# Jim Backus Voiced Mr. Magoo

> Jim Backus, star of Gilligan's Island, voiced Mr. Magoo for 30 years until his death.
- Title: Jim Backus Voiced Mr. Magoo · SlashFilm | Shortify
- Summary: Jim Backus, star of Gilligan's Island, voiced Mr. Magoo for 30 years until his death. Jim Backus voiced Mr.
- Keywords: gilligans island, jim backus, mr magoo, united productions of america, the ragtime bear, mister magoo, what's new mr magoo, rescue from gilligans island, harlem globetrotters, gilligans island tv movies, SlashFilm
- Source: SlashFilm — https://slashfilm.com/2299419/gilligans-island-star-jim-backus-mr-magoo-voice
- Author: Joe Roberts
- Published: 2026-11-07T19:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gilligans island, jim backus, mr magoo, united productions of america, the ragtime bear, mister magoo, what's new mr magoo, rescue from gilligans island, harlem globetrotters, gilligans island tv movies, entertainment, culture
## Jim Backus' Early Career
Jim Backus was a well known character actor in the mid-20th Century before Gilligan's Island.
## Thurston Howell III
Backus played Thurston Howell III on Gilligan's Island from 1960 to 1967.
## Mr. Magoo's Creation
Mr. Magoo was created by Millard Kaufman and John Hubley for United Productions of America.
## First Mr. Magoo Appearance
Mr. Magoo debuted in the 1949 theatrical short The Ragtime Bear.
## Backus' Connection to Mr. Magoo
Backus said his father lived in his own little world, never quite seeing things the way they really are.

> He said, 'My father lives in his own little world, never quite seeing things the way they really are.'
## Mr. Magoo's Evolution
Mr. Magoo evolved from a mean-spirited toff to a senescent, lovable buffoon.
## Backus' Final Role
Backus returned as Thurston Howell III in 1981's Rescue from Gilligan's Island.
## Mr. Magoo's Legacy
Mr. Magoo continued until 2023 with a French animated series after Backus' death.
## Key takeaway

Jim Backus voiced Mr. Magoo from 1949 to 1977, then returned as Thurston Howell III in 1981.