DJ
David Janssen
Actor
Died February 13, 1980 (48 years)
David Janssen was born David Harold Meyer in 1931 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
From an IMDB Mini-Bio for David Janssen
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Filmography
| 2003 | Los Angeles Plays Itself · as Steve In Two-Minute Warning (archive Footage) |
| 1981 | Inchon · as David Feld |
| 1980 | Father Damien: The Leper Priest · as Father Damien De Veuster (rehearsed Only) |
| 1980 | City in Fear · as Vince Perrino |
| 1980 | High Ice · as Glencoe Macdonald |
| 1979 | The Golden Gate Murders · as Det. Sgt. Paul Silver |
| 1979 | S.O.S. Titanic · as John Jacob Astor |
| 1978 | The Word (1978) (TV Series) · as Steve Randall |
| 1978 | Centennial (TV Series) · as Narrator |
| 1978 | Covert Action · as Lester Horton |
| 1978 | Nowhere to Run · as Harry Adams |
| 1978 | Superdome · as Mike Shelley |
| 1977 | Golden Rendezvous · as Charles Conway |
| 1977 | A Sensitive, Passionate Man · as Michael Delaney |
| 1977 | Warhead · as Tony Stevens |
| 1976 | Two-Minute Warning · as Steve |
| 1976 | Mayday at 40, 000 Feet! · as Capt. Pete Douglass |
| 1976 | The Swiss Conspiracy · as David Christopher |
| 1975 | Once Is Not Enough · as Tom Colt |
| 1974 | Fer-de-Lance · as Russ Bogan |
| 1974 | Smile Jenny, You're Dead · as Harry Orwell |
| 1973 | Pioneer Woman · as Robert Douglas |
| 1973 | Hijack! · as Jake Wilkenson |
| 1973 | Police Story (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Harry O (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Birds of Prey · as Harry Walker |
| 1972 | Moon of the Wolf · as Sheriff Aaron Whitaker |
| 1972 | The Longest Night · as Alan Chambers |
| 1971 | Cannon (TV Series) |
| 1971 | O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (TV Series) |
| 1970 | Night Chase · as Adrian Vico |
| 1970 | Macho Callahan · as Diego Callahan |
| 1970 | The Tim Conway Comedy Hour (TV Series) · as Various |
| 1969 | Generation · as Jim Bolton |
| 1969 | Marooned · as Ted Dougherty |
| 1969 | Where It's At · as A.c. Smith |
| 1968 | The Shoes of the Fisherman · as George Faber |
| 1968 | The Green Berets · as George Beckworth |
| 1966 | Warning Shot · as Sgt. Tom Valens |
| 1963 | The Fugitive (TV Series) · as Richard Kimble |
| 1963 | My Six Loves · as Marty Bliss |
| 1963 | The Fugitive · as Dr. Richard Kimble |
| 1962 | The Eleventh Hour (TV Series) · as Hal Kincaid |
| 1961 | Target: The Corruptors (TV Series) |
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Show (TV Series) · as Kenneth 'ken' Morgan |
| 1961 | Man-Trap · as Vince Biskay |
| 1961 | Cain's Hundred (TV Series) · as Dan Mullin |
| 1961 | Follow The Sun (TV Series) · as Johnny Sadowsky |
| 1961 | Twenty Plus Two · as Tom Alder |
| 1961 | Ring of Fire · as Sergeant Steve Walsh |
| 1961 | King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein · as Arnold Rothstein |
| 1961 | Dondi · as Dealey |
| 1960 | |
| 1960 | Checkmate (TV Series) · as Len Kobalsky |
| 1960 | Hell to Eternity · as Sgt, Bill Hazen |
| 1959 | Adventures in Paradise (TV Series) · as Scotty Bell |
| 1958 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV Series) · as Ross Ingraham |
| 1958 | Naked City (TV Series) · as Blair Cameron |
| 1958 | Lafayette Escadrille · as Duke Sinclair |
| 1957 | Alcoa Theatre (TV Series) · as Mike Harper |
| 1956 | The Toy Tiger · as Larry Tripps |
| 1956 | Richard Diamond, Private Detective (TV Series) · as Richard Diamond / Chuck Garrett |
| 1956 | The Girl He Left Behind · as Capt. Genaro |
| 1956 | Zane Grey Theater (TV Series) · as Seth Larker |
| 1956 | The Sheriff of Cochise (TV Series) · as Arnie Hix |
| 1956 | Away All Boats · as Uncredited |
| 1956 | Francis in the Haunted House · as Police Lieutenant Hopkins |
| 1956 | Showdown at Abilene · as Verne Ward |
| 1956 | Never Say Goodbye · as Dave Heller |
| 1955 | The Square Jungle · as Jack Lindsay |
| 1955 | The Private War of Major Benson · as Young Lieutenant |
| 1955 | Matinee Theater (TV Series) |
| 1955 | All That Heaven Allows · as Freddie Norton (uncredited) |
| 1955 | To Hell and Back · as Lt Lee |
| 1955 | Francis in the Navy · as Lieutenant Anders |
| 1955 | Cult of the Cobra · as Rico Nardi |
| 1955 | Chief Crazy Horse · as Lt. Colin Cartwright |
| 1955 | The Millionaire (TV Series) · as Peter Miller |
| 1953 | You Are There (TV Series) · as Grat Dalton |
| 1953 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) · as Pat Howard |
| 1952 | Untamed Frontier · as Lottie's Dance Partner |
| 1952 | Back at the Front · as Soldier |
| 1952 | Yankee Buccaneer · as Beckett |
| 1952 | Bonzo Goes to College · as Jack |
| 1952 | Francis Goes to West Point · as Cpl. Thomas (as Dave Janssen) |
| 1952 | No Room for the Groom · as Soldier (scenes Deleted) |
| 1952 | Death Valley Days (TV Series) · as Dr. Bill Breckenridge |
| 1951 | Boston Blackie (TV Series) · as Armored Car Driver |
| 1950 | The Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) · as Ralph / Joe Davies |
| 1946 | Swamp Fire · as Emile's Eldest Son |
| 1945 | It's a Pleasure · as Davey |