Jack Dunn (figure skater)

Jack Dunn
Dunn at the 1936 Winter Olympics
Full nameJohn Edward Powell Dunn
Born(1917-03-28)28 March 1917
Died16 July 1938(1938-07-16) (aged 21)
Hollywood, Los Angeles
Figure skating career
CountryUnited Kingdom
Medal record
Representing  United Kingdom
Men's Figure skating
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1935 Budapest Men's singles

John Edward Powell Dunn (28 March 1917 – 16 July 1938) was a British figure skater who competed in the 1930s. His best finish was a silver medal at the 1935 World Figure Skating Championships.[1]

Dunn was a close friend and lover of Sonja Henie, who was training in London towards the end of her competitive career. Following Henie's victory at the 1936 Winter Olympics, where Dunn placed sixth in the singles event, he accompanied the Henie family to the United States and became her professional skating partner in her touring ice show for the next two years. Their relationship ended when Henie became involved with Tyrone Power. Shortly afterward, in 1938, Dunn died from tularemia contracted from handling a rabbit while on a hunting trip in Texas. He died in Hollywood.

At the time of his death Dunn had appeared in the movie Everybody's Girl, been cast by producer Edward Small in the lead of The Duke of West Point (1938) and was in the running to play Rudolph Valentino in a film based on that actor's life.[2][3]

Results

Event 1934 1935 1936
Winter Olympic Games 6th
World Championships 2nd 4th
European Championships 6th 4th

References

  1. ^ "MR. JACK DUNN". The Manchester Guardian. 18 July 1938. p. 5.
  2. ^ "HIGHLIGHTING THE WEEK'S NEWS". The New York Times. 19 June 1938. p. 3.
  3. ^ "SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: ' Life of Rudolph Valentino,' Starring Jack Dunn, to Be Made by United Artists TWO FILMS OPEN TODAY Orlob, Producer, Buys Motion-Picture Rights to '- – - – One-third of a Nation – - – -' Of Local Origin". The New York Times. 15 June 1938. p. 27.