| Jay Jostyn | |
| Birth Name: | Eugene Josten |
| Birth Date: | December 13, 1901 |
| Birth Place: | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Death Date: | June 25, 1976 (aged 74) |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Alma Mater: | Wisconsin Conservatory of Music |
| Spouse: | Ruth Hill (1928– ?) |
| Children: | 2 |
| Known For: | Portraying the title role in Mr. District Attorney on radio |
Jay Jostyn (December 13, 1901[1] [2] – June 25, 1976[3]) 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.[4] 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."[5]
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,[6] and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.[7]
Before going into acting full-time, he had a job with a telephone company.[8]
In 1948, Jostyn had the lead in a touring company that performed The Trial of Mary Dugan.[9] On Broadway, he played District Attorney McDonough in Deadfall (1955).[10]
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.[11]
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[12] | |
| The Life of Mary Sothern | Max Tilley | |
| Listen Carefully | Master of ceremonies[13] | |
| Mr. District Attorney | District Attorney | |
| Our Gal Sunday | Jackie [14] | |
| The Parker Family | Walter Parker | |
| Popeye, The Sailor | Captain Dick[15] | |
| Second Husband | Ben Porter[16] | |
| This Day Is Ours | Curt Curtis. |
Jostyn was also in the casts of This Small Town,[17] Silver Theater, The Top Guy,[18] and Mystery Man.[19]
Jostyn's roles as a regular cast member included those show in the table below.
| Program | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. District Attorney | Paul Garrett[20] | ||
| Night Court U.S.A. | The Judge[21] | ||
| The Secret Storm | Dr. Hadley[22] | ||
| 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.[23] Additionally, he was also seen in episodes of The Doctor, and The Philco Television Playhouse.[24]
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.[25] In 1944, he was one of seven people elected to AFRA's national board.[26]
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.[27]
Jostyn died June 25, 1976, in Los Angeles, California.[28]