Jim Hendricks

Born James Hendricks in 1949. In the late 70's Jim started in entertainment as a Disc Jockey working on a radio station in Junction City, Kansas. During his radio show that aired from 8pm to 2 am, he played it as Uncle Willie, a character Hendricks created. In 1981 there were changes in the radio station. When the DJ job ended Jim moved to New York looking to get into some other form of entertainment. Not finding the kind of work he wanted, he got a job as a New York City cab driver. While being a cabbie (1982 - 1984) he would audition for whatever parts he came across. Finally during an audition to play a new host of a show that presented old science fiction and horror movies on the USA Cable Network Jim was offered the part. Originally Jim wanted to do the show as his old character Uncle Willie, but management wanted the host to be a superhero. So Jim played this superhero called Commander USA like his character Uncle Willie. But Uncle Willie was never mentioned on any of the USA shows. But everything about Commander USA, the trench coat, cigar, the way he talked, and his mannerisms were all taken from his old character from radio. Commander USA's Groovie Movies (1985) premiered January 5, 1985. The television show lasted until 1989. During its run clips of the Commander's show could be seen in movies such as The Color of Money (1986) and Scrooged (1988). When USA Network canceled "Commander USA's Groovie Movies" Jim found only a hand full of bit parts to play on TV and movies. For a short time he appeared on Horrible Night at the Movies (1989) as a cohost and writer. Early 90's he played a warehouse foreman in a TV commercial for the electronics retail outlet, The Wiz, that his fans seem to remember. His last bit part in a movie was in The Hungry Ghosts (2009). He did show up in a few plays doing small parts. For a while he played the priest in "Tony n' Tina's Wedding" at a dinner theater. Jim died March 17, 2018 (St. Patricks Day). He was 69 still living in NYC.