Jay Koch
USA- Biography of Jay Koch
- A Second Career Begins
- Public Appearances and Performances
- Personal Life and Legacy
Biography of Jay Koch
Jay Koch, an American actor and a look-alike of Ronald Reagan, was born Julius Koch Jr. on February 25, 1926, in Rechnitz, Burgenland, Austria. He grew up in Brooklyn from the age of three and later became a police officer in New York City, patrolling a specific district. Koch retired from the police force in 1969 and moved to California, where Ronald Reagan was the governor at the time.
A Second Career Begins
Koch's second career as a retired police officer began after his wife, Sylvia, secretly submitted his photo to the 'National Enquirer' for a Ronald Reagan look-alike contest in 1980. Koch had the same thick black hair, styled in a high pompadour, as Reagan, and his resemblance to the governor was further enhanced by a captivating smile. In 1989, Jay played Reagan in the famous science fiction comedy 'Back to the Future Part II' alongside Michael J. Fox. He also portrayed the same character in the military action film 'Hot Shots! Part Deux' with Charlie Sheen. Finally, after portraying an alien press secretary in the television sci-fi movie 'Alien Avengers' in 1994, Koch once again appeared as Governor Reagan in the drama 'Panther' in 1995.
Public Appearances and Performances
In addition to his film roles, Jay Koch occasionally appeared as the 33rd Governor of California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. He also participated in public events and private parties alongside other political impersonators. Koch continued to work in television projects and commercials, and even appeared on billboards in Europe. At one point, he earned $1,000 in a single day by acting in a Hong Kong film.
Personal Life and Legacy
Despite being diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2006, Jay Koch's cause of death was ultimately attributed to heart failure, according to his daughter, Morin Foster. He passed away on March 19, 2007, in Port Hueneme, California. A military burial at sea was planned for April 14, 2007. Koch is survived by his wife, Sylvia, his daughter, Morin Foster, his other daughter, Jackie Sheffer, and his son, Brian Koch. Jay and his wife met at a roller skating rink and lived near Simi Valley until his death.
