Don Megowan

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Don Megowan
File:Don Megowan.jpg
Born(1922-05-24)May 24, 1922
Inglewood, Los Angeles County
California, USA
DiedJune 26, 1981(1981-06-26) (aged 59)
Panorama City, California
Resting placeCalifornia
OccupationActor
Years active1951-1979
Spouses
  • Bette Megowan
  • (1947-1962; div)
  • Alva Megowan
  • (?-1981)
Children2 Vikki and Greg

Don Megowan (May 24, 1922 – June 26, 1981) was an American actor. He played the Gill-man on land in The Creature Walks Among Us, the final part of the Creature from the Black Lagoon trilogy.

Early life

Don Megowan was born in Inglewood, California to Robert and Leila (née Dale) Megowan. His mother Leila worked as a negative cutter for Pathé. At 6'7" Megowan was very active in sports, playing baseball, football, and throwing discus. He went to the University of Southern California on a football scholarship before serving in the United States Army during World War II.[1]

Career

Megowan starred in the science fiction films The Werewolf in the role of Sheriff Jack Haines, in The Creation of the Humanoids (1962) as a captain in the anti-robot Order of Flesh and Blood, who must stop the Humanoids, and in The Creature Walks Among Us as the Gill-man.

Megowan also appeared in westerns: Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955), The Great Locomotive Chase (1956), Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966), The Devil's Brigade (1968) and Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles (1974).

In 1962, he starred with Cameron Mitchell in the television series, The Beachcomber. He guest starred in various programs, including the westerns: Gunsmoke, Wagon Train (twice), The Californians, The Tall Man, Maverick, Cimarron City, Have Gun–Will Travel, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Rifleman, Lawman, Cheyenne, Colt .45, Bonanza, The Americans, Rawhide, and Daniel Boone. He was also cast in episodes of such series as Angel, U.S. Marshal, Get Smart, and Fantasy Island.

Death

Megowan, a smoker from age 12 to 48, died of throat cancer at age 59. His weight had dwindled from nearly 300 pounds to barely 150.[1]

Filmography

Don Megowan as the Gill-man
Don Megowan as The Monster in Tales of Frankenstein (1958)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Don Megowan "Coolest Father in the World" Interview with Vikki Megowan by Tom Weaver at Classic Images.com
  2. ^ Blottner, Gene (2015). Columbia Noir. p. 128. ISBN 0786470143.
  • The American Film Institute catalog of motion pictures ..., Numbers 1941-1950 by American Film Institute
  • Science Fiction Stars and Horror Heroes: Interviews with Actors, Directors ... by Tom Weaver
  • Don Megowan at Find a Grave
  • Don Megowan at IMDb
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