David Janssen
Acting
David Janssen (born David Harold Meyer; March 27, 1931 – February 13, 1980) was an American actor. He was born in Naponee, Nebraska, to Berniece Mae (Graf) and Harold Edward Meyer, a banker. He was of German, and some Swiss-German and Ulster-Scots, descent. David took the surname of his stepfather, Eugene Janssen. The Janssen family settled in Hollywood when he was a teenager and he attended Fairfax High School, where he developed an interest in acting. His film debut was a bit part in It's a Pleasure (1945), and at the age of 18 signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox. However, the studio dropped him after allegedly becoming disenchanted with his odd hairline and big prominent ears. Janssen had better luck at Universal, where he signed on in the early 1950s and became a supporting player in 32 films before appearing on TV as the star of Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1956). He resumed his movie career in 1961, a year after the series ended. His biggest success came from his lead in the series The Fugitive (1963), playing the haunted, hunted Dr. Richard Kimble, on the run for a murder he didn't commit. After the series ended, Janssen launched himself into a grueling schedule by appearing in lead and supporting roles in movies, but he had better luck with made-for-TV-movie roles and a short-lived series, O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971). He had another hit series with the cult favorite Harry O (1973). Janssen continued appearing in lead roles in nearly 20 made-for-TV-movies during the 1970s as well as other TV projects. He died in 1980 from a sudden heart attack at his Malibu home at the age of 48. Unfounded speculation holds that Janssen succumbed to alcoholism, a problem that plagued him most of his adult life. There were even unfounded rumors about drug use. However, a much more reasonable explanation for David Janssen's sudden demise is that this intense, dedicated, determined actor simply worked himself to death. From an IMDB Mini-Bio for David Janssen
Known for
Acting94
movieTim Conway: Timeless Comedy
2007
Self (archive footage)
movieInchon
1981
David Feld
movieCity in Fear
1980
Vince Perrino
movieS.O.S. Titanic
1980
John Jacob Astor
movieHigh Ice
1980
Glencoe MacDonald
movieThe Golden Gate Murders
1979
Det. Sgt. Paul Silver
tvThe Word
1978
Steve Randall
tvCentennial
1978
Narrator
movieCovert Action
1978
Lester Horton
movieNowhere to Run
1978
Harry Adams
movieSuperdome
1978
Mike Shelley
movieGolden Rendezvous
1977
Charles Conway
movieA Sensitive, Passionate Man
1977
Michael Delaney
movieMayday at 40,000 Feet
1977
Capt. Pete Douglass
movieWarhead
1977
Tony Stevens
movieStalk the Wild Child
1976
Dr. James Hazard
movieJoys
1976
Self
movieThe Swiss Conspiracy
1976
David Christopher
movieOnce Is Not Enough
1975
Tom Colt
tvDinah!
1974
Self
movieFer-de-Lance
1974
Russ Bogan
tvHarry O
1974
Harry Orwell
movieSmile Jenny, You're Dead
1974
Harry Orwell
moviePioneer Woman
1973
Robert Douglas
movieHijack!
1973
Jake Wilkenson
movieSuch Dust as Dreams Are Made On
1973
Harry Orwell
movieBirds of Prey
1973
Harry Walker
movieMoon of the Wolf
1972
Sheriff Aaron Whitaker
movieThe Longest Night
1972
Alan Chambers
movieMacho Callahan
1971
Diego Callahan
movieNight Chase
1970
Adrian Vico
movieGeneration
1969
Jim Bolton
movieMarooned
1969
Ted Dougherty
movieWhere It's At
1969
A.C. Smith
movieThe Shoes of the Fisherman
1968
George Faber
movieThe Green Berets
1968
George Beckworth
tvRowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
Self (uncredited)
movieWarning Shot
1967
Sgt. Tom Valens
tvThe Fugitive
1963
Richard Kimble
movieMy Six Loves
1963
Marty Bliss
tvThe Eleventh Hour
1962
Hal Kincaid
movieBelle Sommers
1962
Danny Castle
tvThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
Self - Co-Host / Self
tvThe Dick Powell Show
1961
Kenneth 'Ken' Morgan
movieMan-Trap
1961
Vince Biskay
tvCain's Hundred
1961
Dan Mullin
movieTwenty Plus Two
1961
Tom Alder
movieRing of Fire
1961
Sergeant Steve Walsh
movieDondi
1961
Dealey
tvRoute 66
1960
Karno Starling
tvCheckmate
1960
Len Kobalsky
movieHell to Eternity
1960
Sgt, Bill Hazen
tvAdventures in Paradise
1959
Scotty Bell
tvWestinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1958
Ross Ingraham
tvNaked City
1958
Blair Cameron / Carl Ashland
movieLafayette Escadrille
1958
Duke Sinclair
tvAlcoa Theatre
1957
Mike Harper
tvRichard Diamond, Private Detective
1957
Richard Diamond / Chuck Garrett
movieThe Girl He Left Behind
1956
Capt. Genaro
tvDick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956
Seth Larker / Dix Porter
tvWhack-O!
1956
Boy in hobby class
movieShowdown at Abilene
1956
Verne Ward
tvU.S. Marshall
1956
Arnie Hix
movieAway All Boats
1956
uncredited
movieFrancis in the Haunted House
1956
Police Lieutenant Hopkins
movieToy Tiger
1956
Larry Tripps
movieNever Say Goodbye
1956
Dave Heller
movieThe Square Jungle
1955
Jack Lindsay
movieAll That Heaven Allows
1955
Freddie Norton (uncredited)
movieFrancis in the Navy
1955
Lieutenant Anders
movieThe Private War of Major Benson
1955
Young Lieutenant
movieChief Crazy Horse
1955
Lt. Colin Cartwright
movieCult of the Cobra
1955
Rico Nardi
tvThe Millionaire
1955
Peter Miller / David Barrett
tvGeneral Electric Theater
1953
Pat Howard
movieYankee Buccaneer
1952
Beckett
movieFrancis Goes to West Point
1952
Corporal Thomas
movieNo Room for the Groom
1952
Soldier (scenes deleted)
tvBoston Blackie
1951
Armored Car Driver (uncredited)
Lux Video Theatre
1950
Ralph / Joe Davies / Johnny Reynolds, Jr.
tvGolden Globe Awards
1944
Self - Nominee