Jack was born in Bowling Green, Missouri, to Roy Dougherty and Julia Ach.

[3] In 1920, after returning from serving in France during World War I, he was signed with Metro to play Alice Lake's leading man.

[4] He and actress Barbara La Marr got married in 1923, the same year Dougherty was signed to a five-year contract at Universal.

[9] In 1928, he and actress Lottie Pickford were assaulted by robbers outside of a cafe in East Los Angeles.

[10] Later that year, Dougherty was charged for assaulting another male guest at a party held by Pickford.