Jay Jostyn (December 13, 1901"Wisconsin Births and Christenings, 1826-1926", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRYR-DD9 : 30 January 2020), Eugene Joseph Josten, 1901."Wisconsin Birth Index, 1820-1907," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHHH-YMV : 4 December 2014), Eugene J Josten, 13 Dec 1901; from "Wisconsin Births, 1820-1907," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2000); citing Milwaukee, Wisconsin, reel 0199, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Vital Records Division, Madison. – June 25, 1976"California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGR5-WVQM : 1 March 2021), Jay Jostyn, 1976.) was an actor in the era of old-time radio. He is best known for portraying the title role in Mr. District Attorney on radio.DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. . p. 144. An article in Radio-TV Mirror in 1952 reported, "He is so generally believed to be a real life lawyer that he frequently receives mail from listeners inviting him to move to certain cities where they feel crimes are going unsolved."
Early years Jostyn was born Eugene Josten, the son of George and Mary Josten of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended St. Joseph's parochial school, Marquette Academy, Marquette University, and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
Before going into acting full-time, he had a job with a telephone company.
Stage In 1948, Jostyn had the lead in a touring company that performed The Trial of Mary Dugan. On Broadway, he played District Attorney McDonough in Deadfall (1955).
Radio Jostyn's career in radio began at WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was the first poetry reader for the station's late-night Moon River program.
Jostyn's roles as a regular cast member included those shown in the table below. Program Role Foreign Assignment Brian Barry Hilltop House Frank Klabber The Life of Mary Sothern Max TilleyDunning, op. cit., "The Life of Mary Sothern" p. 396 Listen Carefully Master of ceremonies Mr. District Attorney District AttorneyDunning, op. cit., "Mr. District Attorney" pp. 464-465 Our Gal Sunday Jackie The Parker Family Walter ParkerDunning, op. cit., "The Parker Family" pp. 532-533 Popeye, The Sailor Captain Dick Second Husband Ben PorterGrunwald, Edgar A., Ed. (1940). Variety Radio Directory 1940–1941. Variety, Inc. p. 330. This Day Is Ours Curt Curtis.
Jostyn was also in the casts of This Small Town, Silver Theater,Dunning, op. cit., "Silver Theater" p. 615 The Top Guy,Dunning, op. cit., "The Top Guy" p. 679 and Mystery Man.
Television Jostyn's roles as a regular cast member included those show in the table below. Program Role Notes Mr. District Attorney Paul Garrett Night Court U.S.A. The Judge The Secret Storm Dr. Hadley Alfred Hitchcock Presents Morgan Season 4 Episode 3: "The Jokester" (1958)
Jostyn also starred in Night Court U.S.A. a syndicated series that dramatized actual court cases.McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television. Penguin Books USA, Inc. . p. 183. Additionally, he was also seen in episodes of The Doctor,Brooks/Marsh, op. cit., "The Doctor" p. 369 and The Philco Television Playhouse.
Other professional activities In November 1943, Jostyn was elected to a one-year term as third vice-president of the New York local of the American Federation of Radio Artists. In 1944, he was one of seven people elected to AFRA's national board.
Personal life On October 17, 1928, Jostyn married Ruth Hill in Pasadena, California. She was an actress whom he met when they performed together in a play. They had two sons, Jean Charles and Jon George.
Death Jostyn died June 25, 1976, in Los Angeles, California.Aaker, Everett (2006). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P. 296.
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