Henry Kulky

Biography

Henry Kulky, born Henry Kulakowich on August 11, 1911, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, was a multifaceted American actor and professional wrestler, notable for his portrayal of Chief Petty Officer Curly Jones in the first season of the iconic television series *Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea*.

Kulky's athletic journey began in his teenage years with boxing, but he transitioned to wrestling and trained wrestlers at St. Matthew's Lyceum. His professional wrestling career took off in 1939, after being encouraged by the legendary Stanislaus Zbyszko. Adopting the ring name Bomber Kulkavich, he entertained audiences across South America, where he boasted an impressive record—claiming victories in nearly 7,000 matches and even winning a judo championship during his time there.

In the 1950s, Kulky made his mark in Hollywood, with his big break facilitated by fellow wrestler Mike Mazurki. His tough-guy persona led him to be typecast in roles such as military personnel, thugs, and endearing strongmen. Notable television appearances include his role as Otto Schmidlap on *The Life of Riley* from 1953 to 1958, and a recurring role as Chief Max Bronsky in the military sitcom *Hennesey* from 1959 to 1962.

Kulky's final performance was as Chief Curley Jones in *Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea*. He passed away on February 12, 1965, in Oceanside, California, from a heart attack while reviewing a script, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.