American film and television actor MacDonald Carey became famous for his role as Dr. Tom Horton on NBC's soap opera _"Days of Our Lives" . He also had a successful career on Broadway and on radio. He was on "Days of Our Lives" from its inception in 1965 until his death in 1994.
Besides playing the character of Dr. Tom Horton for close to 30 years on "Days of Our Lives" , he is known for the famous voice-over at the beginning of the show. Even after he left the show and then passed away in 1994, the voice-over stayed as a tribute.
Father of Lynn Carey.
Father of Theresa Baskauskas.
Grandfather of Aras Baskauskas.
His Irish-Catholic father, Charles Carey was an investment counselor. His mother was Elizabeth Macdonald Carey, from whence he got his full name: Edward Macdonald Carey.
Born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, he sang baritone in the school choirs and took leads in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas; he received his Masters in drama at the University of Iowa.
Once was a member of the Globe Players where he did compact versions of Shakespeare in Texas. His actor compatriots there included Martha Scott and David Wayne.
On Broadway in the hit musical "Lady in the Dark" starring Gertrude Lawrence. Paramount bought the rights to the musical and signed Macdonald to a seven-year contract. When they finally got around to making the movie version, Macdonald was serving WWII duty with the Marines. Ray Milland was cast in his role opposite Ginger Rogers.
His very first roles on both Broadway ("Lady in the Dark") and film ( Dr. Broadway ) were leading parts.
Former wife Elizabeth Heckacher was a Philadelphia socialite who desired to be an actress. The couple met while he was doing radio and she was attending drama school in New York. She gave up her aspirations, however, once they married in 1941 and went on to have six children -- three boys and three girls.
One-time Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild.
Received his B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1936.
In addition to daughters Lynn Catherine (born October 29, 1946) and Theresa, his other children were: Stevens A. Carey; Edward Macdonald Jr (born April 22, 1954); Paul; and Lisa (born in 1949).
Grandfather of Survivor contestants Vytas Baskauskas and Aras Baskauskas.
