Acting
David Janssen
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
Filmography
Tim Conway: Timeless Comedy
Film · 2007
Inchon
Film · 1981
City in Fear
Film · 1980
S.O.S. Titanic
Film · 1980
High Ice
Film · 1980
The Golden Gate Murders
Film · 1979
Covert Action
Film · 1978
Nowhere to Run
Film · 1978
Superdome
Film · 1978
Centennial
Series · 1978
The Word
Series · 1978
Golden Rendezvous
Film · 1977
Warhead
Film · 1977
Mayday at 40,000 Feet
Film · 1977
A Sensitive, Passionate Man
Film · 1977
Two-Minute Warning
Film · 1976
The Swiss Conspiracy
Film · 1976
Joys
Film · 1976
Stalk the Wild Child
Film · 1976
Once Is Not Enough
Film · 1975
Smile Jenny, You're Dead
Film · 1974
Fer-de-Lance
Film · 1974
Harry O
Series · 1974
Dinah!
Series · 1974
Birds of Prey
Film · 1973
Pioneer Woman
Film · 1973
Hijack!
Film · 1973
Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On
Film · 1973
Police Story
Series · 1973
Moon of the Wolf
Film · 1972
The Longest Night
Film · 1972
Macho Callahan
Film · 1971
O'Hara, United States Treasury: Operation Cobra
Film · 1971
Cannon
Series · 1971
O'Hara, U.S. Treasury
Series · 1971
Night Chase
Film · 1970
Marooned
Film · 1969
Generation
Film · 1969
Where It's At
Film · 1969
The Green Berets
Film · 1968
The Shoes of the Fisherman
Film · 1968
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Series · 1968
Warning Shot
Film · 1967
The Hollywood Palace
Series · 1964
My Six Loves
Film · 1963
The Fugitive
Series · 1963
The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers
Film · 1962
Belle Sommers
Film · 1962
The Merv Griffin Show
Series · 1962
The Eleventh Hour
Series · 1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Series · 1962
King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein
Film · 1961
Man-Trap
Film · 1961
Twenty Plus Two
Film · 1961
Ring of Fire
Film · 1961
Dondi
Film · 1961
Cain's Hundred
Series · 1961
Target: The Corruptors!
Series · 1961
The Mike Douglas Show
Series · 1961
The Dick Powell Show
Series · 1961
The Mike Douglas Show
Series · 1961
Hell to Eternity
Film · 1960
Route 66
Series · 1960
Checkmate
Series · 1960
Adventures in Paradise
Series · 1959
Lafayette Escadrille
Film · 1958
Naked City
Series · 1958
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
Series · 1958
Naked City
Series · 1958
U.S. Marshall
Series · 1958
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Series · 1957
Alcoa Theatre
Series · 1957
Showdown at Abilene
Film · 1956
Never Say Goodbye
Film · 1956
Francis in the Haunted House
Film · 1956
Toy Tiger
Film · 1956
The Girl He Left Behind
Film · 1956
Away All Boats
Film · 1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Series · 1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Series · 1956
Whack-O!
Series · 1956
Chief Crazy Horse
Film · 1955
Cult of the Cobra
Film · 1955
Francis in the Navy
Film · 1955
To Hell and Back
Film · 1955
The Private War of Major Benson
Film · 1955
The Square Jungle
Film · 1955
All That Heaven Allows
Film · 1955
The Millionaire
Series · 1955
Matinee Theater
Series · 1955
The Millionaire
Series · 1955
General Electric Theater
Series · 1953
Yankee Buccaneer
Film · 1952
No Room for the Groom
Film · 1952
Francis Goes to West Point
Film · 1952
Boston Blackie
Series · 1951
Lux Video Theatre
Series · 1950
Lux Video Theatre
Series · 1950
Golden Globe Awards
Series · 1944