In 1962, Jester did a small scene with Gregory Peck, who played Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird". Peck won for best actor Oscar that year for this picture. Jester plays the father of Tom, the accused black man of the movie. The film was up for Best Picture nomination (one of five). Lawrence of Arabia was the winner. Jester was in 5 films in the 1960s that were up for Best Picture. "In the Heat of the Night" was the only one that won. The year before, he did the music and voice for Sidney Poitier in "Lilies of the FIeld" . Sidney won best Actor that year and the picture was up for Best Picture. It was a good decade for Jester in Hollywood.