As a US Army officer in WWII, he served under Gen. George S. Patton, and later went on to portray Patton in Brass Target (1978).
Before his acting career really took off, he served as a military consultant on "The Phil Silvers Show" (1955).
Due to his tall, enormously broad frame, Kennedy was frequently cast in the 1960s and 1970s as bullies and thugs, and had the distinction of brutalizing stars like Cary Grant, Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood on screen while gaining a reputation off-screen as one of the nicest actors around. By his 60s he finally got the chance to play friendlier characters, such as his lovable Capt. Ed Hocken in the "Naked Gun" films.
Graduate of John Tarleton Agricultural College (Now Tarleton State University at Stephenville, Texas).
Graduated in 1943 from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York.
Has 4 adopted children
Has a daughter Betty who was also an actor.
He and Joan adopted their granddaughter in 1998, after their daughter was ruled unfit.
He enlisted in the Army during World War II and went on to serve 16 years, both in combat, and in his later years, as an Armed Forces Radio and Television officer.
He is the only actor to appear in all four of the "Airport" movie series.
In the early 1970s, Paramount had plans that were unrealized to remake Double Indemnity (1944) with Kennedy in the Edward G. Robinson role.
Irish-American.
One of his first roles in film was that of a slave in Spartacus (1960). When the crowd was asked for Spartacus, he was the last close-up of a slave yelling "I am Spartacus".
Recently hosted the creation of a driving safety video.
Was considered for the role of Lex Luthor in Superman (1978).