David Janssen

Acting

Born Mar 27, 1931

From Naponee, Nebraska, USA

Died Feb 13, 1980

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

David Janssen

Known For

The Green Berets

Moon of the Wolf

To Hell and Back

Marooned

All That Heaven Allows

Inchon

Los Angeles Plays Itself

Joys

The Shoes of the Fisherman

City in Fear

Filmography — Acting

The Green Berets

Moon of the Wolf

To Hell and Back

Marooned

All That Heaven Allows

Inchon

Los Angeles Plays Itself

Joys

The Shoes of the Fisherman

City in Fear

Two-Minute Warning

Once Is Not Enough

S.O.S. Titanic

Golden Rendezvous

Mayday at 40,000 Feet

Chief Crazy Horse

Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On

Smile Jenny, You're Dead

Francis in the Navy

Pioneer Woman

Francis in the Haunted House

The Private War of Major Benson

Away All Boats

Man-Trap

The Golden Gate Murders

Superdome

Covert Action

Warning Shot

No Room for the Groom

Hell to Eternity

The Longest Night

The Square Jungle

Hijack!

Yankee Buccaneer

Never Say Goodbye

The Girl He Left Behind

Cult of the Cobra

O'Hara, United States Treasury: Operation Cobra

Nowhere to Run

The Swiss Conspiracy

Stalk the Wild Child

Where It's At

Toy Tiger

Macho Callahan

The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers

My Six Loves

Ring of Fire

Francis Goes to West Point

A Sensitive, Passionate Man

Dondi

Lafayette Escadrille

High Ice

Night Chase

Birds of Prey

Fer-de-Lance

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

Showdown at Abilene

Warhead

Twenty Plus Two

Generation

Belle Sommers