David Janssen (born David Harold Meyer) (March 27, 1931February 13, 1980) was an American film and television actor who is best known for his starring role as Richard Kimble in the television series '' The Fugitive'' (1963–1967). Janssen also had the title roles in three other series: ''

Richard Diamond, Private Detective ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective'' is an American detective drama, created by Blake Edwards, which aired on radio from 1949 to 1953, and on television from 1957 to 1960. Radio Dick Powell starred in the ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective' ...

''; ''

Harry O ''Harry O'', sometimes spelled ''Harry-O'', is an American Detective fiction, private detective series that aired for two seasons on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from 1974 to 1976. The series starred David Janssen, and Jerry Thorpe was exec ...

''; and '' O'Hara, U.S. Treasury''. In 1996 ''

TV Guide TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program listings information as well as entertainment and television-related news. The company sold its print magazine division, TV Guide Magazine LLC, in 2008. Corporat ...

'' ranked him number 36 on its ''50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time'' list.

Early life

David Janssen was born on March 27, 1931, in Naponee, a village in Franklin County in southern

Nebraska Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the sout ...

, to Harold Edward Meyer, a banker, and Berniece Graf, a former Miss Nebraska and

Ziegfeld girl Ziegfeld Girls were the chorus girls and showgirls from Florenz Ziegfeld's theatrical Broadway revue spectaculars known as the '' Ziegfeld Follies'' (1907–1931), in New York City, which were based on the Folies Bergère of Paris. Desc ...

. Following his parents' divorce in 1935, his mother moved with five-year-old David to Los Angeles, and married Eugene Janssen in 1940. Young David used his stepfather's name after he entered show business as a child. He attended Fairfax High School, where he excelled on the basketball court, setting a school scoring record that lasted over 20 years. His first film part was at the age of thirteen, and by the age of twenty-five he had appeared in twenty films and served two years as an enlisted man in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...

. During his Army days, Janssen became friends with fellow enlistees

Martin Milner Martin Sam Milner (December 28, 1931 – September 6, 2015) was an American actor and radio host. He is best known for his performances on two television series: '' Route 66'', which aired on CBS from 1960 to 1964, and ''Adam-12'', which a ...

and

Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western TV series '' Rawhide'', he rose to international fame with his role as the " Man with No Name" in Sergio Leone's "'' Do ...

while posted at

Fort Ord Fort Ord is a former United States Army post on Monterey Bay of the Pacific Ocean coast in California, which closed in 1994 due to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action. Most of the fort's land now makes up the Fort Ord National Monument, ...

, California.

Acting career

Janssen appeared in many television series before he landed programs of his own. In 1956, he and

Peter Breck Joseph Peter Breck (March 13, 1929 – February 6, 2012) was an American character actor. The rugged, dark-haired Breck played the gambler and gunfighter Doc Holliday on the ABC/Warner Bros. Television series ''Maverick'' as well as Victoria Bar ...

appeared in

John Bromfield John Bromfield (born Farron Bromfield; June 11, 1922 – September 19, 2005) was an American actor and commercial fisherman. Early years Farron Bromfield was born in South Bend, Indiana. He played football and was a boxing champion at Saint Mar ...

's syndicated series ''

Sheriff of Cochise ''The Sheriff of Cochise'' is an American police crime drama television series of 79 black-and-white episodes broadcast from 1956 to 1958. The show has two seasons of 39 episodes, and there is an additional standalone episode. Each episode runs ...

'' in the episode "The Turkey Farmers". Later, he guest-starred on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

medical drama A medical drama is a television show or film in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment. Most recent medical dramatic programming go beyond the events pertaining to the characters' jobs and portray som ...

'' The Eleventh Hour'' in the role of Hal Kincaid in the 1962 episode "Make Me a Place", with series co-stars

Wendell Corey Wendell Reid Corey (March 20, 1914 – November 8, 1968) was an American actor and politician. He was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was a board member of the Screen Actors Guild. Biography Early years Corey was ...

and

Jack Ging Jack Lee Ging (November 30, 1931 – September 9, 2022) was an American actor. He was best known as General Harlan "Bull" Fulbright on NBC's television adventure series ''The A-Team'', and for his supporting role in the final season of ''Tales ...

. He joined friend Martin Milner in a 1962 episode of '' Route 66'' as the character Kamo in the episode "One Tiger to a Hill." Janssen starred in four television series of his own: * ''

'' (1957–1960), a

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

/ Four Star hit series that also introduced

Mary Tyler Moore Mary Tyler Moore (December 29, 1936 – January 25, 2017) was an American actress, producer, and social advocate. She is best known for her roles on '' The Dick Van Dyke Show'' (1961–1966) and '' The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' (1970–1977), whi ...

, showing only her legs, and

Barbara Bain Barbara Bain (born Mildred Fogel; September 13, 1931) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cinnamon Carter on the action television series '' Mission: Impossible'' (1966–1969), which earned her three Primetime Emmy Awar ...

as Diamond's girlfriend. * '' The Fugitive'' (1963–1967), the hit

Quinn Martin Quinn Martin (born Irwin Martin Cohn; May 22, 1922 – September 5, 1987) was an American television producer. He had at least one television series running in prime time every year for 21 straight years (from 1959 to 1980). Martin is a mem ...

-produced series, about a Midwest doctor wrongly convicted of murdering his wife; * '' O'Hara, U.S. Treasury'' (1971–1972), one of

Jack Webb John Randolph Webb (April 2, 1920 – December 23, 1982) was an American actor, television producer, director, and screenwriter, who is most famous for his role as Sgt. Joe Friday in the ''Dragnet'' franchise, which he created. He was a ...

Mark VII Limited Mark VII Limited was the production company of actor and filmmaker Jack Webb, and was active from 1951 to his death in 1982. Many of its series were produced in association with Universal Television; most of them aired on the NBC television netwo ...

productions for

Universal Studios Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Americ ...

, as a government agent investigating counterfeiters and other federal crimes; * ''

'' (1974–1976), as a disabled San Diego-based private eye. At the time of its airing in August 1967, the final episode of ''The Fugitive'' held the record for the greatest number of American homes with television sets to watch a series finale — 72 percent. In 1996 ''

'' ranked ''The Fugitive'' number 36 on its ''50 Greatest Shows of All Time'' list. His films include: '' To Hell and Back'', the biography of

Audie Murphy Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor and songwriter. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. He received every military combat award for valor available from t ...

, who was the most decorated American soldier of World War II; ''

Hell to Eternity ''Hell to Eternity'' is a 1960 American World War II film starring Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Vic Damone and Patricia Owens, directed by Phil Karlson. This film biopic is about the true experiences of Marine hero Pfc. Guy Gabaldon (played b ...

'', a 1960 American World War II biopic starring Jeffrey Hunter as a Hispanic boy who fought in the

Battle of Saipan The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June to 9 July 1944 as part of Operation Forager. It has been referred to as the "Pacific D-Day" with the ...

and who was raised by Japanese-American foster parents;

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Go ...

's Vietnam war film ''

The Green Berets The United States Army Special Forces (SF), colloquially known as the "Green Berets" due to their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force of the United States Army. The Green Berets are geared towards nine doctrinal mis ...

''; opposite

Gregory Peck Eldred Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 – June 12, 2003) was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Peck the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood ...

, in the space story ''

Marooned Marooned may refer to: * Marooning, the intentional act of abandoning someone in an uninhabited area Film and television * ''Marooned'' (1933 film), a British drama film * ''Marooned'' (1969 film), an American science-fiction film * ''Marooned ...

'', in which Janssen played an astronaut sent to rescue three stranded men in space; and '' The Shoes of the Fisherman'', as a television journalist in Rome reporting on the election of a new Pope (

Anthony Quinn Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca (April 21, 1915 – June 3, 2001), known professionally as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican-American actor. He was known for his portrayal of earthy, passionate characters "marked by a brutal and elemental v ...

). He also played pilot Harry Walker in the

1973 Events January * January 1 - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 15 – Vietnam War: ...

action movie ''

Birds of Prey Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and other smaller birds). In addition to speed and strength, these predat ...

''. He starred as a Los Angeles police detective trying to clear himself in the killing of an apparently innocent doctor in the 1967 film ''

Warning Shot In military and police contexts, a warning shot is an intentionally harmless artillery shot or gunshot with intent to enact direct compliance and order to a hostile perpetrator or enemy forces. It is recognized as signalling intended confronta ...

'', which was shot during a break in the spring and summer of 1966 between the third and fourth seasons of ''The Fugitive.'' Janssen played an alcoholic in the 1977 TV movie ''A Sensitive, Passionate Man'', which co-starred

Angie Dickinson Angeline Dickinson (née Brown; born September 30, 1931) is an American actress. She began her career on television, appearing in many anthology series during the 1950s, before gaining her breakthrough role in ''Gun the Man Down'' (1956) wit ...

, and played an engineer who devises an unbeatable system for

blackjack Blackjack (formerly Black Jack and Vingt-Un) is a casino banking game. The most widely played casino banking game in the world, it uses decks of 52 cards and descends from a global family of casino banking games known as Twenty-One. This fam ...

in the 1978 made-for-TV movie ''Nowhere to Run'', co-starring

Stefanie Powers Stefanie Powers (born November 2, 1942) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jennifer Hart on the mystery television series '' Hart to Hart'' (1979–1984), for which she received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards a ...

and Linda Evans. Janssen's impressively husky voice was used to good effect as the narrator for the TV mini-series ''Centennial'' (1978–79); he also appeared in the final episode. And in 1979 he starred in the made-for-TV mini series ''S.O.S. Titanic'' as John Jacob Astor, playing opposite Beverly Ross as his wife, Madeleine. Though Janssen's scenes were cut from the final release, he also appeared as a journalist in the film '' Inchon'', which he accepted in order to work with

Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the British stage ...

, who played General

Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur (26 January 18805 April 1964) was an American military leader who served as General of the Army for the United States, as well as a field marshal to the Philippine Army. He had served with distinction in World War I, was ...

. At the time of his death, Janssen had just begun filming a television movie playing the part of

Father Damien Father Damien or Saint Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. or Saint Damien De Veuster ( nl, Pater Damiaan or '; 3 January 1840 – 15 April 1889), born Jozef De Veuster, was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sac ...

, the priest who dedicated himself to the

leper Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria '' Mycobacterium leprae'' or '' Mycobacterium lepromatosis''. Infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This nerve d ...

colony on the island of

Molokai Molokai , or Molokai (), is the fifth most populated of the eight major islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is 38 by 10 miles (61 by 16 km) at its greatest length and width with a us ...

, Hawaii. The part was eventually reassigned to actor

Ken Howard Kenneth Joseph Howard Jr. (March 28, 1944 – March 23, 2016) was an American actor. He was known for his roles as Thomas Jefferson in '' 1776'' and as basketball coach and former Chicago Bulls player Ken Reeves in the television show '' The Wh ...

of the CBS series '' The White Shadow''.

Personal life

Janssen was married twice. His first marriage was to model and interior decorator Ellie Graham, whom he married in

Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Veg ...

on August 25, 1958. They divorced in 1968. In 1975, he married actress and model Dani Crayne Greco. They remained married until Janssen's death.

Death

Janssen was a heavy drinker who smoked up to four packs of cigarettes a day. He died from a sudden

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...

in the early morning of February 13, 1980, at his beachfront home in

Malibu, California Malibu ( ; es, Malibú; Chumash: ) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, situated about west of Downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate and its strip of the Malib ...

, at the age of 48. At the time of his death, Janssen was filming the television movie ''Father Damien''. Janssen was buried at the

Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery The Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary is a Jewish cemetery located at 6001 West Centinela Avenue, in Culver City, California. Many Jews from the entertainment industry are buried here. The cemetery is known for Al Jolson's elaborate tomb (desig ...

Culver City, California Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. Founded in 1917 as a "whites only" sundown town, it is now an ethnically diverse city with what was called the "third-most ...

. A non-denominational funeral was held at the Jewish chapel of the cemetery on February 17.

Suzanne Pleshette Suzanne Pleshette (January 31, 1937 – January 19, 2008) was an American theatre, film, television, and voice actress. Pleshette started her career in the theatre and began appearing in films in the late 1950s and later appeared in prominent ...

delivered the eulogy at the request of Janssen's widow.

Milton Berle Milton Berle (born Mendel Berlinger; ; July 12, 1908 – March 27, 2002) was an American actor and comedian. His career as an entertainer spanned over 80 years, first in silent films and on stage as a child actor, then in radio, movies and tel ...

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He is best known as the host of '' The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson received six P ...

, Tommy Gallagher,

Richard Harris Richard St John Francis Harris (1 October 1930 – 25 October 2002) was an Irish actor and singer. He appeared on stage and in many films, notably as Corrado Zeller in Michelangelo Antonioni's '' Red Desert'', Frank Machin in '' This Sporting ...

, Stan Herman,

Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British rock and pop singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry. With his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the best-selling ...

and

were among Janssen's pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers included

Jack Lemmon John Uhler Lemmon III (February 8, 1925 – June 27, 2001) was an American actor. Considered equally proficient in both dramatic and comic roles, Lemmon was known for his anxious, middle-class everyman screen persona in dramedy pictures, leadi ...

George Peppard George Peppard (; October 1, 1928 – May 8, 1994) was an American actor. He is best remembered for his role as struggling writer Paul Varjak in the 1961 film '' Breakfast at Tiffany's'', and for playing commando leader Col. John "Hannibal ...

James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality ...

and

Danny Thomas Danny Thomas (born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz; January 6, 1912 – February 6, 1991) was an American actor, singer, nightclub comedian, producer, and philanthropist. He created and starred in one of the most successful and long-running sitc ...

. According to friend and ''Fugitive'' co-star

Barry Morse Herbert Morse (10 June 19182 February 2008), known professionally as Barry Morse, was a British-Canadian actor of stage, screen, and radio, best known for his roles in the ABC television series '' The Fugitive'' and the British sci-fi drama '' ...

, "David Janssen was well known as one of the hardest working actors in the USA", regularly working 12–14 hours a day, and he kept working until his early death. For his contribution to the television industry, David Janssen has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located on the 7700 block of

Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...

Selected filmography

* '' It's a Pleasure'' (1945) as Davey / boy referee (uncredited) * ''

Swamp Fire A swamp is a forested wetland.Keddy, P.A. 2010. Wetland Ecology: Principles and Conservation (2nd edition). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 497 p. Swamps are considered to be transition zones because both land and water play a role in ...

'' (1946) as Emile's Eldest Son (uncredited) * ''

No Room for the Groom ''No Room for the Groom'' is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie, Don DeFore and Spring Byington.

'' (1952) as Soldier (scenes deleted) * ''

Francis Goes to West Point ''Francis Goes to West Point'' is a 1952 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Leonard Goldstein, directed by Arthur Lubin, and starring Donald O'Connor, Lori Nelson, Alice Kelley, and Gregg Palmer. The dis ...

'' (1952) as Cpl. Thomas * ''

Untamed Frontier ''Untamed Frontier'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Hugo Fregonese and starring Joseph Cotten, Shelley Winters and Scott Brady. The film, featuring the working title of ''The Untamed'' featured the feature film debuts of Suzan B ...

'' (1952) as Lottie's Dance Partner (uncredited) * ''

Bonzo Goes to College ''Bonzo Goes to College'' is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Frederick De Cordova and starring Maureen O'Sullivan, Edmund Gwenn, Charles Drake, Gigi Perreau, Gene Lockhart, and Bonzo. Plot Former lab chimpanzee Bonzo, suddenly literat ...

'' (1952) as Jack (uncredited) * ''

Yankee Buccaneer ''Yankee Buccaneer'' is a 1952 American adventure film directed by Frederick de Cordova and starring Jeff Chandler as a US Navy officer fighting pirates, and Scott Brady and Suzan Ball. Distributed by Universal-International and produced by How ...

'' (1952) as Beckett * ''

Back at the Front ''Back at the Front'' (titled ''Willie and Joe in Tokyo'' in the UK) is a 1952 American comedy film directed by George Sherman and starring Tom Ewell, Harvey Lembeck and Mari Blanchard, very loosely based on the characters ''Willie and Joe'' by B ...

'' (1952) as Soldier (uncredited) * '' Leave It to Harry'' (1954) as Quiz Show Host (short subject) * '' Chief Crazy Horse'' (1955) as Lt. Colin Cartwright * ''

Cult of the Cobra ''Cult of the Cobra'' is a 1955 American black-and-white horror film from Universal-International Pictures, produced by Howard Pine, directed by Francis D. Lyon, that stars Faith Domergue, Richard Long, Kathleen Hughes, Marshall Thompson, J ...

'' (1955) as Rico Nardi * ''

Francis in the Navy ''Francis in the Navy'' is a 1955 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Stanley Rubin and directed by Arthur Lubin. The film stars Donald O'Connor and Martha Hyer, and marked the first credited film role ...

'' (1955) as Lt. Anders * ''

The Private War of Major Benson ''The Private War of Major Benson'' is 1955 comedy film starring Charlton Heston, Julie Adams, Sal Mineo and Tim Hovey, about a tough-talking U.S. Army officer who must shape up the JROTC program at Sheridan Academy, a Catholic boys' military a ...

'' (1955) as Young Lieutenant * '' To Hell and Back'' (1955) as Lieutenant Lee * '' All That Heaven Allows'' (1955) as Freddie Norton (uncredited) * '' The Square Jungle'' (1955) as Jack Lindsay * '' Never Say Goodbye'' (1956) as Dave Heller * ''

The Toy Tiger ''The Toy Tiger'' is a 1956 American comedy film directed by Jerry Hopper and starring Laraine Day and Jeff Chandler. It is a remake of '' Mad About Music'' (1938). Plot New York City advertising executive Gwen Harkinson is a widow with a son, ...

'' (1956) as Larry Tripps * ''

Francis in the Haunted House ''Francis in the Haunted House'' is a 1956 American comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Robert Arthur, directed by Charles Lamont, that stars Mickey Rooney and Virginia Welles. This is the seventh and final film in Universal-I ...

'' (1956) as Police Lieutenant Hopkins * ''

Away All Boats ''Away All Boats'' is a 1956 American war film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Jeff Chandler, George Nader, Lex Barker, and Julie Adams. It was produced by Howard Christie from a screenplay by Ted Sherdeman based on the 1953 novel by Kenn ...

'' (1956) as Talker (uncredited) * '' Mr. Black Magic'' (1956) as Master of Ceremonies (short subject) * '' Showdown at Abilene'' (1956) as Verne Ward * ''

The Girl He Left Behind ''The Girl He Left Behind'' is a 1956 American romantic comedy film starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood. The supporting cast includes Jim Backus, Alan King, James Garner, and David Janssen. The film was written by Guy Trosper and directed by ...

'' (1956) as Capt. Genaro * ''

Lafayette Escadrille The La Fayette Escadrille (french: Escadrille de La Fayette) was the name of the French Air Force unit escadrille N 124 during the First World War (1914–1918). This escadrille of the ''Aéronautique Militaire'' was composed largely of Ameri ...

'' (1958) as Duke Sinclair * ''

'' (1960) as Sgt. Bill Hazen * ''

Dondi Donald Joseph White, "DONDI" (April 7, 1961 – October 2, 1998) was an American graffiti artist. Biography Early life Born in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, Dondi was the youngest of five children. He was of African American a ...

'' (1961) as Dealey * '' King of the Roaring 20s – The Story of Arnold Rothstein'' (1961) as Arnold Rothstein * ''

Ring of Fire The Ring of Fire (also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Rim of Fire, the Girdle of Fire or the Circum-Pacific belt) is a region around much of the rim of the Pacific Ocean where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. The Ring ...

'' (1961) as Sergeant Steve Walsh * ''

Twenty Plus Two ''Twenty Plus Two'' (a.k.a. ''It Started in Tokyo'') is a 1961 American mystery film directed by Joseph M. Newman and starring David Janssen, Jeanne Crain, and Dina Merrill. The film adapted Frank Gruber's 1961 novel of the same title. Plot Ja ...

'' (1961) as Tom Alder * ''

Man-Trap ''Man-Trap'' is a 1961 American neo-noir film about a Korean War veteran who becomes involved in a scheme to steal $3.5 million from a Central American dictator. The film was directed by Edmond O'Brien and stars Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen an ...

'' (1961) as Vince Biskay * ''

My Six Loves ''My Six Loves'' is a 1963 comedy film in Technicolor starring Debbie Reynolds as a Broadway star who takes a vacation and finds herself responsible for six abandoned children, in Gower Champion's directorial debut. It is based on the novel of the ...

'' (1963) as Marty Bliss * ''

'' (1967) as Sgt. Tom Valens * ''

'' (1968) as George Beckworth * '' The Shoes of the Fisherman'' (1968) as George Faber * '' Where It's At'' (1969) as A.C. * ''

'' (1969) as Ted Dougherty * ''

Generation A generation refers to all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. It can also be described as, "the average period, generally considered to be about 20–⁠30 years, during which children are born and gr ...

'' (1969) as Jim Bolton * '' Macho Callahan'' (1970) as Diego Callahan * '' Once Is Not Enough'' (1975) as Tom Colt * ''

The Swiss Conspiracy ''The Swiss Conspiracy'' is a 1976 action film directed by Jack Arnold and starring David Janssen, Senta Berger and Elke Sommer. It was co-produced between West Germany and the United States. Plot A Swiss bank learns that the confidentiality ...

'' (1976) as David Christopher * ''

Two-Minute Warning In most levels of professional American football, the two-minute warning is a suspension of play that occurs when two minutes remain on the game clock in each half of a game, i.e., near the end of the second and fourth quarters, and overtime. It ...

'' (1976) as Steve * ''

Warhead A warhead is the forward section of a device that contains the explosive agent or toxic (biological, chemical, or nuclear) material that is delivered by a missile, rocket, torpedo, or bomb. Classification Types of warheads include: * Expl ...

'' (1977) as Tony Stevens * ''

Golden Rendezvous ''Golden Rendezvous'' is a 1977 South African action thriller film directed by Ashley Lazarus and starring Richard Harris, Ann Turkel and David Janssen. It was based on the 1962 novel ''The Golden Rendezvous'' by Alistair MacLean. Plot The ''C ...

'' (1977) as Charles Conway * '' Covert Action'' (1978) as Lester Horton * '' Inchon'' (1981) as David Feld (scenes deleted after premiere; final film role; filmed in 1979; released posthumously)

Television films

* ''Belle Sommers'' (1962) as Danny Castle * ''Night Chase'' (1970) as Adrian Vico * '' The Longest Night'' (1972) as Alan Chambers * ''

Moon of the Wolf ''Moon of the Wolf'' is an American TV movie broadcast on September 26, 1972 on ''ABC Movie of the Week''. It stars David Janssen, Barbara Rush, Geoffrey Lewis and Bradford Dillman, with a script by Alvin Sapinsley (based on Leslie H. Whitten's ...

'' (1972) as Sheriff Aaron Whitaker * '' Hijack'' (1973) as Jake Wilkenson * ''

'' (1973) as Harry Walker * '' Harry O – Such Dust As Dreams Are Made On'' (1973) as Harry Orwell * ''Pioneer Woman'' (1973) as Robert Douglas * '' Harry O – Smile Jenny, You're Dead'' (1974) as Harry Orwell * ''Don't Call the Police'' (1974) as Harry Orwell * ''Fer-de-Lance'' (1974) as Russ Bogan * ''

Stalk the Wild Child Stalk the Wild Child is a fact based 1976 American television film directed by William Hale and starring David Janssen. Plot A psychologist attempts to civilize a child found in the forest. Cast *David Janssen as Dr. James Hazard *Trish Van De ...

'' (1976) as Dr. James Hazard * ''

Mayday at 40,000 Feet! ''Mayday at 40,000 Feet!'' (aka ''Panic in the Open Sky'' and ''Mayday: 40,000 ft!'') is a 1976 American made-for-television drama film, directed by Robert Butler. The film stars David Janssen, Don Meredith and Christopher George, along wit ...

'' (1976) as Captain Pete Douglass * ''A Sensitive, Passionate Man'' (1977) as Michael Delaney * '' Superdome'' (1978) as Mike Shelley * '' Nowhere to Run'' (1978) as Harry Adams * ''

S.O.S. Titanic ''S.O.S. Titanic'' is a British- American 1979 drama disaster television movie that depicts the doomed 1912 maiden voyage from the perspective of three distinct groups of passengers in First, Second, and Third Class. The script was written by J ...

'' (1979) as John Jacob Astor * ''The Golden Gate Murders'' (1979) as Det. Sgt. Paul Silver * '' High Ice'' (1980) as Glencoe MacDonald * '' City in Fear'' (1980) as Vince Perrino (released posthumously) * ''

: The Leper Priest'' – 1980 (Incomplete – Replaced by Ken Howard)

Television

* ''

Boston Blackie Boston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle (1881–1928). Blackie, a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's stories, became a detective in adaptations for films, radio and television—an "enemy to those who make him ...

'' (1 episode, 1951) as Armored Car Driver (uncredited) * ''

Lux Video Theatre ''Lux Video Theatre'' is an American television anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1957. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays. Overview The ''Lux Vid ...

'' (3 episodes, 1955–1956) as Johnny Reynolds Jr. / Joe Davies / Ralph * ''

Matinee Theatre ''Matinee Theater'' is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from October 31, 1955, to June 27, 1958. Its name is often seen as ''Matinee Theatre''. The series, which ran daily from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. E ...

'' (1 episode, 1956) as Paul Merrick * ''

'' (1 episode, 1956) as Arnie Hix * '' Conflict'' (1 episode, 1957) as Sid Lukes * '' You Are There'' (1 episode, 1957) as Great Dalton * ''

U.S. Marshal The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States. The USMS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice, operating under the direction of the Attorney General, but serves as the enforce ...

'' (1 episode, ????) * ''

Alcoa Theatre ''Alcoa Theatre'' is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on Monday nights from September 30, 1957 to May 23, 1960. The program also aired under the title ''Turn of Fate''. ''Alcoa Theatre'' was syndicated together ...

'' (2 episodes, 1957–1958) as Jim McCandless / Mike Harper * '' The Millionaire'' (2 episodes, 1957–1958) as David Barrett / Peter Miller * '' Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater'' (4 episodes, 1957–1959) as Dix Porter / Seth Larker / Tod Owen / Danny Ensign * ''

'' (77 episodes, 1957–1960) as Richard Diamond / Chuck Garrett * ''

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse ''Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse'' is an American television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. The show ran on the Columbia Broadcasting System between 1958 and 1960. Three of its 48 episodes served as pilots for the 1950s televisio ...

'' (1 episode, 1959) as Ross Ingraham * ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program ...

'' (1 episode, 1961) as Dr. Bill Breckenridge * '' Adventures in Paradise'' (1 episode, 1961) as Scotty Bell * ''

Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

'' (1 episode, 1962) * '' Target: The Corruptors'' (1x19 The Middle Man, 1962) as Robbie Wilson * ''

General Electric Theater ''General Electric Theater'' was an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations. Radio After an audition show ...

'' (1 episode, 1962) as Pat Howard * '' Follow the Sun'' (2 episodes, 1962) as Johnny Sadowsky * ''

Checkmate Checkmate (often shortened to mate) is any game position in chess and other chess-like games in which a player's king is in check (threatened with ) and there is no possible escape. Checkmating the opponent wins the game. In chess, the king is ...

'' (1 episode, 1962) as Len Kobalsky * ''

Cain's Hundred ''Cain's Hundred'' is an American crime drama series that aired on NBC from 1961 to 1962. The series was produced by Vanadas Productions, Inc. in association with MGM Television. Synopsis ''Cain's Hundred'' follows the life of Nicholas Cain (Pet ...

'' (1 episode, 1962) as Dan Mullin * ''

Kraft Mystery Theatre ''Kraft Television Theatre'' is an American anthology drama television series running from 1947 to 1958. It began May 7, 1947 on NBC, airing at 7:30pm on Wednesday evenings until December of that year. It first promoted MacLaren's Imperial Chees ...

'' (1 episode, 1962) * '' Route 66'' (S3E1, 1962) as Karno Starling * '' The Eleventh Hour'' (1 episode, 1962) as Hal Kincaid * '' The Dick Powell Show'' (1 episode, 1963) as Kenneth 'Ken' Morgan * '' Naked City'' (2 episodes, 1961–1963) as Carl Ashland / Blair Cameron * '' The Fugitive'' (120 episodes, 1963–1967) as Dr. Richard Kimble / varied aliases * '' The Hollywood Palace'' (1 episode, 1965) * '' O'Hara, U.S. Treasury'' (22 episodes, 1971–1972) as Jim O'Hara / James O'Hara * ''

Cannon A cannon is a large- caliber gun classified as a type of artillery, which usually launches a projectile using explosive chemical propellant. Gunpowder ("black powder") was the primary propellant before the invention of smokeless powder ...

'' (1 episode, 1973) as Ian Kirk * ''

'' (44 episodes, 1973–1976) as Harry Orwell * '' Police Story'' (1 episode, 1977) as Sgt. Joe Wilson * '' The Word'' (1978) as Steve Randall * ''

Centennial {{other uses, Centennial (disambiguation), Centenary (disambiguation) A centennial, or centenary in British English, is a 100th anniversary or otherwise relates to a century, a period of 100 years. Notable events Notable centennial events at a ...

'' (1 episode, 1979, and narrator for all 12 episodes, 1978–1979) as Paul Garrett / Narrator * ''

Biography A biography, or simply bio, is a detailed description of a person's life. It involves more than just the basic facts like education, work, relationships, and death; it portrays a person's experience of these life events. Unlike a profile or c ...

'' (1979) as Host

Bibliography

* * David Janssen – Our Conversations: The Early Years (1965–1972): Volume 1 Michael Phelps * David Janssen: Our Conversations: The Final Years: (1973–1980): Volume 2 Michael Phelps

References

External links

*
The David Janssen Archive
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Janssen, David 1931 births 1980 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors American people of Irish descent Burials at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery Fairfax High School (Los Angeles) alumni Male actors from Nebraska People from Franklin County, Nebraska United States Army soldiers