John Forsythe
Biography
John Forsythe, born Jacob Lincoln Freund on January 29, 1918, in Penns Grove, New Jersey, was an American stage, television, and film actor. Over his career, he accumulated 114 known acting credits. Forsythe starred in three television series across four decades and three genres, playing single playboy father Bentley Gregg in the 1950s sitcom Bachelor Father from 1957 to 1962, the unseen millionaire Charles Charlie Townsend on the 1970s crime drama Charlie's Angels from 1976 to 1981, and patriarch Blake Carrington on the 1980s soap opera Dynasty from 1981 to 1989. In addition to these starring roles, he hosted World of Survival from 1971 to 1977. John Forsythe passed away on April 1, 2010, at the age of 92.
Career overview
John Forsythe was an American stage, television, and film actor born on January 29, 1918, in Penns Grove, New Jersey. His acting career spanned multiple decades, during which he accumulated 114 known credits and starred in three distinct television series across three different genres and decades.
In the 1950s, he starred as the single playboy father Bentley Gregg in the sitcom Bachelor Father, which ran from 1957 to 1962. During the 1970s, he hosted World of Survival from 1971 to 1977 and provided the voice of the unseen millionaire Charles Charlie Townsend on the crime drama Charlie's Angels from 1976 to 1981. He later starred as the patriarch Blake Carrington on the 1980s soap opera Dynasty, which aired from 1981 to 1989.
Forsythe passed away on April 1, 2010, at the age of 92.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
137 titles- This Is Joan Collins (2022) as Self (Archive Footage)
- Beatles Stories (2011) as Self (archive footage)
- Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) as Charles 'Charlie' Townsend (voice)
- Did you leave us, Blake? (2002) as Self
- 'The Trouble with Harry' Isn't Over (2001) as Self
- Charlie's Angels (2000) as Charlie (voice)
- Angels Forever (2000) as Self (archive)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1999) as Mr. Ryan (voice)
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Shirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels (1996) as Self
- Gargoyles (1994) as Pat Doyle (voice)
- Blue Skies (1994) as Henry Baskin
- Universal Studios Florida: Experience the Magic of Movies (1994) as Self - Host
- Denver Clan ohne Maske (1993) as Self
- The Powers That Be (1992) as William Powers
- Universal Studios Hollywood: A Universe of Cinemagic (1992) as Himself
- Dynasty: The Reunion (1991) as Blake Carrington
- Opposites Attract (1990) as Rex Roper
- Scrooged (1988) as Lew Hayward
- Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) as Self
- On Fire (1987) as Joe Leary, Sr.
- On Fire (1987) Executive Producer
- Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special (1986) as Self
- The Colbys (1985)
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration (1985) as Self
- George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business (1983) as Self - Host
- Wogan (1982) as Self
- Christmas in Washington (1982) as Self
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Mysterious Two (1982) as He
- Dynasty (1981) as Blake Carrington
- Sizzle (1981) as Mike Callahan
- A Time for Miracles (1980) as Postulator
- ...And Justice for All (1979) as Judge Henry T. Fleming
- The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979) as Self
- With This Ring (1978) as Gen. Albert Harris
- Cruise Into Terror (1978) as Rev. Charles Mather
- The Users (1978) as Reade Jamieson
- The Love Boat (1977) as Burt Gardner
- Tail Gunner Joe (1977) as Paul Cunningham
- Goodbye & Amen (1977) as The American Ambassador
- Never Con a Killer (1977) as E.J. Valerian
- Charlie's Angels (1976) as Charles Townsend (voice)
- Charlie's Angels (1976) as Charles Townsend (voice) (uncredited)
- Amelia Earhart (1976) as G.P. Putnam
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Host
- Medical Story (1975) as Amos Winkler
- The Deadly Tower (1975) as Lt. Elwood Forbes
- Terror on the 40th Floor (1974) as Dan Overland
- Cry Panic (1974) as David Ryder
- The Healers (1974) as Dr. Robert Kier
- Police Story (1973)
- The Letters (1973) as Paul Anderson
- Lisa, Bright and Dark (1973) as William Schilling
- Murder Once Removed (1971) as Dr. Ron Wellesley
- Topaz (1969) as Michael Nordstrom
- To Rome with Love (1969) as Michael Endicott
- The Happy Ending (1969) as Fred Wilson
- Shadow on the Land (1968) as Gen. Wendell Bruce
- In Cold Blood (1967) as Alvin Dewey
- A Bell for Adano (1967) as Maj. Victor P. Joppolo
- ABC Stage 67 (1966) as Self
- Madame X (1966) as Clay Anderson
- Run for Your Life (1965) as Spencer Holt
- The John Forsythe Show (1965) as Major John Foster
- Kitten with a Whip (1964) as David Stratton
- See How They Run (1964) as Martin Young
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Charlie King
- Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963) as Jerry Wilson / John Williams
- Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963) as Maj. William 'Bill' Livingston
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Michael Barnes
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Kraft Mystery Theatre (1961)
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self - Host
- Dubrovsky (1959) as Wladia
- What Makes Sammy Run? (1959) as Al Manheim
- Bachelor Father (1957) as Bentley Gregg
- The Lux Show (1957) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as CSA Lt. David Marr
- The Ambassador's Daughter (1956) as Sgt. Danny Sullivan
- Everything But the Truth (1956) as Ernie Miller
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Kim Stanger
- Miss Universe (1955) as Host
- Playwrights '56 (1955)
- The Trouble with Harry (1955) as Sam Marlowe
- Climax! (1954) as Joe Sullivan
- Climax! (1954) as Adam Barclay
- Climax! (1954) as Graham Johnson
- Climax! (1954) as Tommy Jordan
- Climax! (1954) as Frank Colby
- Escape from Fort Bravo (1953) as Captain Marsh
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Bentley Gregg
- General Electric Theater (1953) Producer
- It Happens Every Thursday (1953) as Bob MacAvoy
- The Glass Web (1953) as Don Newell
- 10,000 Horses Singing (1952) as Marv Payne
- The Captive City (1952) as James "Jim" C. Austin
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Millionaire's Son
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Captain Fisby
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as William Schilling
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Hayden Chart
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Peter Bronson
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Dr. John Carter
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Tony Preston
- American Harvest (1951) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Dr. Frederick Steele
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as John Forsythe
- Lights Out (1949)
- Suspense (1949) as David
- Suspense (1949)
- Suspense (1949) as Wiltshire
- The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self
- Arson, Inc. (1949) as Race Track Aannouncer (voice, uncredited)
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
- Studio One (1948)
- Studio One (1948) as Maj. Peter Brook
- Studio One (1948) as Capt. Sam MacKenzie
- Studio One (1948) as Marv Payne
- Studio One (1948) as James Rexham
- Studio One (1948) as Judd
- Studio One (1948) as Pete Maynard
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- The Things People Want (1948) as Don
- Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self
- Destination Tokyo (1943) as Sparks
- Northern Pursuit (1943) as Corporal (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Forsythe best known for?
John Forsythe is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Charlie's Angels (2000), Hollywood Squares (1998), The Soft Skin (1964).
When and where was John Forsythe born?
John Forsythe was born on January 29, 1918 in Penns Grove, New Jersey, USA. They passed away on April 1, 2010.
How many credits does John Forsythe have?
John Forsythe has accumulated over 137 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1943 to 2022.
What is John Forsythe's background in cinema and television?
John Forsythe, born Jacob Lincoln Freund on January 29, 1918, in Penns Grove, New Jersey, was an American stage, television, and film actor. Over his career, he accumulated 114 known acting credits. Forsythe starred in three television series across four decades and three genres, playing single playboy father Bentley G...