Keir Dullea
Keir Dullea | |
|---|---|
 Dullea (left) with Denver Pyle in Kraft Mystery Theatre's "Cry Ruin" (1962) | |
| Born | May 30, 1936 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Spouse(s) | Margot Bennett (m. 1960–1968) Susan Lessons (m. 1969–1970) Susie Fuller (m. 1972–1998, her death) Mia Dillon (m. 1999–present) |
| Children | Two stepdaughters |
Keir Dullea (/ˈkɪər dʊˈleɪ/; born May 30, 1936) is an American actor[1] best known for the character of astronaut David Bowman, whom he portrayed in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and in 1984's 2010: The Year We Make Contact. Other film roles include Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) and Black Christmas (1974).[2]
Personal life
Dullea was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Margaret (née Ruttan) and Robert Dullea.[3] Dullea was raised in the Greenwich Village section of New York City where his parents ran a bookstore. He graduated from George School in Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school he attended both Rutgers University in New Jersey and San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California, before he decided to pursue acting.[4]
Dullea has been married four times. His first marriage was to stage and film actress Margot Bennett from 1960 until their divorce in 1968. He was married from 1969 to 1970 to Susan Lessons. In 1972, Dullea married a third time to Susie Fuller, who had two daughters from a previous relationship. The couple had met during the London run of Butterflies Are Free. After their wedding, Dullea, Fuller and her children lived in London for several years. She died in 1998 after 26 years of marriage. In 1999, Dullea married actress Mia Dillon. They divide their time between an apartment in Manhattan and a house in Connecticut.
Career
Early career
Dullea made his film debut in 1961's Hoodlum Priest,[5] in which he played a juvenile delinquent, though he had had an earlier role as the German pilot in a 1960 television adaptation of Mrs. Miniver starring Maureen O'Hara. In 1962, he starred with Janet Margolin in David and Lisa, a film based on the book by Theodore Isaac Rubin, M.D., a psychiatrist who treated the two mentally ill adolescents portrayed in the film. He played a number of emotionally disturbed youths in films such as the first screen adaptation of James Jones' The Thin Red Line (1964), and Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965), which co-starred Dullea with Laurence Olivier, Carol Lynley, and Noël Coward. Although they shared no scenes together in the film, when Coward initially met Dullea on the set, he uttered the often quoted line, 'Keir Dullea, gone tomorrow.'
Dullea also appeared on television in shows such as Naked City, a police drama about New York City, The Eleventh Hour, a medical drama about psychiatry, and Channing, a drama about life on a college campus starring Jason Evers and Henry Jones. In 1965, he guest-starred as Lieutenant Kurt Muller in episode 20, "To Heinie, With Love", of 12 O-Clock High (TV series). He appeared with John Huston in the movie De Sade (1969), playing the title role (the Marquis de Sade). He also appeared with Anne Heywood and Sandy Dennis in the 1967 film The Fox.
In 1968 he appeared as astronaut David Bowman in Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey,[6] which became a box-office success and was eventually recognized by critics, filmmakers, and audiences as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. His line, "Open the pod bay doors please, HAL," is #78 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 movie quotes.
Later career
Since the great success of 2001, Dullea has had difficulty reproducing a similar success on film, although he was a regular vocal performer on CBS Radio Mystery Theater, which ran from 1974 to 1982. Dullea's other notable roles include Devon in the short-lived 1973 science fiction series The Starlost, Clayton Anderson Jr. in Madame X, Paul Renfield in The Fox, and Thomas Grambell in Brave New World (1981).
He had a major role in the Canadian production, 1974 cult classic Black Christmas. He also appeared as a regular cast member in the Canadian adult soap opera Loving Friends and Perfect Couples, which ran in 1983.[7]
In 1984, he reprised his role as David Bowman in 2010: The Year We Make Contact,[8] Peter Hyams' sequel to 2001. 2010 was nominated for five Academy Awards.[9]
In 2000, he appeared in The Audrey Hepburn Story as Hepburn's father Joseph.
In 2006, he had a role as a US Senator and a "major influence and mentor" to Matt Damon's character, in Robert De Niro's film The Good Shepherd.
Stage
Dullea has also had a long and successful career on stage in New York City and in regional theaters; he has stated that despite being more recognized for his film work, he prefers the stage.[4] His first Broadway appearance was in 1967 in Ira Levin's Dr. Cook's Garden with Burl Ives. Two years later he starred in the 1969 hit Broadway comedy, Butterflies Are Free alongside Eileen Heckart and Blythe Danner. The play detailed a blind youth's desire to break free from his overprotective mother and pursue love with a free spirited girl. In the play, he introduced the title song written by Stephen Schwartz (later recording the tune on an album for Platypus Records). In 1974, he played Brick in the Tennessee Williams classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opposite Elizabeth Ashley. The production featured the now definitive rewrite of the play.[citation needed] He also starred in the 1975 Broadway play, P. S. Your Cat Is Dead!. In 1982, Dullea starred in an Off-Broadway production of AE Hotchner's Sweet Prince, under the direction of his wife, Susie Fuller.[10] The following year, the couple co-founded the Theater Artists Workshop of Westport.[4]
In July 1984, Dullea was guest artist aboard the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2. On July 11, he performed Anton Chekov's one-act play "The Harmfulness of Tobacco" in the QE2 Theatre.
In December 2004, for their annual birthday celebration to "The Master", The Noel Coward Society invited Dullea as the guest celebrity to lay flowers in front of Coward's statue at New York's Gershwin Theatre, thereby commemorating the 105th birthday of Sir Noel. Around the same time, Sony Home Video released Bunny Lake Is Missing for the first time on DVD.
In April 2010, Dullea performed the role of Tom Garrison in the off-Broadway production of the Robert Anderson play, I Never Sang For My Father co-starring Oscar-nominated actress Marsha Mason (as Margaret Garrison) and film and stage actor Matt Servitto (as Gene Garrison).
In October 2012, Dullea performed the role of Heinrich Mann in the Guthrie Theater production of "Tales from Hollywood" by Christopher Hampton.
During August and September 2013, Keir Dullea, starred as Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," playing opposite wife Mia Dillon in a joint production for Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater and Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Hoodlum Priest | Billy Lee Jackson | |
| 1962 | David and Lisa | David Clemens | |
| 1964 | The Naked Hours | Aldo | |
| Mail Order Bride | Lee Carey | ||
| The Thin Red Line | Pvt. Doll | ||
| 1965 | Bunny Lake Is Missing | Stephen Lake | |
| 1966 | Madame X | Clayton Anderson Jr. | |
| 1967 | The Fox | Paul Grenfel | |
| 1968 | 2001: A Space Odyssey | Dr. David Bowman | |
| 1969 | De Sade | Louis Alphonse Donatien, Marquis de Sade | |
| 1972 | Devil in the Brain | Oscar Minno | |
| Pope Joan | Dr. Stevens | Uncredited Role | |
| 1973 | Paperback Hero | Rick Dylan | |
| 1974 | Paul and Michelle | Garry | |
| Black Christmas | Peter Smythe | ||
| 1977 | Three Dangerous Ladies | David | Segment: The Mannikin |
| Welcome to Blood City | Lewis | ||
| Full Circle | Magnus Lofting | ||
| 1978 | Leopard in the Snow | Dominic Lyall | |
| 1983 | Brainwaves | Julian Bedford | |
| 1984 | Blind Date | Dr. Steiger | |
| The Next One | Glenn/The Next One | ||
| 2010 | Dr. David Bowman | ||
| 1992 | Oh, What a Night | Thorvald | Released Direct-to-Video |
| 2000 | The Audrey Hepburn Story | Joseph Hepburn-Ruston | TV film |
| fr:La Divine Inspiration | Short film | ||
| 2003 | Three Days of Rain | ||
| Alien Hunter | Secretary Bayer | ||
| 2006 | The Day My Towers Fell | Harry Gold | Short film |
| A Lonely Sky | Older Man | Short film | |
| The Good Shepherd | Senator John Russell, Sr. | ||
| 2008 | The Accidental Husband | Karl Bollenbecker | |
| 2009 | Fortune | Jonah Pryce | |
| All Me, All the Time | Jake | ||
| 2012 | HENRi | Henri (voice) | Short film |
| 2013 | Isn't It Delicious | Bill Weldon | |
| 2014 | Infinitely Polar Bear | Murray Stuart | |
| Space Station 76 | Mr. Marlowe |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse | Tim Dryden | Episode: Cry Ruin |
| Mrs. Miniver | German Pilot | CBS TV-Movie | |
| 1961 | Route 66 | Paul | Episode: Black November |
| Hallmark Hall of Fame | Elisha | Episode: Give Us Barabbas! | |
| Play of the Week | Episode: All Summer Long | ||
| The New Breed | Frank | Episode: Prime Target | |
| 1961, 1962, 1963 | The United States Steel Hour | Donald 'Don' McCabe |
Episode: The Big Splash Episode: The Golden Thirty Episode: Far from the Shade Tree Episode: The Young Avengers |
| Alcoa Premiere | Maples Linc Ketterman Tommy Miller Eric Green |
Episode: People Need People Episode: The Tiger Episode:Ordeal in Darkness Episode: The Broken Year | |
| 1961, 1963 | Naked City | Joey Ross Les Gerard |
Episode: Murder Is a Face I Know Episode: The Apple Falls Not Far from the Tree |
| 1962 | Checkmate | Eddie Phillips | Episode: A Very Rough Sketch |
| Cain's Hundred | Alec Benden | Episode: A Creature Lurks in Ambush | |
| Kraft Mystery Theater | Episode: Cry Ruin | ||
| The DuPont Show of the Week | Lieutenant | Episode: The Outpost | |
| The Eleventh Hour | Jerry Bullock | Episode: Cry a Little for Mary Too | |
| 1963 | Empire | Skip Wade | Episode: Stopover on the Way to the Moon |
| Bonanza | Bob Jolley | Episode: Elegy for a Hangman | |
| Going My Way | Dennis Brady | Episode: One Small Unhappy Family | |
| 1964 | Channing | Episode: The Trouble with Girls | |
| The Wednesday Play | Episode: Pale Horse, Pale Rider | ||
| 1965 | Twelve O'Clock High | Lt. Muller | Episode: To Heine - With Love |
| 1970 | Black Water Gold | Christofer Perdeger | ABC TV-Movie |
| 1971 | Montserrat | Montserrat | PBS TV-Movie |
| 1972 | McMillan & Wife | Buzz Simms | Episode: Blues for Sally M |
| 1973–1974 | The Starlost | Devon | |
| 1975 | Switch | Anthony Kirk | Episode: The James Caan Con |
| 1976 | Law and Order | Johnny Morrison | NBC TV-Movie |
| 1978 | Because He's My Friend | Eric | ABC TV-Movie |
| 1979 | The Legend of the Golden Gun | General Custer | NBC TV-Movie |
| 1980 | Brave New World | Thomas Grambell | NBC TV-Movie |
| The Hostage Tower | Mr. Smith | CBS TV-Movie | |
| 1981 | No Place to Hide | Cliff Letterman | CBS TV-Movie |
| 1983 | Loving Friends and Perfect Couples | ||
| 1986 | Guiding Light | Dr. Mark Jarrett | |
| 1989 | Murder, She Wrote | Jason Reynard | Episode: Test of Wills |
| 2000 | The Audrey Hepburn Story | Joseph Hepburn | ABC TV-Movie |
| Songs in Ordinary Time | Sam Fermoyle | CBS TV-Movie | |
| 2001 | Witchblade | Dr. Immo | Episode: Convergence |
| 2001, 2006 | Law & Order | Paul Lyman Andrew Keener |
Episode: Hubris Episode: Cost of Capital |
| 2002 | Ed | Robert Stanley | Episode: Nice Guys Finish Last |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Judge Walt Thornburg | Episode: Justice | |
| 2009 | Castle | Jonathan Tisdale | Episode: Flowers for Your Grave |
| 2011 | Damages | Julius | Episode: I'm Worried About My Dog |
| 2016 | The Path | Dr. Stephen Meyer |
Awards and nominations
- 1964: Nominated, "Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles" - David and Lisa
- 1964: Won, "Most Promising Male Newcomer"
Laurel Awards
- 1963: Nominated, "Top New Male Personality"
San Francisco International Film Festival
- 1962: Won, "Best Actor" - David and Lisa
See also
References
- ^ "Keir Dullea". The New York Times.
- ^ "Screen: Murky Whodunit; 'Black Christmas' Is at Local Theaters". The New York Times. October 20, 1975. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- ^ "Keir Dullea Biography (1936-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
- ^ a b c Nash, Margo (April 8, 2007). "After 50 Years in Acting, Fully Relaxed in His Craft". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
- ^ "Hoodlum Priest". The New York Times.
- ^ Adler, Renata (April 4, 1968). "2001 A Space Odyssey (1968) The Screen: '2001' Is Up, Up and Away:Kubrick's Odyssey in Space Begins Run". The New York Times.
- ^ "No more low profile for Keir Dullea". The Globe and Mail, August 13, 1983.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (December 7, 1984). "2010 (1984) '2010,' PURSUES THE MYSTERY OF '2001'". The New York Times.
- ^ "The 57th Academy Awards (1985) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
- ^ Rich, Frank (September 25, 1982). "Theater: Hotchner's 'Sweet Prince'". The New York Times.
Further reading
- Paul, Louis (2008). "Keir Dullea". Tales From the Cult Film Trenches; Interviews with 36 Actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. pp. 68–74. ISBN 978-0-7864-2994-3.
External links
- Keir Dullea at IMDb
- Keir Dullea at the Internet Broadway Database
- Please use a more specific IOBDB template. See the template documentation for available templates.
- Keir Dullea at the University of Wisconsin's Actors Studio audio collection
