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David Janssen

David Janssen TV Listings

David Janssen is not on TV in the next 2 weeks

David Janssen Biography

  • Birth Name: David Harold Meyer
  • Birth Place: Naponee, NE
  • Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 03/27/1931, Aries
  • Date of Death: 02/13/1980
  • Profession: Actor
David Janssen Fast Facts:
  • Made his film debut (unbilled) at 14 in Sonja Henie's It's a Pleasure (1945), playing Davey, a boy referee.
  • Signed a contract with 20th Century Fox at age 18 but was later dropped. He then signed with Universal and played over 30 supporting roles before landing his big break as the star of the series Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957-60).
  • The Richard Diamond series was produced by Four Star, whose owner, Dick Powell, had played the private detective on the radio (1949-52).
  • Most popular role was Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive (1963-67); its final episode drew a then-record audience.
  • Tested to play Nicky Arnstein, opposite Barbra Streisand, in 1968's Funny Girl (after the diva refused to take second billing to first choice Frank Sinatra).
  • Starred in two other series: O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971-72), and Harry O (1974-76).
  • Died of a heart attack at 48; among his pallbearers were Gene Kelly, Gregory Peck, Milton Berle, Richard Harris and Rod Stewart.
    David Janssen Relationships:
  • Dani Crayne - Wife
  • Berniece Janssen - Mother
  • Ellie Graham - Ex-wife
  • Eugene Janssen - Stepfather
  • Harold Meyer - Father
  • Jill Janssen - Half Sister
  • Teri Janssen - Half Sister

  • David Janssen Awards:
  • 1961 Golden Globe: New Star of the Year - Actor - Nominee
  • 1966 Emmy: Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series - Nominee
  • 1967 Emmy: Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series - Nominee
  • 1964 Emmy: Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Series (Lead) - Nominee
  • 1965 Golden Globe: Actor in a Television Series - Nominee
  • 1966 Golden Globe: Actor in a Television Series - Winner

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