David Janssen

Known for ActingBorn 1931-03-27Died 1980-02-13Naponee, Nebraska, USA

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 JanssenRead more

Movies & web series

Stalk the Wild Child

O'Hara, United States Treasury: Operation Cobra

Belle Sommers

The Golden Gate Murders

Centennial

U.S. Marshall

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Longest Night

The Fugitive

All That Heaven Allows

Covert Action

Nowhere to Run

Dinah!

Police Story

Golden Globe Awards

The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers

Alcoa Theatre

Whack-O!

Smile Jenny, You're Dead

The Shoes of the Fisherman

Twenty Plus Two

Toy Tiger

High Ice

Hijack!

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Richard Diamond, Private Detective

Cannon

General Electric Theater

Route 66

The Eleventh Hour

The Merv Griffin Show

The Private War of Major Benson

Mayday at 40,000 Feet

Lux Video Theatre

To Hell and Back

Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On

Two-Minute Warning

Warning Shot

King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein

Hell to Eternity

Never Say Goodbye

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

S.O.S. Titanic

Joys

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

Adventures in Paradise

O'Hara, U.S. Treasury

Marooned