two years. Rorke then went on to play guest appearances in sitcoms and dramas like "I Love Lucy" and "Perry Mason". His big shot was playing the always exasperated Dr. Bellows on "I Dream of Jeannie" for the entire 5 year run. He also reprised the role in the made for TV movie "I Dream of Jeannie...15 Years Later". This would be his last acting role.
Hayden Rorke died shortly after that from Multiple Myeloma in the Studio City home he shared with his long time partner film and television director Justus Addiss. He was 76 years old.