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David Wayne

American actor (1914–1995) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

David Wayne
This article is about the actor. For the heavy metal vocalist, see David Wayne (singer).
Not to be confused with David Wain.

David Wayne (born Wayne James McMeekan; January 30, 1914[1] – February 9, 1995) was an American stage and screen actor with a career spanning over 50 years.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...
David Wayne
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Wayne in 1955
Born
Wayne James McMeekan

(1914-01-30)January 30, 1914
Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
DiedFebruary 9, 1995(1995-02-09) (aged 81)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Alma materWestern Michigan University
OccupationActor
Years active1936–1994
Spouse
Jane Gordon
​
​
(m. 1941; died 1993)​
Children3
AwardsTheatre World Award (1947)
Tony Award (1947, 1954)
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Early life and career

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Wayne was born in Traverse City, Michigan, the son of Helen Matilda (née Mason) and John David McMeekan. His mother died when he was four.[1] He grew up in Bloomingdale, Michigan.[citation needed]

Wayne attended Western Michigan University for two years before working as a statistician in Cleveland. He began acting with Cleveland's Shakesperean repertory theatre in 1936.[2]

When World War II began, Wayne volunteered as an ambulance driver with the British Army in North Africa. When the United States entered the war he joined the United States Army.[2]

Wayne's first major Broadway role was Og the leprechaun in Finian's Rainbow, for which he won the Theatre World Award[3] and the first ever Tony for Actor, Supporting or Featured (Musical).[4] While appearing in the play, he and co-star Albert Sharpe were recruited by producer David O. Selznick to play Irish characters in the film Portrait of Jennie (1948).

In 1948, Wayne was one of 50 applicants (out of approximately 700) granted membership in New York's newly formed Actors Studio.[5]

He was awarded a second Tony for Best Actor (Dramatic) for The Teahouse of the August Moon and was nominated as Best Actor (Musical) for The Happy Time.[4] He originated the role of Ensign Pulver in the classic stage comedy Mister Roberts and also appeared in Say, Darling; After the Fall; and Incident at Vichy.

Film and television career

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In films, Wayne was most often cast as a supporting player, such as the charming cad and neighbor of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn's characters in Adam's Rib (1949). He portrayed the child killer, originally played by Peter Lorre, in the remake of M (1951), in a rare title and villainous role. Wayne appeared in four films with Marilyn Monroe, more than any other actor: As Young as You Feel (1951), We're Not Married (1952), O. Henry's Full House (1952) (although he shared no scenes with Monroe), and How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) where he had scenes with Monroe. He starred in The Tender Trap (1955) with Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds, and Celeste Holm.

In 1955, Wayne starred in the NBC comedy Norby.[6]: 771  Wayne appeared in the late 1950s on ABC's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom and the Twilight Zone episode "Escape Clause". He starred as Darius Woodley in two 1961 episodes of NBC's The Outlaws starring Barton MacLane. Also in 1961, Wayne appeared in the Bell Telephone Company-produced driver safety film Anatomy of an Accident, about a family outing tragically cut short by a car accident.

He played the Mad Hatter, one of the recurring villains in the 1960s television series Batman. In 1964, he guest-starred in the series finale, "Pay Now, Die Later", of CBS's drama Mr. Broadway. Also in the 1960s, Wayne was a radio host on NBC's magazine program Monitor.[citation needed]

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Wayne and Jean Peters in trailer for As Young as You Feel (1951)

Wayne was known for his role as Dr. Charles Dutton in Michael Crichton's The Andromeda Strain (1971). He also appeared as Uncle Timothy Jamison in the NBC sitcom The Brian Keith Show and played Charles Dutton in The Good Life, also on NBC.[6]: 404–405  Wayne made a guest appearance in a leading role for a 1975 episode of Gunsmoke titled "I Have Promises to Keep". He co-starred with Jim Hutton in the 1976 television series Ellery Queen (as Inspector Richard Queen).[6]: 305 

In 1978, Wayne played James Lawrence in the ABC drama Family[6]: 324 , and he played Digger Barnes in four episodes of the CBS soap opera Dallas.[6] Wayne's friend Keenan Wynn later replaced Wayne in this role. From 1979 to 1982, Wayne starred as Dr. Amos Weatherby in the television series House Calls.[6]: 480 

Personal life

Wayne was married to Jane Gordon in 1941 and had two daughters and a son. In August 1970, their son disappeared and was presumed drowned during a camping and fishing trip.[7][8] Wayne's wife, daughter of opera vocalist Jeanne Gordon, died in 1993.[citation needed]

Wayne was a lifelong Democrat who supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign during the 1952 presidential election.[9]

Death

On February 9, 1995, Wayne died in his Santa Monica, California, home from complications of lung cancer at the age of 81.[1] His remains were cremated and distributed to his family.[citation needed]

Awards

Wayne won two Tony Awards, one in 1947 for Finian's Rainbow and one in 1954 for The Teahouse of the August Moon.[1]

Filmography

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Features:

Short Subjects:

  • Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Awards (1951) as Himself
  • Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Night Life (1952) as Himself
  • Anatomy of an Accident (1961) as John Avery
  • John F. Kennedy: 1917-1963 (1979) as Narrator

Television work

Stage appearances

Radio appearances

More information Year, Program ...
YearProgramEpisode/source
1952Stars in the AirGood Sam[11]
1953Lux Radio TheatreWait 'Till the Sun Shines, Nellie[12]
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Notes

    References

    External links

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