Don Ameche
Biography
Don Ameche was a versatile American film actor, active in the 1930s and 1940s, often playing the dapper leading man. He was also a popular radio master of ceremonies during this time. As his film popularity waned in the 1950s, he continued working in theater and some television. Ameche's film career experienced a resurgence in the 1980s with notable performances. He was born Dominic Felix Amici on May 31, 1908, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA. Ameche stood at 5 feet 11 inches tall and was known for his work in various films and television shows. He passed away on December 6, 1993, at the age of 85.
Career overview
Don Ameche was a versatile American film actor who began his career in the 1930s. He was often cast as a dapper, mustached leading man during this time. Ameche also worked as a radio master of ceremonies during his early career. As his film popularity waned in the 1950s, he continued working in theater and some television.
Ameche's film career experienced a resurgence in the 1980s with notable performances in several films. He appeared in Trading Places in 1983 and Cocoon in 1985. These roles showcased his ability to play aging characters.
Don Ameche's acting career spanned multiple decades and included work in film, theater, and television. He was known for his versatility and ability to adapt to different roles. Ameche's career highlights include his performances in several notable films of the 1980s.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
95 titles- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing (2009) as (archive footage)
- The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults (1997) as Self (archiveFootage)
- Corrina, Corrina (1994) as Grandpa Harry
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) as Shadow (voice)
- Folks! (1992) as Harry Aldrich
- Sunstroke (1992) as Jake
- Oscar (1991) as Father Clemente
- Our Shining Moment (1991) as John 'Papa' McGuire Sr.
- Oddball Hall (1990) as G. Paul Siebriese
- Coming to America (1988) as Mortimer Duke / Homeless Man #2 (uncredited)
- Cocoon: The Return (1988) as Art Selwyn
- Things Change (1988) as Gino
- Harry and the Hendersons (1987) as Dr. Wallace Wrightwood
- Pals (1987) as Art Riddle
- A Masterpiece of Murder (1986) as Frank Aherne
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Brother Martin
- Cocoon (1985) as Arthur Selwyn
- Trading Places (1983) as Mortimer Duke
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- The Chinese Typewriter (1979) as Armand Beller
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- The Love Boat (1977) as Stewart Coolidge
- The Love Boat (1977) as Henry Dobson
- The Love Boat (1977) as Hollis Witkin
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as Harry Whitehead
- Good Heavens (1976)
- Ellery Queen (1975) as Dr. Norman Marsh
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- Gidget Gets Married (1972) as Otis Ramsey
- Columbo (1971) as Frank Simpson
- Alias Smith and Jones (1971)
- McCloud (1970)
- The Boatniks (1970) as Commander Taylor
- Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came? (1970) as Col. Flanders
- Julia (1968) Director
- Shadow Over Elveron (1968) as Justin Travers
- Rings Around the World (1967) as Host/Ringmaster
- Picture Mommy Dead (1966) as Edward Shelley
- Petticoat Junction (1963) as Uncle George
- Burke's Law (1963) as Whitman Saunders
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1963) as Collie McCullough
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- A Fever in the Blood (1961) as Senator Alex S. Simon
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- DuPont Show of the Month (1957) as Harry Graves
- The Lux Show (1957) as Self
- Climax! (1954) as Sam Waterman
- Coke Time with Eddie Fisher (1953)
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- Slightly French (1949) as John Gayle
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Sleep, My Love (1948) as Richard W. Courtland
- That's My Man (1947) as Joe Grange
- So Goes My Love (1946) as Hiram Stephen Maxim
- Guest Wife (1945) as Joseph Jefferson 'Joe' Parker
- It's in the Bag! (1945) as Don Ameche
- Greenwich Village (1944) as Kenneth Harvey
- Wing and a Prayer (1944) as Bingo Harper
- Heaven Can Wait (1943) as Henry Van Cleve
- Happy Land (1943) as Lew Marsh
- Something to Shout About (1943) as Ken Douglas
- Girl Trouble (1942) as Pedro Sullivan
- The Magnificent Dope (1942) as Dwight Dawson
- Kiss the Boys Goodbye (1941) as Lloyd Lloyd
- Confirm or Deny (1941) as 'Mitch' Mitchell
- Moon Over Miami (1941) as Phil O'Neil (Credits) / Phil 'Mac' McNeil
- The Feminine Touch (1941) as John Hathaway
- That Night in Rio (1941) as Larry Martin / Baron Manuel Duarte
- Lillian Russell (1940) as Edward Solomon
- Down Argentine Way (1940) as Ricardo Quintana
- Four Sons (1940) as Chris Bern
- Land of Liberty (1939) as Alexander Graham Bell (archive footage)
- The Three Musketeers (1939) as D'Artagnan
- The Story of Alexander Graham Bell (1939) as Alexander Graham Bell
- Midnight (1939) as Tibor Czerny
- Swanee River (1939) as Stephen Foster
- Hollywood Cavalcade (1939) as Mike Connors
- Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8 (1939) as Don Ameche
- Happy Landing (1938) as Jimmy Hall
- In Old Chicago (1938) as Jack O'Leary
- Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) as Charlie Dwyer
- Josette (1938) as David Brassard Jr.
- Gateway (1938) as Dick Court
- You Can't Have Everything (1937) as George Macrae
- Love Is News (1937) as Martin J. Canavan
- Love Under Fire (1937) as Tracy Egan
- One in a Million (1937) as Bob Harris
- Fifty Roads to Town (1937) as Peter Nostrand
- Ladies in Love (1936) as Dr. Rudi Imre
- Ramona (1936) as Alessandro
- Sins of Man (1936) as Karl Freyman / Mario Signarelli
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Don Ameche best known for?
Don Ameche is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Corrina, Corrina (1994), Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), Nonstop (2000), Oscar (1991).
When and where was Don Ameche born?
Don Ameche was born on May 31, 1908 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA. They passed away on December 6, 1993.
How many credits does Don Ameche have?
Don Ameche has accumulated over 95 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1936 to 2009.
What is Don Ameche's background in cinema and television?
Don Ameche was a versatile American film actor, active in the 1930s and 1940s, often playing the dapper leading man. He was also a popular radio master of ceremonies during this time. As his film popularity waned in the 1950s, he continued working in theater and some television. Ameche's film career experienced a resur...
Don Ameche by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Columbo (1971) as Frank Simpson — aged about 63
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Brother Martin — aged about 77
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as Harry Whitehead — aged about 68
- Ellery Queen (1975) as Dr. Norman Marsh — aged about 67
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self — aged about 54
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self — aged about 49
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