Edward Jackson Culpepper
Known on Stage as "Jack Pepper"

First Husband of Ginger Rogers

Jack Culpepper, the first husband of Ginger Rogers, had with her a vaudeville act called Ginger and Pepper.  He also performed with his older brother, Truett, in an act called Salt and Pepper.

From Left to Right: Bob Hope, Johnny Weismuller (AKA Tarzan in the films during 1932-1948), Broderick Crawford (star during 1955-59 in the TV series, Highway Patrol), Edward Jackson Culpepper (AKA Jack Pepper), and Erwin M. Hearne, first cousin, once removed, of Jack. Photo taken at Love Field, Dallas, in 1940.

The above photograph and the following commentary were provided by Bill Beck, first cousin, once removed, of Jack Culpepper, and first cousin of Erwin Hearne.

"Erwin has lived in Dallas, TX all his life except for a few years in WW-II. Our grandmother was Ollie J. McCallum, sister of Jack Culpepper's mother, Josephine Cheniworth Culpepper. Erwin is an artist and very good at what he does. He has gone from early Baptist Religious to Western Paintings.

"Jack Culpepper, whose stage name was Jack Pepper, had a night club on Maple Avenue, where Erwin also lived. Jack called Erwin one day in 1940 and asked if he wanted to go to the airport with him and pick up Bob Hope and Johnny Weismuller. Erwin was 17 years old at the time. The photograph that I've provided was taken at that time.

"Erwin said Jack and Bob Hope were very close friends and that Jack fed and kept Bob in New York in the early days. Jack was a Broadway star when Bob was getting started. Erwin said Jack's famous quote was "People won't pay good money to watch that flat screen." Of course, Jack did go to Hollywood, but never made it big. Erwin said Jack's ego got in his way; Bob tried to help him out, but Jack was always trying to tell the director how things should go.

"Erwin also said Jack and his older brother Truett had an act called Salt and Pepper. In addition to Ginger Rogers, Jack was married to a gal named Dawn. They had a daughter named Cynthia who was the star of Margie, a mid to late 50s TV show.

"Aunt Winnie Mae, Jack's sister, lived in Dallas and was married to Joe Bircher. Their son, Norman, is a friend of Erwin's.

"Aunt Beulah Rae, also Jack's sister, lived in Dallas and was married to Glen McCallon. She was secretary to the Dallas City Manager for more years than I can remember."

Note from Grant Menzies, 6 Jul 1999

Just the other day I was talking to my grandmother about Jack Culpepper and Ginger Rogers. Grandma remembers Jack coming to see Amaryntha Jane Kelley, née Culpepper, at her daughter's place outside Gainesville, on several occasions. Grandma's sister, Vera Kincaid, once by chance was seated beside Ginger Rogers on a plane and the subject of relatives came up. Ginger remembered Jack perfectly; whatever difficulties had led to their divorce, she spoke well of him to Aunt Vera.

Culpepper Ancestry: Jack Culpepper is the son of George D. Culpepper, son of Stephen Josephius Culpepper, son of Lemuel Culpepper, son of Joseph Culpepper, son of Robert Culpepper, Jr., son of Robert Culpepper, born 1664 in Norfolk, VA.