Jack Sahakian

Who was Jack Sahakian?

Jack Leon Sahakian was an American hairdresser and actor.

He was born in Oakland, California, the son of Karnic "Jack" Sahakian and Evelyn L. Reese. His father was born in Armenia and his mother in Indiana. His father emigrated to the United States in 1914, joining his father, Dicran Sahakian, who emigrated to the U.S. in 1910.

The family lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Dicran was a grocery retail merchant, before moving to California. Dicran, who became an Oriental rug importer, wanted his surname to be perpetuated in the land of liberty. After moving to Oakland, he died there October 30, 1929. He stipulated in his will that the first boy born to the eldest of his five sons was to receive approximately $2,500. In the event the eldest son had no male progeny, then the next eldest and on down to his youngest son would be eligible for the "premium" in the event he had a male child within five years.

The chances of the youngest son, Karnic, winning the trust fund for his son seemed highly remote, but it came true. Jack Sahakian became the first born grandson and, when he was age 4-years-old in 1935, was awarded the money.