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David Janssen

Person Score

 
9.3 Superb
30 votes

Your Score

Biography

Recent Role:
on Bump in the Night
Gender:
Male
Born:
3-27-1931
Died:
2-13-1980 (Heart Attack (in Malibu, California, USA))
Birthplace:
Naponee, Nebraska, USA
Birth Name:
David Harold Meyer
Dark-haired (with distinctive high temples), gravel-voiced seldom-smiling American actor, is in show business as a child. After an apprenticeship at Universal, he became perhaps television's most successful actor ever, especially in the series Richard Diamond (1957-1959), The Fugitive (1963-1966), O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971, the movie sequel), and Harry O (1973-1975). He exuded cynicism world-weariness and integrity, and was sometimes quite hypnotic to watch. He died from a heart attack at age 49. Has said that he played dozens of walk-on roles as a child in World War II films, but no recordMore of these seem to exist.

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  •  
    9.5 Superb
    A Likable Tough Guy hide show

    When I first saw David Janssen I wasn't impressed. He seemed too quiet and when he did speak, his voice was hushed. But I didn't write him off. I continued watching him. Once I got used to his personality, I began to see how versatile he was as an actor. He could play a mild-mannered doctor on the run (in the Fugitive) or a hardened private detective (in Harry O).

    He was popular with both men and women. Men liked him because he could be the macho tough guy, defeating the bad guys. Women liked his charm and gentle side, being able to stop and communicate with genuine concern.

    His personal vices of smoking and drinking caught up with him at the young age of 48 and he was gone, dead from a heart attack. Thankfully, through TV and movies, his legacy lives on.

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  •  
    10 Perfect
    David Janssen was an original. He had a sadness about him, even when he smiled. He had my heart the first time I laid eyes on him. Even though I was just a kid, he was everything I thought to be ideal in a man. hide show

    I believe I have seen just about everything David Janssen has done. From the big screen to television, his talent has never waivered. His mysterious personna was a large part of his appeal, at least to this reviewer. Although being a 'baby-boomer', I became aware of David Janssen, in an early 1960's movie called "Dondi". The plot revolved around a small group of U.S. troops overseas, during the Christmas holiday. A bunch of misfits, they befriend an orphan they call "Dondi". In the beginning, it's a hilarious and touching game of hide-and-go-seek from their gruff and pure Army, commanding officer! However, upon receiving orders to ship home, they sadly believe that is the last they will ever see of their new little friend. (But, don't run for that extra box of Kleenex just yet!) "Dondi" has plans of his own! If you like heartwarming entertainment, this is a 'must-see'!

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