Unfounded speculation holds that Janssen succumbed to alcoholism, a problem that plagued him most of his adult life. He was once again trying to mount a career on the big screen - no easy feat for an actor who now, by virtue of his television successes, was indelibly associated with the small one. The TV series ran from 1957 to 1960 and established David as an actor who could carry his own weight as the lead on a successful TV series. I co-authored "David Janssen-My Fugitive" with his first wife Ellie Janssen. Ironically, the first was filmed at Fort Ord and some of the real soldiers on base recognized David but didn't know he was there to film a movie and were confused to see him in a captain's uniform.David's first big break came when Dick Powell selected him for the title role of Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957). I'm from Nebraska and I feel guilty when I'm not working. It’s extremely difficult work.” His marriage was also difficult – and his wife, Lois, was reportedly tested by his alleged affairs. At the beginning of his film career he declined to have surgery to make his ears less prominent. Their mansion would have to go. He'd buy two copies of whatever book he wanted to read, one for his home in L.A. and one for his home in Palm Springs. [on his films at Universal] I played an 'agreer'. Biography - A Short WikiBest known for starring in the series, The Fugitive from 1963-1967 and for title roles in Richard Diamond, Private Detective and O’Hara, U.S. Treasury. Stubby Kaye Buster Keaton Brian Keith King George V King George VI King George VII King Edward VIII Eddie Kendrick Patrick Kennedy, son of John F. & Jackie Kennedy was born prematurely and died after 2 days. Very articulate. I would attempt to correct her, or at least point out differences (based on what David had told me of the same incidents, places, people). David Janssen with is wife Dani in New York, circa 1970. After his parents divorced when he was 4, David was left by his mother, a former Ziegfeld Follies showgirl, at L.A.’s McKinley Home for Boys for three years. “But as his fame grew internationally, she became insanely jealous and very insecure.”. The tv actor David Janssen died at the age of 48. David Janssen as Richard ... the series finale that promised to resolve the existential plight that made Kimble—falsely accused of murdering his wife and sentenced to … Closer Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein, View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Among the films released that year were Ring of Fire (1961), King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein (1961), Twenty Plus Two (1961), and Man-Trap (1961). She is currently divorcing her fourth husband, wondering who'll be No. Andy never smoked. Together they rent a penthouse condominium in Century City at 2220 Avenue of the Stars. Thirty years ago, Dani Janssen, the wife of the actor David Janssen, presided over her Oscar party like a Midwestern den mother, dishing up plates … His last TV movie City in Fear (1980) was broadcast a month after his death.David was exceptionally well-liked and admired by his fellow actors and production crews. There were even unfounded rumors about drug use. it is signed by both David Janssen and Ellie Graham on August 23, 1958. “He said to me one time, ‘It keeps me out of trouble, especially with my wives.’”. Garner met Lois at a political rally in 1956, the year before he started filming “Maverick,” and they tied the knot 14 days later. [on why he takes so many acting roles]: I have always considered myself basically unemployed. 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. We don't want to produce a generation of eggheads, do we? As a contract player at Universal-International in the 1950s, he attended Universal's acting classes with a fellow Universal contractee, Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Dr. Richard Kimble on. Co-stars Anthony Zerbe, Deborah Raffin and Jean Seberg thought he was wonderful to work with. Always in demand after that, he appeared in feature films and on TV throughout the 1960s and 70s. Help us build our profile of David Janssen and Dani Crayne! It was his stage mother who pushed him towards show business as a child and he appeared in bit parts in movies, TV variety shows, radio shows, and stage plays. - IMDb Mini Biography By: However, the studio dropped him after allegedly becoming disenchanted with his odd hairline and big prominent ears. He resumed his movie career in 1961, a year after the series ended. David Janssen, his "O'Hara US Treasury" series cancelled, is without a steady job or permanent home. He is better known for his TV performances. Called his highly successful TV series "The Fuge.". With David Janssen, William Conrad, Barry Morse, Paul Birch. For more on your favorite celebs, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive news! Contribute. Created by Roy Huggins. I don't think anyone can simply state the fan is wrong, but a published biographer who states he was a "good friend" and is citing Janssen's wife, is at least verifiable: Ellie Janssen, David's wife of ten years, was Jewish. “He hated it,” Phelps says. Known today for her parties for Oscar nominees. 1st married a sexy Frenchman, at age 16, then married 60's singer Buddy Greco, who lived in the same famous WeHo condo bldg, as Janssen, and his then wife (Sierra Tower), hooked up with Janssen, eventually marrying, and last married stuntman turned director (and Burt Reynolds best friend), Hal Needham. In 1974, David embarked on another career-defining role. she and Janssen attend the surprise party thrown by Marje Everett for her husband Webb at Chasen's. He was the son of Harold Edward Meyer (father) and Berniece Graf (mother). [on high school athletics] I broke a cartilage in my left knee cap while pole vaulting. David Janssen was an American TV and film actor. This is worth seeing again, even if Suzanne Pleshette WEREN'T upcoming on METV's "The Fugitive" next week. The star dedication was on his mother's birthday in 1989. She would dictate her recollections of various incidents, places and people. Younger half-brothers: Larry and Lee Meyer (twins born in 1942). (Photo by Max B. Miller/Fotos International/Getty Images) A 10-year marriage to Janssen’s real-life wife, Ellie Graham, unraveled in 1968, a year after the end of the hit series. The two became acquaintances, and Eastwood very briefly dated Janssen's widow, Dani Crayne. Died of a sudden heart attack at his house in bed during the early morning hours before dawn. The story is told by Ellie Janssen, David's ex-wife. 5 … Second wife of David Janssen. “He was happiest when he was working,” says Phelps. The Janssen family settled in Hollywood when he was a teenager and he attended Fairfax High School, where he developed an interest in acting. David was the son of Berniece Mae (Graf) and Harold Edward Meyer. However, an injury from pole vaulting led to the loss of the scholarship and a disappointed David decided not to pursue college. All Rights Reserved, The 1960s: Your Guide to 101 Classic (and Not-So-Classic) TV Shows From Your Youth, A Look at Betty White's Incredible TV Career Spanning 7 Decades, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), His Own Airport! She’s presently divorcing her fourth husband, wondering who’ll be No. Notably, David's voice-over narration is used to great effect and he would, over the course of his career, narrate other projects. 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). One of the most successful TV actors of the times. David Janssen personified Harry O (1973) in much the same way that he did The Fugitive (1963) a decade earlier, though with a totally different character. - IMDb Mini Biography By: David was Ellie's third husband; she was his first wife. When it was placed there, it was in front of David's favorite ice cream shops as a child. The hold that he had on the television-viewing public didn't wane right up until this untimely death at age 48.David Harold Meyer was born on March 27, 1931 in Naponee, Nebraska, the son of Berniece and Harold Meyer. Cult of the Cobra (1955), a cheesy horror movie that featured an amazing cast of future TV stars, allowed David to stretch his acting chops a bit more than usual, up to that point in his career. By 25, he had already appeared in about 20 films, but the TV series titled ‘The Fugitive' was the first major milestone of his career. A year later, he married model Ellie Graham in Las Vegas. Take a Tour, The Girl He Loves! On ice skates, David Janssen hosted "Highlights of the Ice Capades" (NBC-TV, Nov. 4, 1970). The star would say, 'Don't you think so.' 1961 was an especially busy year for David, who played the lead in five feature films. Nancy Sinatra attends David Janssen Funeral Service on February 17, 1980 at Hillside Memorial Cemetary in Los Angeles, California. David Janssen was previously married to Dani Crayne (1975 - 1980) and Ellie Graham (1958 - 1970). But in real life, one thing always eluded David: lasting happiness. He took on the surname of his stepfather, Eugene Janssen. David took the role of Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive (1963) and four very successful years followed. In 1975, David wed actress Dani Crayne, a socialite famous for throwing parties. David Janssen was born on March 27, 1931 in Naponee, a village in Franklin County in southern Nebraska, to Harold Edward Meyer, a banker (May 12, 1906 – November 4, 1990) and Berniece Graf (May 11, 1910 – November 26, 1995). In 1942, Mrs. Meyer settled in Hollywood where she became a top photographer’s model and played small roles in the movies. Their marriage fell apart after David had an affair with Fugitive guest star Suzanne Pleshette. He joined friend Martin Milner in a 1962 episode of Route 66 as the character Kamo in the episode "One Tiger to a Hill." While doing his own show, he had time to appear in a diverse range of projects, from guest starring on other TV series to stage work.In 1959, David, who didn't have the clout then that he would later enjoy, missed out on a supporting role in BUtterfield 8 (1960) when Elizabeth Taylor prevailed upon the producers to cast husband Eddie Fisher instead. American Actor David Janssen was born David Harold Meyer on 27th March, 1931 in Naponee, Nebraska, USA and passed away on 13th Feb 1980 Malibu, California, USA aged 48. He had another hit series with the cult favorite Harry O (1973). Ruggedly handsome—acceptable to men and down right attractive to women viewers—Janssen was almost the perfect TV hero. Made 21 TV movies, which includes two mini-series. As a contract player at Universal-International in the 1950s, he attended Universal's acting classes with a fellow Universal contractee, Clint Eastwood. He was born on March 27, 1931 at Naponee, Nebraska, United States. "At age 20, after a stint of summer stock in Maine, David landed a contract at Universal-International in the Talent Program. He died in 1980 from a sudden heart attack at his Malibu home at the age of 48. You have no idea how much work goes into an hour show. [in a October 1979 interview with 'People' magazine] It's harder and harder to get up in the morning. I was working hard and playing hard. 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. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, only about a block away from the Chinese Theater. Publicity Listings Stationed for two years at the Fort Ord base in northern California, Corporal Janssen was discharged at age 23 and was able finally to concentrate on Hollywood.By 1954, David was making a favorable impression at Universal and he was placed in minor roles in such popular films as To Hell and Back (1955), All That Heaven Allows (1955), and The Private War of Major Benson (1955). He had a reputation for working hard and he treated people well. I participated in life on what might be considered the grand scale, before I decided I had one hangover too many, one party too many, one charted plane and 14 servants too many. Dani Janssen has quite a history with men . His ancestry was German, and some Swiss-German and Scottish-Irish. Flying my own plane to parties all over the country and down to Mexico, having what I thought was a great time. 5 … In 1956, he and Peter Breck appeared in John Bromfield's syndicated series Sheriff of Cochise in the episode "The Turkey Farmers". It says her marriage was annulled in August 1957 and the reason was fraud. He was American by natinoanliy. Later, his acting in Showdown at Abilene (1956) so impressed the director that he quietly diffused David's energy by having him lean against a wall in most scenes so as not to upstage the lead actor in the movie.After his contract ended at Universal, David moved on to other studio pictures, notably supporting roles in two features at Warner Brothers: The Girl He Left Behind (1956) with friend Natalie Wood and Lafayette Escadrille (1958), William A. Wellman's passion project about World War I American pilots. July 73. she and Janssen are at the Directors Room of the Hollywood Park … she and Janssen go to see Butley, Alan Bates' Hollywood stage premiere, at Shubert's. The story is told by Ellie Janssen, David's ex-wife. New gal pal Dani Greco, now separated from singer-husband Buddy, also has a real estate problem. It is this portrayal that is often cited when one talks about the depth of David Janssen's performances. Janssen appeared in many television series before he landed programs of his own. Of his first nine roles, six were uncredited, and one was scenes deleted. David Janssen Spike Jones Boris Karloff Andy Kaufman died of oat cell carcinoma which is not associated with smoking. When they … But it was with his career-defining role as The Fugitive (1963) that he gained world-wide fame. He was a student at Fairfax High School, Los Angeles. | Photo: Getty Images DECLINING HEALTH The Fugitive was a drama television series about a … “But he had to figure out his life.” By the time David was divorced in 1968, Suzanne had gotten married to another man. As for being against athletics in high school - on the contrary, I'm all for it! I'd agree with him and disappear from the picture. Here, she's talking about her experiences with David Janssen, whom she loved and acted with, in "The Fugitive". David Janssen completely inhabited the character Richard Kimble and this show remains today a favorite among classic TV fans and critics alike, who refer to it with respect and awe.After the grueling schedule of 120 one-hour dramas as the sole lead actor over the course of four years, David sought work in feature films and was cast between 1967 and 1970 in The Green Berets (1968), The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968), Where It's At (1969), Marooned (1969), Generation (1969) and Macho Callahan (1970).Though David's career in film never really took off, he remained a fixture on TV in the 1970s. Calcium formed in my knee, and it is still very painful at times. She's always a juicy interview. This apprenticeship was interrupted after less than a year when the Army called him up. His maternal grandparents were Werner Daniel Graf and Verna Eliza Waggoner. He was of German, and some Swiss-German and Scottish-Irish, descent. David Janssen was on a constant quest for lasting happiness — meet the late 'Fugitive' actor's two wives, Ellie Graham and Dani Crayne. Pallbearers at his funeral on February 17, 1980 included, Contributed a turkey pot pie recipe to Diana Millay's cookbook "I'd Rather Eat Than Act.". “The first five years were bliss,” says Phelps. MissClassicTV, Other Works David Janssen 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). David took the surname of his stepfather, Eugene Janssen. I might prefer the life of a film producer: Get up at ten, have two-hour lunch breaks, fire everybody in the afternoon, and be ready for cocktails at 4:30 PM. However, a much more reasonable explanation for David Janssen's sudden demise is that this intense, dedicated, determined actor simply worked himself to death. David Janssen was born David Harold Meyer in 1931 in Naponee, Nebraska, to Berniece Mae (Graf) and Harold Edward Meyer, a banker. His wife Dani had called the police and fire department at 4:19 am-PST which arrived at his Malibu home within 20 minutes. Though I am sure she would lie about the year, I hardly think she would lie about the day. She divorced Meyer (now a … Profession: Actor Known For: His starring role as Richard Kimble in the television series The Fugitive Salary: Under review Net Worth: USD $1.2 million (approx) Family & Relatives. Too many cars that I never got around to drive. I'm suddenly feeling more and more tired every day. “He had a minibar in his bedroom, and that’s where he would stay.”, David’s heavy drinking — “I would call him a functioning alcoholic,” says Phelps — and smoking may have contributed to his death from a heart attack at 48 in 1980. While Sandra was enjoying an affair with Dean, his wife gave birth to a daughter Gina, but the pair had an unspoken pact not to discuss their families. Here is all you want to know, and more! His autopsy found physical signs of (and damage from) heavy smoking in his mouth and lungs. “Many times, his mother would call and say, ‘I’m picking you up,’ and she just wouldn’t show,’” friend Mike Phelps, co-author of David Janssen: My Fugitive, tells Closer Weekly in the magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands now. “David was one of the great loves of my life,” Suzanne later said about him. David Janssen played tennis, golf and was ambidextrous. It's three times harder than doing a half-hour show and that's not faulty arithmetic. David Janssen ended up in the hospital half the time and so did Jim Arness. Take a Tour of John Travolta's Florida Estate, Inside Tom Brady and Wife Gisele's Tampa Bay Mansion! 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