RIP Johnny Duncan

February 14, 2016

John B. Duncan of Gower, Missouri and Davenport, Florida passed away at his Florida home on February 8, 2016 with his family by his side. He was 92.

John was born on December 7, 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert L. and Melvina Duncan. While in Missouri Johnny learned how to tap dance at an early age, in fact he helped with family expenses with money he earned from dancing at a local bar. When he was fifteen he was discovered by a talent scout, while dancing, who sent his whole family to Hollywood.

Once he made it to Hollywood he landed roles in the Bowery Boys/ East Side Kids as well as several other films. At age 26 he got the role as Robin in the 1949 films Batman & Robin. Afterwards he worked on a lot of movies including, Caine Mutiny, Delinquent Daughters, 30 Seconds Over Tokyo and Spartacus, as well as TV appearances on Dallas and Dynasty. Johnny was also a midget car racer and a jockey and a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during WW II. Johnny really enjoyed life, loved his family and will be remembered as a loving husband and father.

Johnny is survived by his wife, of 18 years, Susan Duncan; children, Cathy McIlhenny of Cape Hatteras, NC, Sean Duncan of Branson, MO, Mandy Lorenz of Branson, MO, Maranda Rogers of Des Moines, IA, Landon Tate of Davenport, FL; grandchildren, Danny Stevens, Tyler Duncan, Zachary Duncan, Juliah Lorenz, Nataley Lorenz, Caden Lorenz, Chance Lorenz and Evelyn Rose Rogers; great grandchildren, Kelly, Angie, Mike and several great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be Wednesday from 12:00 pm until the funeral at 1:00 pm at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City, Florida. Burial will take place at the family’s crypt in Indiana.

Born: 12/7/1923, Centre, Kansas, U.S.A.

Died: 2/8/2016, Davenport, Florida, U.S.A.

The Arizona Wildcat – 1937 (townsboy)

Call of the Canyon – 1942 (Jitterbug)

Trail to San Antonio – 1947 (Ted Malloy)

The Cisco Kid (TV) – 1956 (mail rider, Mickey Doan)