Hodge, Jim, 1927-2013

Jim Hodge was born May 31, 1927 in Ashville, North Carolina. Born and raised in the South, he enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17, just as World War II was winding down. His primary job was that of a cook.

Hodge became smitten with the life of an entertainer after participating in a play and headed for Hollywood, California in 1952. It was there that he auditioned for Donn Arden, who organized and directed shows in Las Vegas, Nevada. Though he didn’t get the part, he did get hired to be a singer for a show featuring Betty Grable. His career was launched and would span the heyday of Las Vegas entertainment, from the 1950s to the 1970s.