David Janssen was born David Harold Meyer in 1931 in Naponee, Nebraska, to Berniece Mae . Janssen continued appearing in lead roles in nearly 20 made-for-TV-movies during the 1970s as well as other TV projects. He died in 1980 from a sudden heart attack at his Malibu home at the age of 48. Unfounded speculation holds that Janssen succumbed to alcoholism, a problem that plagued him most of his adult life. There were even unfounded rumors about drug use. However, a much more reasonable explanation for David Janssen's sudden demise is that this intense, dedicated, determined actor simply worked himself to death.
Born at 10:00am-CST.
His mother and both of his sisters appeared as extras in "The Fugitive" .
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, only about a block away from the Chinese Theater. When it was placed there, it was in front of Davids favorite ice cream shops as a child. The star dedication was on his mothers birthday in 1989.
Twisted his right knee in 1948 while pole vaulting for reporters from the Hollywood Citizen News.
Older half-brother of Teri Janssen and Jill Janssen.
His last role was in the film Inchon . Even though he died before the movie was completed, his part was not deleted (this was a widespread rumor).
Mother, Berniece Janssen.
As a contract player at Universal-International in the 1950s, he attended Universals acting classes with a fellow Universal contractee, Clint Eastwood. The two became acquaintances, and Eastwood very briefly dated Janssens widow, Dani Crayne.
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Dr. Richard Kimble on "The Fugitive" .
Was close friends with Stuart Whitman.
A close friend of Richard Harris , who was so upset by Janssens death that he sat outside a cathedral in New York for hours in the snow upon hearing the news.
Made 21 TV movies, which includes two mini-series.
Worked frequently for Dick Powell on TV.
Called his highly successful TV series "The Fuge.".
He was a top track star at school.
Deborah Raffin on David Janssen: I was frightened by his rough, tough image. Hes totally different, sensitive, considerate, a true gentleman. (The Indianapolis Star, July 26, 1975, p. 14).
Angie Dickinson on David Janssen: He was a great gentleman, a great date, and a great love. [Vanity Fair, December 31, 2007].
He did a lot of his own flying in Birds of Prey (Flying Magazine, June 1988, p.30).
Pallbearers at his funeral on February 17, 1980 included Rod Stewart , Gregory Peck , Gene Kelly , Richard Harris , Milton Berle , Linda Evans s husband Stan Herman , and Suzanne Pleshette s husband Tom Gallagher.
Excelled at basketball in high school.
Frank Liberman , a veteran Hollywood publicist who had many famous clients, represented David Janssen for 16 years and has cited Janssen as one of his favorite clients: "He was wonderful. He was one of the brightest men Ive ever known. Very articulate".
Contributed a turkey pot pie recipe to Diana Millays cookbook "Id Rather Eat Than Act." Diana Millay was his co-star in "Target: The Corruptors" {The Middle Man (#1.19)} .
David was the son of Berniece Mae (Graf) and Harold Edward Meyer. He took on the surname of his stepfather, Eugene Janssen. His paternal grandparents were William Meyer and Myra Angela Wert. His maternal grandparents were Werner Daniel Graf and Verna Eliza Waggoner. His ancestry was German, and some Swiss-German and Scottish-Irish.
He was against the Vietnam War, although his involvement in The Green Berets caused many to think he supported US involvement in the conflict.
Was a voracious reader. Hed buy two copies of whatever book he wanted to read, one for his home in L.A. and one for his home in Palm Springs.
18-year old David held a 3-year-old Cher , when her mother, Georgia Holt , couldnt get a babysitter while filming a watch commercial.
Advised Farrah Fawcett to turn down "Charlies Angels" .
Linda Evans , his costar in "Harry O" {Guardian at the Gates } , and Jean Seberg , his costar in Macho Callahan , both have said that David Janssen was their moms favorite actor.
Linda Evans on David Janssen: I never met anyone who didnt adore David. To this day I still miss that guy; he was one of a kind. (from Evans 2011 memoir "Recipes for Life").
Was also a songwriter.
On ice skates, David Janssen hosted "Highlights of the Ice Capades" (NBC-TV, Nov. 4, 1970).
Patrick Macnee on David Janssen: The best television actor by far of anybody was David Janssen.
Quinn Martin s eulogy for David Janssen on February 17, 1980: He was a true professional, a superstar.
Younger half-brothers: Larry and Lee Meyer (twins born in 1942).
Close friend of Jerry Orbach , whom he met doing a stage play in Dayton, Ohio, during the summer of 1959. Janssen had the lead in Mister Roberts and Orbach appeared as the character Mannion.
He smoked four packs of cigarettes a day.
Died of a sudden heart attack at his house in bed during the early morning hours before dawn. His wife Dani had called the police and fire department shortly before 5:00 am which arrived at his Malibu home within minutes. He was taken to the nearby hospital where he was declared dead on arrival shortly thereafter. His autopsy found physical signs of (and damage from) heavy smoking in his mouth and lungs. His liver was fatty with severe alcoholism signs, but he did not have cirrhosis. The cause of death was that Janssen had major blockage in three heart arteries, probably brought on by years of excessive cigarette smoking.
He was half-Jewish and half-Irish by descent.
Was in a relationship with Sandra Giles in 1956.
During the production of the Fugitive series, David Janssen worked twelve to fourteen hours a day, and missing dinners and social events.
David Janssen played tennis, golf and was ambidextrous.
He was a liberal Democrat.
TV is my sleeping pill.
[on his divorce from his first wife Ellie]: After 11 years of marriage I,dived into what I considered a newfound freedom. I was working hard and,playing hard. Flying my own plane to parties all over the country and,down to Mexico, having what I thought was a great time. I participated,in life on what might be considered the grand scale, before I decided I,had one hangover too many, one party too many, one charted plane and 14,servants too many. Too many cars that I never got around to drive.
