David Janssen
Mal Bulloch
North side of the 7000 block of Hollywood Boulevard
David Janssen

David Janssen

Born David Harold Meyer on March 27, 1931 in Naponee, NE
Died Feb. 13, 1980 of massive heart attack in Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, CA

Actor David Janssen was almost the perfect TV hero.

That special quality was probably most evident in the series "Harry O," produced in the mid-1970s.

He played private detective Harry Orwell, a bit cynical but brave, hobbled by the physical infirmities of a hard life catching up with him as he worked his way toward 50.

"Harry O" is considered by most TV critics as a small masterpiece of the television form and Janssen an example of the special charisma that very few actors have before the television camera.

He played gentle, tentative heroes, perfect for television in the 1960s and '70s but perhaps not quite right for motion pictures. Although TV brought him fame and fortune, Janssen's film career was far less distinguished.

Consider the titles: "Bonzo Goes to College," "Dondi," "Ring of Fire," "Hell to Eternity," "Macho Callahan," and "Once Is Not Enough," to name a few.

It was television that saved Janssen from a career of B-movie obscurity. First, the actor and producer Dick Powell chose him to portray Richard Diamond, one of the first hard-boiled TV detectives.

In the 1957-60 series "Richard Diamond, Private Detective," Janssen's secretary, Sam, appeared only as a pair of legs and a voice. It was Mary Tyler Moore's first TV series role.

Then came "The Fugitive," in which he played a Midwestern doctor, Richard Kimble, who was wrongly accused of murdering his wife and who was constantly on the run from the police as he tried to find the real killer, a one-armed man.

After "The Fugitive" ran its course, there was what seemed an unending procession of TV movies and miniseries, including 1978's "Centennial."

Some were good, some not-so-good, but Janssen was always in demand, always working.

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    Five thoughts about David Janssen

    David was the love of my life.
    I met David in the commissary at Warner Bros Studio when I worked for
    Frank Wells and John Calley in the administration department. David and I spent many afternoons in the bungalows on the studio lot,when he was making the film co-starring Rosemary Forsyth as well as a trip to iTALY. I was with David when he got his first "cell" (portable) phone --it was like a poloraid camera case==and when he got curb finders . David was the most adorable man I have ever known -- and he told me once I was the sexiest woman he hhad ever known.

    — Janet (Bryan) Barnhart
    June 23, 2010 at 7:17 p.m.

    i met david janssen at del mar race track in the summer of 1972.i was with my grandfather and his friend actor alan baxter.mr baxter had a couple of small roles in the fugitive.it was an honor to meet mr. janssen.38 years ago and it will never be forgotton.big moment for a teen from buffalo,ny

    — alan gaglia
    August 30, 2010 at 8:10 p.m.

    I saw David Janssen leaving a studio in L.A. in 1973. He walked right by me close enough to touch and then proceeded to the parking lot, where he graciously posed for photos with a mother and her child in front of his Rolls Royce. I still remeber that he wore a tan suit and sun glases and looked very much the star he was.

    — Bill Kraft
    March 14, 2011 at 2:07 p.m.

    Mr. Janssen has always been one of my favourite TV idols!. His good looks and stylish walk was a thing to be cherished. In fact, I liked him so much that I have the same hairtstyle as him. Perhaps, the only movie that he did not live up to his caliber as an actor was in "Once Is Not Enough", because he said some profanity and that lowered his dignity. However, after that he regained much admiration and respect in "Centennial". Let us hope that his legacy will someday be completed with the release of "Harry O - Season 1 & 2" on dvd.

    — Waylon J.
    January 30, 2012 at 1:32 a.m.

    I was young when DJ was on Richard Diamond & The Fugitive and didn't go to movies or watch much TV in the 70's so it wasn't until The Fugitive was shown again in the late 80's and early 90's that I "discovered" David Janssen. He is my all-time favorite TV actor and The Fugitive is my all-time favorite TV show, with Harry O coming in 2nd. Not only was he a gorgeous man and a superb actor, but I have read lots of accounts of how kind and generous a man he was. It is absurd that he never won an Emmy, especially the year The Fugitive won for best dramatic series as it was he who carried the show and made it the success that it was. He most definitely deserves his star on the Walk of Fame. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him or watch him in The Fugitive or one of the many shows that I have in my DJ library. I really regret that I never got to meet him or see him in person. Feb 13,1980 was a sad day when the world had to say goodbye to David Janssen. Gone way too soon...

    — Pam B
    May 23, 2012 at 9:11 p.m.

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