David Janssen
Biography
David Janssen was an American actor born on March 27, 1931, in Naponee, Nebraska. He was of German, Swiss-German, and Ulster-Scots descent. Janssen's family settled in Hollywood when he was a teenager and he attended Fairfax High School. His film debut was a bit part in It's a Pleasure, and at the age of 18, he signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox. Janssen took the surname of his stepfather, Eugene Janssen. He is known for his work in television and is credited with appearing in numerous films and TV shows. Janssen died on February 13, 1980, at the age of 48.
Career overview
David Janssen began his acting career with a bit part in the film It's a Pleasure in 1945. At the age of 18, he signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox. However, the studio dropped him allegedly due to his appearance. Janssen's early film debut was a starting point for his acting career, which spanned multiple decades.
Janssen's known credits include 94 titles, although specific details about his filmography are not provided in the sources. He is also known for his work in television, although the specific shows he appeared in are not mentioned. Janssen's career in acting was marked by his versatility and range, as he appeared in a variety of film and television projects.
Janssen's personal life and career are not extensively documented in the provided sources. However, it is known that he passed away on February 13, 1980, at the age of 48, due to a heart attack.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about David Janssen.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
99 titles- Tim Conway: Timeless Comedy (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Inchon (1981) as David Feld
- S.O.S. Titanic (1980) as John Jacob Astor
- City in Fear (1980) as Vince Perrino
- High Ice (1980) as Glencoe MacDonald
- The Golden Gate Murders (1979) as Det. Sgt. Paul Silver
- Centennial (1978) as Narrator
- The Word (1978) as Steve Randall
- Covert Action (1978) as Lester Horton
- Nowhere to Run (1978) as Harry Adams
- Superdome (1978) as Mike Shelley
- Mayday at 40,000 Feet (1977) as Capt. Pete Douglass
- Golden Rendezvous (1977) as Charles Conway
- A Sensitive, Passionate Man (1977) as Michael Delaney
- Warhead (1977) as Tony Stevens
- Two-Minute Warning (1976) as Steve
- The Swiss Conspiracy (1976) as David Christopher
- Joys (1976) as Self
- Stalk the Wild Child (1976) as Dr. James Hazard
- Once Is Not Enough (1975) as Tom Colt
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Harry O (1974) as Harry Orwell
- Fer-de-Lance (1974) as Russ Bogan
- Smile Jenny, You're Dead (1974) as Harry Orwell
- Police Story (1973)
- Birds of Prey (1973) as Harry Walker
- Pioneer Woman (1973) as Robert Douglas
- Hijack! (1973) as Jake Wilkenson
- Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On (1973) as Harry Orwell
- Moon of the Wolf (1972) as Sheriff Aaron Whitaker
- The Longest Night (1972) as Alan Chambers
- Cannon (1971)
- O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971)
- Macho Callahan (1971) as Diego Callahan
- O'Hara, United States Treasury: Operation Cobra (1971) as James O'Hara
- Night Chase (1970) as Adrian Vico
- Marooned (1969) as Ted Dougherty
- Where It's At (1969) as A.C. Smith
- Generation (1969) as Jim Bolton
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self (uncredited)
- The Green Berets (1968) as George Beckworth
- The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) as George Faber
- Warning Shot (1967) as Sgt. Tom Valens
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self
- The Fugitive (1963) as Richard Kimble
- My Six Loves (1963) as Marty Bliss
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Eleventh Hour (1962) as Hal Kincaid
- Belle Sommers (1962) as Danny Castle
- The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Dick Powell Show (1961) as Kenneth 'Ken' Morgan
- Cain's Hundred (1961) as Dan Mullin
- Target: The Corruptors! (1961)
- Twenty Plus Two (1961) as Tom Alder
- Man-Trap (1961) as Vince Biskay
- Ring of Fire (1961) as Sergeant Steve Walsh
- King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein (1961) as Arnold Rothstein
- Dondi (1961) as Dealey
- Route 66 (1960) as Karno Starling
- Checkmate (1960) as Len Kobalsky
- Hell to Eternity (1960) as Sgt, Bill Hazen
- Adventures in Paradise (1959) as Scotty Bell
- Naked City (1958) as Blair Cameron
- Naked City (1958) as Carl Ashland
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958) as Ross Ingraham
- Lafayette Escadrille (1958) as Duke Sinclair
- Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957) as Richard Diamond / Chuck Garrett
- Alcoa Theatre (1957) as Mike Harper
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Seth Larker
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Dix Porter
- Away All Boats (1956) as uncredited
- Whack-O! (1956) as Boy in hobby class
- Never Say Goodbye (1956) as Dave Heller
- U.S. Marshall (1956) as Arnie Hix
- Showdown at Abilene (1956) as Verne Ward
- Francis in the Haunted House (1956) as Police Lieutenant Hopkins
- The Girl He Left Behind (1956) as Capt. Genaro
- Toy Tiger (1956) as Larry Tripps
- Matinee Theater (1955)
- The Millionaire (1955) as Peter Miller
- The Millionaire (1955) as David Barrett
- All That Heaven Allows (1955) as Freddie Norton (uncredited)
- Chief Crazy Horse (1955) as Lt. Colin Cartwright
- The Private War of Major Benson (1955) as Young Lieutenant
- Francis in the Navy (1955) as Lieutenant Anders
- Cult of the Cobra (1955) as Rico Nardi
- To Hell and Back (1955) as Lt Lee
- The Square Jungle (1955) as Jack Lindsay
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Pat Howard
- Yankee Buccaneer (1952) as Beckett
- No Room for the Groom (1952) as Soldier (scenes deleted)
- Francis Goes to West Point (1952) as Corporal Thomas
- Boston Blackie (1951) as Armored Car Driver (uncredited)
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Ralph / Joe Davies
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Johnny Reynolds, Jr.
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is David Janssen best known for?
David Janssen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Inchon (1981), S.O.S. Titanic (1980), Centennial (1978), The Word (1978).
When and where was David Janssen born?
David Janssen was born on March 27, 1931 in Naponee, Nebraska, USA. They passed away on February 13, 1980.
How many credits does David Janssen have?
David Janssen has accumulated over 99 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2007.
What is David Janssen's background in cinema and television?
David Janssen was an American actor born on March 27, 1931, in Naponee, Nebraska. He was of German, Swiss-German, and Ulster-Scots descent. Janssen's family settled in Hollywood when he was a teenager and he attended Fairfax High School. His film debut was a bit part in It's a Pleasure, and at the age of 18, he signed ...