King Donovan
| King Donovan | |
|---|---|
 King Donovan as Jack in the trailer for Invasion of the Body Snatchers |
|
| Born | 25 January 1918 Manhattan, New York City |
| Died | 30 June 1987 (aged 69) Branford, Connecticut |
| Spouse | Imogene Coca (1960–87) |
King Donovan (25 January 1918 – 30 June 1987) was an American film, stage, and television actor, as well as a film and television director.
Contents |
[edit] Acting work
[edit] Film
His film acting work includes Jack in the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers; a role later reprised by Jeff Goldblum in the 1978 version, Solly in The Defiant Ones, Joe Capper in Cowboy, Mack McGee in the original Angels in the Outfield, Major Collins in The Perfect Furlough, and an uncredited but recognizable role in Singin' in the Rain as Rod (head of the Publicity Department).
[edit] Stage
In 1948, Donovan appeared on Broadway in The Vigil.
[edit] Television
Notable television roles include Jake Clampett (a deadbeat who mooches off the Clampetts) for two episodes of CBS's The Beverly Hillbillies and Harvey Helm in a 17-episode stint on NBC's The Bob Cummings Show. Donovan also appeared in six episodes as Chris Norman of It's a Great Life, a sitcom with Frances Bavier, James Dunn and Michael O'Shea, which aired on NBC from 1954 to 1956. About this time, he also guest starred on Ray Bolger's ABC sitcom, Where's Raymond?[1]
[edit] Directing work
In 1963 Donovan directed the film Promises! Promises!, which received attention as the first sound film to feature a mainstream film star (Jayne Mansfield) nude. Later the same year Donovan directed two episodes of Grindl, which starred his wife Imogene Coca and two more the next year.
[edit] Personal life
Donovan married comedienne Imogene Coca and remained married to her until his death.
[edit] Filmography
| titel | Role | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Secret | Fawnes, Bigot Gang Member | 1948 | film debut |
| Man from Texas | Sam (mortgage officer) | 1948 | — |
| The Pilgrimage Play | Salathiel | 1949 | — |
| Shockproof | Joe Wilson (uncredited) | 1949 | first time Donovanplayed a character with a first and last name |
| Alias Nick Beal | Peter Wolfe | 1949 | Donovan's highest billed role (7th) at the time |
| All the King's Men | Reporter (uncredited) | 1949 | Won the Academy Award for Best Picture |
| Side Street | Det. Gottschalk (uncredited) | 1950 | — |
| One Way Street | Grieder | 1950 | — |
| Cargo to Capetown | Sparky Jackson (uncredited) | 1950 | stars John Ireland, the star of Donovan's debut film |
| Mystery Street | Reporter at Beach House (uncredited) | 1950 | — |
| A Lady Without Passport | Surgeon (uncredited) | 1950 | — |
| Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye | Driver (uncredited) | 1950 | — |
| Right Cross | Fifth Reporter (uncredited) | 1950 | — |
| The Sun Sets at Dawn | Reporter, National News Service | 1950 | — |
| Storm Warning | Ambulance Driver (uncredited) | 1951 | starred future president Ronald Reagan |
| The Enforcer | Sgt. Whitlow | 1951 | — |
| The Great Missouri Raid | Witness (uncredited) | 1951 | — |
| Three Guys Named Mike | Willy (uncredited) | 1951 | — |
| The Redhead and the Cowboy | Munroe | 1951 | — |
| The Scarf | Piano Player | 1951 | — |
| Little Bighorn | Pvt. James Corbo | 1951 | — |
| The Prince Who Was a Thief | Merat (uncredited) | 1951 | — |
| Take Care of My Little Girl | Cab Driver (uncredited) | 1951 | — |
| His Kind of Woman | Reporter (uncredited) | 1951 | — |
| Behave Yourself! | Lingerie Shop Manager (uncredited) | 1951 | — |
| Angels in the Outfield | Mack McGee | 1951 | First Donovan film to be remade. First time Donovan appeared in a film trailer. |
| Come Fill the Cup | Kip Zunches | 1951 | — |
| The Unknown Man | News Photographer on Courthouse Steps (uncredited) | 1951 | — |
| Something to Live For | Stage Manager (uncredited) | 1952 | — |
| Singin' in the Rain | Rod (uncredited) | 1952 | Although his role is uncredited it is recognizable. Film voted best musical of the century and fifth best film of the century by AFI. |
| Glory Alley | Telephone Technician (uncredited) | 1952 | — |
| Sally and Saint Anne | Hymie Callahan (uncredited) | 1952 | — |
| The Merry Widow | Nitki (uncredited) | 1952 | — |
| The Magnetic Monster | Dr. Dan Forbes | 1953 | — |
Donovan filmed scenes for an undetermined role in the 1949 film I Was a Male War Bride, but his scenes were deleted.
| Title | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Promises! Promises! | 1963 | First sound film to feature a mainstream film star (Jayne Mansfield) nude. Only film Donovan ever directed. |
| Grindl (4 episodes) | 1963–1964 | Series starred Donovan's wife, Imogene Coca. |
| That Girl (1 episode) | 1968 | — |
[edit] References
[edit] Referencdes
- ^ "Where's Raymond?/ The Ray Bolger Show". ctva.biz. http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/RayBolgerShow.htm. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
[edit] External links
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