Doug Savant
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (April 2009) |
Doug Savant | |
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| Spouse | Laura Leighton (1999-present) Dawn Savant 1983- 1997 |
Douglas Peter Savant (born June 21, 1964) is an American actor. He is probably best known for his roles as Matt Fielding on Melrose Place and Tom Scavo on the ABC dramedy series Desperate Housewives.
Biography
Career
Doug Savant first gained notice for playing a younger version of Mac McKenzie (played by Kojak alumnus Kevin Dobson) on the CBS Nighttime soap, Knots Landing. He was paired with future Desperate Housewives co-star Nicollette Sheridan, who played a younger version of the Anne Matheson character portrayed by Michelle Phillips.
In the eighties he appeared in such films as Masquerade, starring Rob Lowe, Teen Wolf, with Michael J. Fox, and Trick or Treat with Marc Price and Ozzy Osbourne. Additionally, he was the central character in an episode of The Outer Limits called The Hunt. In the episode, he plays an android that is being hunted for sport.
From 1992 to 1997, Savant starred as Matt Fielding on Melrose Place, a role that was notable for being one of the first mainstream openly gay characters on television. His role was, however, censored greatly by the network - notably a kiss between Matt and guest star Ty Miller during the season two finale was edited out at the last minute by FOX. Savant left the series after five seasons and, a year later, his character was killed offscreen in a car crash.
After this, Savant guest starred on series such as Profiler, Harsh Realm, Firefly, JAG, NCIS, Nip/Tuck, NYPD Blue, and a four-episode arc on 24. He also appeared as Sgt. O'Neal in the film Godzilla.
Savant currently plays Tom Scavo on ABC's Desperate Housewives. In the first season (2004-05), Tom was a recurring character, credited as a guest-star in the episodes he appeared. Married to Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman), he was out of town regularly on business. However viewer response to Savant and his character led the producers to contract him as a series regular from season two onwards, and Tom and Lynette have since been portrayed as the most stable couple on the series.
Personal life
Savant was born in Burbank, California He is married and has two children, Jack and Lucy, with former Melrose Place co-star Laura Leighton. He also has two daughters Arianna and Madeline with his previous wife Dawn Savant.