Original 'Pinocchio' Dies -- Actor Richard Percy Jones Dead at 87

The first man who brought Pinocchio to life on the big screen has died -- Richard Percy Jones passed away at home in Northridge, CA.

Jones died Monday night ... apparently of natural causes.

As a kid, he was chosen by Walt Disney to provide the voice of the boy puppet for the 1940 animated flick, "Pinocchio." Jones was also a skilled rodeo rider -- appearing in a bunch of B-movies and TV shows. He also had bit roles in the "Our Gang" films.

Jones retired from acting in the 1960s... to go into real estate and banking. He's survived by his wife and 4 kids.