Severn Darden
ActingSevern Teakle Darden Jr. (November 9, 1929 – May 27, 1995) was an American comedian and actor, and a founding member of The Second City Chicago-based comedy troupe as well as its predecessor, the Compass Players. He is known from his film appearances for playing the human leader Kolp in the fourth and fifth Planet of the Apes films. His live comedy improv skit under the character of "Walther von der Vogelweide" was influential with two generations of comic performers. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he attended the University of Chicago, where he was a "campus legend" according to poet Paul Carroll. Darden’s offbeat and intellectual sense of humor was a major element in the style of The Second City at that time, and is evident throughout his work. Carroll described him as a combination of surrealistic New Orleans and tough, caustic "Chicago Style" comedy. An example of his offbeat humor is the way he squeezed the phrase "Know thyself" into the seven-character limitation of a New Mexico license plate: NOYOSEF. Darden was a core comedian in Paul Sills' Compass Players, the first improvisation theater in the US; it performed around the Chicago area during the mid-1950s. Sills went on to found The Second City in 1959 and brought in many of the comedians from Compass Players, including Darden.
Known For
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
Dr. Fahrquardt
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Kolp
Real Genius
Dr. Meredith
Back to School
Dr. Barazini
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Kolp
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Cecil
Hopscotch
Maddox
Vanishing Point
J. Hovah
Saturday the 14th
Van Helsing
Justine
Bathazar
Filmography — Acting
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
Dr. Fahrquardt
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Kolp
Real Genius
Dr. Meredith
Back to School
Dr. Barazini
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Kolp
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Cecil
Hopscotch
Maddox
Vanishing Point
J. Hovah
Saturday the 14th
Van Helsing
Justine
Bathazar
Victory at Entebbe
Moshe Meyer
The Day of the Dolphin
Schwinn
The Hired Hand
McVey
Cisco Pike
Lawyer
The Legend of Hillbilly John
Mr. Marduke
Quarterback Princess
Mr. Hobart
P.J.
Shelton Quell
The President's Analyst
Kropotkin
Evita Peron
Alfredo Suero
Half Nelson
Morgue Attendant
Rooster
Conway
Model Shop
Camera Shop Owner
The Movie Murderer
Jimmy Apache
Jackson County Jail
Sheriff Dempsey
Wanda Nevada
Merlin Bitterstix
The Last Movie
Mayor
Luv
Vandergist
A Cry for Love
Paul
The Disappearance of Aimee
S.I. Gilbert
The Telephone
Mother, Jugs & Speed
Moran
Why Would I Lie?
Dr. Barbour
Once Upon a Midnight Scary
Jonathan Barnavelt
Dirty Little Billy
Big Jim McDaniel
In God We Tru$t
Priest
A Small Circle of Friends
Art Professor
Orphan Train
Mr. Barrington
Play It as It Lays
Hypnotist
Skyway to Death
Steve Kramer
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round
Miles Fisher
The War Between Men and Women
Dr. Harris
Fearless Frank
The Good Doctor / Claude
Outside Chance
Sheriff Dempsey
The Mad Room
Nate
Werewolves on Wheels
One
Playmates
Roger, Man in Gallery
The Man Who Died Twice
Harry
The Princess Who Had Never Laughed
Farmer Silas
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?
Mr. Fletch / Dr. DeHart
The Double-Barrelled Detective Story
H.S. Stevens
The Virgin President
U.S. President / Fillmard Millmore
Goldstein
Doctor
Love for Rent
Fred Hallem
Never Con a Killer
Cap
Bongo Wolf’s Revenge
To See or Not to See
Rendezvous Hotel
Albert Church
