Trivia

Joe tried to draw up a trust fund for his ex-wife, Cathy Downs, after learning she was suffering from terminal cancer and living in abject poverty. Downs died before he could set it up.

Joe later owned and piloted a series of airplanes. 25-year-old actor Robert Francis, whose star was rising fast in Hollywood, was piloting one of Joe's aircraft when he was killed in a fiery crash on July 31, 1955, along with Joe's golf course business partner, Irving George Meyer, 38, and aspiring actress Ann Russell, 24. The three perished shortly after take-off from the Burbank airport when the plane quickly lost power, stalled, crashed and burst into flames onto Vanowen Street. What remains a mystery is that Meyer was the veteran pilot of the three and Francis lacked formal training or experience but was at the controls. The co-pilot's seat was empty at the time of the crash.

Born in Australia, he became an American citizen on January 25, 1950.

According to Laura Wagner in a full length article on Joe, he neglected to report for an Army physical in Philadelphia and was found guilty of failing to obey a draft board order. He received a 60 day suspended sentence.

He and second wife Joyce were married in 1980 but had lived together since 1958.

Son of famous golfer and trick artist Joe Kirkwood Sr..

Renowned champion golfer who won the role of boxer Joe Palooka in the films series of the same name.

Once faced a paternity suit leveled at him in July 1949 by a Massachusetts woman. She won and Joe had to pay $4000 in support. His then-girlfriend, actress Cathy Downs stuck by him during the trial. They married on October 8 of that year.

Once made news because of a fight that ensued with singer Johnnie Johnston at the Riviera Country Club. Johnston claims Joe spread rumors about the singer and Shirley Temple. Joe and Johnnie had been good friends with Joe serving as "best man" when Johnnie wed singer/actress Kathryn Grayson.