Troy Donahue
Actor
January 27, 1936 — September 2, 2001 (65 years)
Troy Donahue (born Merle Johnson Jr., January 27, 1936 – September 2, 2001) was an American film and television actor and singer. He was a popular sex symbol in the 1950s and 1960s.
His father was Merle Johnson, the manager of the motion-picture department of General Motors. His mother, Edith Johnson, was a retired stage actress. Donahue attended a New York military academy, where he met Francis Ford Coppola. When Donahue was 18, he moved to New York and got a job as a messenger in a film company founded by his father. He was fired, he says, because he was too young to join the union. He attended Columbia University and studied journalism. He trained briefly with Ezra Stone, and then moved to Hollywood.
The big break of Donahue's career came when he was cast opposite Sandra Dee in A Summer Place, made by Warner Bros. in 1959. The director was Delmer Daves. Warner signed him to a long-term contract. They put him to work guest-starring in episodes of their Western TV series, such as Colt .45 (1959), Maverick (1959), Sugarfoot (1959), The Alaskans (1960), and Lawman (1960).
In 1968, Donahue signed a long-term contract with Universal Studios for films and TV. This lasted a year and saw him get four roles: guest shots on Ironside (1968), The Name of the Game (1968), and The Virginian (1969), and an appearance in the TV movie The Lonely Profession (1969).
Donahue declared bankruptcy in 1968 and eventually lost his home. In 1969, Donahue moved from Los Angeles to New York City. By this time, Donahue's drug addiction and alcoholism had ruined him financially. In May 1982, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous, which he credited for helping him achieve and maintain sobriety.
Donahue continued to act in films throughout the 1980s and into the late 1990s. Donahue's final film role was in the 2000 comedy film The Boys Behind the Desk, directed by Sally Kirkland.
On August 30, 2001, Donahue suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. He died three days later, on September 2, at the age of 65.
His father was Merle Johnson, the manager of the motion-picture department of General Motors. His mother, Edith Johnson, was a retired stage actress. Donahue attended a New York military academy, where he met Francis Ford Coppola. When Donahue was 18, he moved to New York and got a job as a messenger in a film company founded by his father. He was fired, he says, because he was too young to join the union. He attended Columbia University and studied journalism. He trained briefly with Ezra Stone, and then moved to Hollywood.
The big break of Donahue's career came when he was cast opposite Sandra Dee in A Summer Place, made by Warner Bros. in 1959. The director was Delmer Daves. Warner signed him to a long-term contract. They put him to work guest-starring in episodes of their Western TV series, such as Colt .45 (1959), Maverick (1959), Sugarfoot (1959), The Alaskans (1960), and Lawman (1960).
In 1968, Donahue signed a long-term contract with Universal Studios for films and TV. This lasted a year and saw him get four roles: guest shots on Ironside (1968), The Name of the Game (1968), and The Virginian (1969), and an appearance in the TV movie The Lonely Profession (1969).
Donahue declared bankruptcy in 1968 and eventually lost his home. In 1969, Donahue moved from Los Angeles to New York City. By this time, Donahue's drug addiction and alcoholism had ruined him financially. In May 1982, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous, which he credited for helping him achieve and maintain sobriety.
Donahue continued to act in films throughout the 1980s and into the late 1990s. Donahue's final film role was in the 2000 comedy film The Boys Behind the Desk, directed by Sally Kirkland.
On August 30, 2001, Donahue suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. He died three days later, on September 2, at the age of 65.
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Filmography
| 2016 | The Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959 · as Merle Johnson |
| 1999 | Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story · as Rob Kamen |
| 1998 | Legion · as FlemmingOn Plex |
| 1998 | Merchants of Venus · as Fbi Agent |
| 1997 | Bimbo Movie Bash · as Dr. Ackerman (archive Footage) |
| 1993 | Showdown · as Police Captain |
| 1992 | The Pamela Principle · as Troy |
| 1992 | The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 · as Merle Johnson |
| 1992 | Double Trouble · as Leonard |
| 1991 | Deadly Diamonds · as Matt Plimpton |
| 1991 | Shock 'Em Dead · as Record Exec |
| 1990 | Sexpot · as Phillip |
| 1990 | Shades of L.A. · as Jack Dymond |
| 1990 | Omega Cop · as Slim |
| 1990 | Cry-Baby · as Hatchet's Father |
| 1990 | Click: The Calendar Girl Killer · as Alan |
| 1990 | The Platinum Triangle · as Harold Farber |
| 1989 | Nudity Required · as Jack |
| 1989 | Hot Times at Montclair High · as Mr. Nichols |
| 1989 | Dr. Alien · as Dr. Ackerman |
| 1989 | Terminal Force · as SlimOn Plex |
| 1989 | American Rampage · as Police PsychiatristOn Plex |
| 1989 | Blood Nasty · as Barry HefnaOn Plex |
| 1989 | Sounds of Silence · as Larry HaughtonOn Plex |
| 1989 | Assault of the Party Nerds · as Sid WitherspoonOn Plex |
| 1989 | The Chilling · as Dr. Miller |
| 1989 | Deadly Spygames · as Python |
| 1989 | Bad Blood · as Jack Barnes |
| 1988 | Hawkeye · as Mayor |
| 1988 | MonstersOn Plex |
| 1988 | Hard Rock Nightmare · as Uncle Gary |
| 1987 | Hollywood Cop · as Lt MaxwellOn Plex |
| 1987 | Deadly Prey · as Don Michaelson |
| 1987 | The Drifting Classroom · as Taggart |
| 1987 | Cyclone · as Bob Jenkins |
| 1987 | Fight to Win · as Rosenberg |
| 1986 | Low Blow · as John TempletonOn Plex |
| 1986 | Horrible Horror · as Jimmy Flanders, In Clips From 'monster On The Campus' |
| 1984 | Grandview, U.S.A. · as Donny Vinton |
| 1984 | Katy Caterpillar · as Chester |
| 1983 | Malibu · as Clint Redman |
| 1983 | Tin Man · as LesterOn Plex |
| 1982 | |
| 1982 | Diner · as Johnny Hunter |
| 1978 | |
| 1978 | |
| 1977 | The Godfather: A Novel for Television · as Merle Johnson |
| 1977 | Ultraje · as Daniel |
| 1977 | |
| 1977 | The Love Boat · as Mr. Clark |
| 1977 | The Legend of Frank Woods · as Sheriff John Baxom |
| 1977 | |
| 1977 | Fantasy Island · as Jack Terry |
| 1976 | |
| 1975 | Ellery Queen · as Gilbert Mallory |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II · as Merle Johnson |
| 1974 | Seizure · as Mark Frost |
| 1974 | South Seas · as Steve |
| 1974 | Cockfighter · as Randall MansfieldOn Plex |
| 1971 | The Love-Thrill Murders · as Moon |
| 1970 | The Phantom Gunslinger · as Bill |
| 1968 | The Name of the Game · as Norman Hoak |
| 1967 | Ironside · as Father Dugan |
| 1967 | Those Fantastic Flying Fools · as Gaylord Sullivan |
| 1967 | |
| 1967 | Come Spy with Me · as Jill Parsons |
| 1965 | My Blood Runs Cold · as Ben Gunther |
| 1964 | A Distant Trumpet · as 2nd Lt. Matthew 'matt' Hazard |
| 1963 | Palm Springs Weekend · as Jim Munroe |
| 1963 | |
| 1962 | The Virginian · as Bracken |
| 1962 | Rome Adventure · as Don Porter |
| 1961 | Susan Slade · as Hoyt Brecker |
| 1961 | Parrish · as Parrish Mclean |
| 1960 | SurfSide 6 · as Sandy Winfield Ii |
| 1960 | The Crowded Sky · as Mcvey |
| 1959 | A Summer Place · as Johnny Hunter |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | Bourbon Street Beat · as Man On Phone (voice) |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | Imitation of Life · as Frankie |
| 1959 | Rawhide · as Buzz Travis |
| 1958 | Voice in the Mirror · as Paul Cunningham |
| 1958 | Monster on the Campus · as Jimmy FlandersOn Plex |
| 1958 | The Perfect Furlough · as Sgt. Nickles |
| 1958 | 77 Sunset Strip · as Sandy Winfield Ii |
| 1958 | Lawman · as David Manning |
| 1958 | |
| 1958 | Wild Heritage · as Jesse Bascomb |
| 1958 | This Happy Feeling · as Tony Manza |
| 1958 | Summer Love · as Sax Lewis |
| 1958 | Live Fast, Die Young · as Artie Sanders / Artie Smith |
| 1957 | Flood Tide · as Teenager At Beach |
| 1957 | The Tarnished Angels · as Frank Burnham |
| 1957 | The Monolith Monsters · as Hank Jackson |
| 1957 | Man of a Thousand Faces · as Assistant Director (uncredited) |
| 1957 | Colt .45 · as Jim Gibson |
| 1957 | The Californians · as JudOn Plex |
| 1957 | Maverick · as Dan Jamison |
| 1957 | Wagon Train · as Ted Garner |
| 1957 | Sugarfoot · as Ken Savage |
| 1957 | Man Afraid · as Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1957 | Tales of Wells Fargo · as Cliff Smith |
| 1955 | Matinee Theater · as Cast |
| 1954 | The Secret Storm · as R.b. Keefer (1970) |
| 2023 | Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed · as Self |
| 2002 | 8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - In Memoriam |
| 1996 | The Daily Show · as Self - Guest |
| 1985 | All-Star Party for 'Dutch' Reagan · as Self |
| 1983 | Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour · as Self - Panelist |
| 1977 | Sha Na Na · as Self |
| 1976 | Family Feud · as Self - Celebrity ContestantOn Plex |
| 1975 | Good Morning America · as Self - Guest |
| 1966 | The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon · as Self |
| 1964 | The Celebrity Game · as Self |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson · as Self - Guest |
| 1962 | The 34th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Audience Member |
| 1961 | The Mike Douglas Show · as Self |
| 1960 | Here's Hollywood · as Self |
| 1952 | American Bandstand · as Self |
| 1952 | I've Got a Secret · as Self - Guest Star |
| 1950 | The All New Truth or Consequences · as Self |
| 1950 | The Bob Hope Show · as Self |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show · as Self |
| 1944 | Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Nominee |