Jerome "Jerry" P. Leggio Jr.

Baton Rouge, LA - Jerome "Jerry" Philip Leggio, Jr., passed away in his home at the age of 90 on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 23, 1935, at the Old Lady of the Lake Hospital to Jerry, Sr., and Audrey Cotton Leggio. Jerry and his loving wife, Gloria, were married for 67 years. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1953, and from Louisiana State University in 1957. After college, Jerry discovered his love for theater. He could often be found on stage at the Baton Rouge Little Theater and the Cabaret Theater. Some of his favorite plays he starred in were "A Streetcar Named Desire," "Inherit the Wind," "The King and I," "Carousel," "Kismet," "Camelot," and many others. Giving up the spotlight in New York and Hollywood, he chose to stay close to home and family to bring the film industry to Louisiana. A grant from Gulf South Research Institute, where he was personnel director, and support from John Wayne, led to his impact in the creation of Hollywood South in Louisiana in 1969. He went on to lead a multi-state committee to form the National Cineposium. In 2014, he earned the Anne Price Lifetime Achievement Award as recognition for his lifelong efforts to grow the film industry in Louisiana. Jerry was a regular on the WBRZ show, "HIT OR MISS." In 1965, Jerry established the motion picture casting system for Louisiana. He loved writing stories about life events, films, and accomplishments on his blog, "Mustard Sandwiches." After Jerry's retirement from GSRI, he loved working at the Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge and the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. Jerry loved walking, biking, reading, birdwatching, going to the beach, playing piano, telling stories, and laughing with his family and friends. He also loved going out to eat with friends and family. Jerry is survived by his wife, Gloria Gartman Leggio; brother Dr. Louis Wayne Leggio (Lynn); children Felicia Leggio Braud (John), Charles Michael "Mike" Leggio, Darrell Anthony Leggio (Kathy), and Charles Thomas Gartman, IV; 12 grandchildren, Lucas Leggio, Daniella Leggio, Shane Leggio, Eva Braud, Micah Braud, Jolie Braud, Katherin Leggio, John Michael Leggio, Scott Bearden, Allissa Leggio, Tyler Leggio, and Brandon Leggio (Caroline); 4 great-grandchildren, Jace Leggio, Ethan Gill, Presley Brenner, and Elaine Leggio; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Audrey Leggio, his son Jerome "Jerry" Philip Leggio, III (Claudia), and daughter-in-law Johnnie Michelle Bearden Leggio. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street in Baton Rouge, on Tuesday, October 7, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A funeral mass will take place at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 2250 Main Street in Baton Rouge, on Wednesday, October 8, at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church at 2250 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Jerry lived a long and wonderful life and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Break a leg, Jerry! Exit Stage Right.