HWOF

David Janssen portrayed as Harry Orwell in the TV series Harry O

Source: Freebase

David Janssen (March 27, 1931 – February 13, 1980) was an American film and television actor who is best known for his starring role as Dr. Richard Kimble in the television series The Fugitive (1963–1967).

Janssen appeared in many television series before he landed programs of his own. In 1956, he and Peter Breck appeared in John Bromfield’s syndicated series Sheriff of Cochise in the episode “The Turkey Farmers”. Later, he guest starred on NBC’s medical drama The Eleventh Hour in the role of Hal Kincaid in the 1962 episode “Make Me a Place”, with series co-stars Wendell Corey and Jack Ging. He joined Milner in a 1962 episode of Route 66 as the character Kamo in the episode “One Tiger to a Hill.”

He starred in four television series of his own — Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957-60), the hit Quinn Martin production The Fugitive (1963-67), O’Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971–72), and Harry O (1974–76). At the time, the final episode of The Fugitive held the record for the greatest number of American homes with television sets to watch a series finale, at 72% in August 1967.

Janssen’s films include To Hell and Back, the autobiography of Audie Murphy, who is considered the most decorated soldier in the military history of the United States; John Wayne’s war film The Green Berets (1968), and opposite Gregory Peck in the space story Marooned about three stranded astronauts. One of his later film roles was as a much younger woman’s lover in Once Is Not Enough, based on the best-seller by Jackie Susann.

He was not known for comedy but did have a starring role in one called Generation that also featured Pete Duel, Kim Darby, and Carl Reiner. He gave a powerful performance as an alcoholic in the 1977 TV movie A Sensitive, Passionate Man that co-starred Angie Dickinson.

• Born: David Harold Meyer March 27, 1931 Naponee, Nebraska, U.S.
• Died: February 13, 1980 (aged 48) Malibu, California, U.S.
• Occupation: American film/television actor songwriter
• Years active: 1945-1980
• Spouse: Ellie Graham (1958-1970) Dani Crayne (1975-1980)

Read more about David Janssen at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database