Actor. He is remembered for his supporting roles in a number of 1950s western and mystery films and television series. Tall and lean, with a gaunt face, dark hair, a rangy build and a very distinctive deep croaky voice, he was usually cast in both movies and television shows as gloomy and/or sinister characters. His career spanned five decades and he appeared in about 100 films and television series.
Born Royal Edward Dano in New York City, his father worked as a printer and his mother immigrated from Ireland. At age 12, he ran away from home and lived in Texas, Florida, and California.
His performing career began in the U.S. Army as part of the 44th Special Service Provisional Company during World War II (WWII).
After the war, he soon branched out to the New York stage and made his Broadway debut with a small role in the hit musical "Finian's Rainbow." He was nominated by the New York Critics Circle as one of the Promising Actors of 1949. One of his first film appearances was in "The Red Badge of Courage (1951) in which he played 'The Tattered Man' and delivered such a disturbing performance in his death scene, the initial test audience left the theater in droves according to the director John Huston, and the scene was cut from the final production.
From 1952 to 1953, he played the role of Abraham Lincoln in a five-part episode of the educational television show "Omnibus." In 1960, he guest starred on David McLean's NBC summer western television series "Tate." In 1962, he guest starred on the CBS anthology series, "The Lloyd Bridges Show." He also appeared on the NBC television western series "The Virginian" in five separate appearances from 1962-1966 in a variety of character roles, as well as the ABC television western series "The Rifleman."
He was also a frequent guest star on the CBS western television series "Gunsmoke," with a total of thirteen appearances. He was the voice of Abraham Lincoln for Walt Disney's "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" program, first presented at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, New York. Disney personally selected him for the role, because he felt the actor came closest to the historical descriptions of Lincoln's voice. In 1965, the "Great Moments" program was moved to Disneyland and his vocals continued to be a part of the program until 2001.
In 2009, his voice returned to the "Great Moments" program in a revised version of the show. In 1971, his voice was also used for a revised Lincoln speech in the new "Hall Of Presidents" program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which ran until 1993.
His other notable film roles include "The Trouble with Harry" (1955), "Moby Dick" (1956), "These Thousand Hills" (1959), "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1960), "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" (1964), "Day of the Evil Gun" (1968), "The Undefeated" (1969), "Death of a Gunfighter" (1969), "The Culpepper Cattle Co." (1972), "Electra Glide in Blue" (1973), "Capone" (1975), "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), "Take This Job and Shove It" (1981), "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (1983), "Teachers" (1984), "Red Headed Stranger" (1986), "Ghoulies II" (1987), "Killer Clowns from Outer Space" (1988), and "Spaced Invaders" (1990). His final appearances were in the ABC television drama series "Twin Peaks" (1990) and the film "The Dark Half' (1993).
He died of a heart attack at the age of 71 following an automobile accident. He is the father of actor Richard Dano and grandfather of actor Hutch Dano.
Born Royal Edward Dano in New York City, his father worked as a printer and his mother immigrated from Ireland. At age 12, he ran away from home and lived in Texas, Florida, and California.
His performing career began in the U.S. Army as part of the 44th Special Service Provisional Company during World War II (WWII).
After the war, he soon branched out to the New York stage and made his Broadway debut with a small role in the hit musical "Finian's Rainbow." He was nominated by the New York Critics Circle as one of the Promising Actors of 1949. One of his first film appearances was in "The Red Badge of Courage (1951) in which he played 'The Tattered Man' and delivered such a disturbing performance in his death scene, the initial test audience left the theater in droves according to the director John Huston, and the scene was cut from the final production.
From 1952 to 1953, he played the role of Abraham Lincoln in a five-part episode of the educational television show "Omnibus." In 1960, he guest starred on David McLean's NBC summer western television series "Tate." In 1962, he guest starred on the CBS anthology series, "The Lloyd Bridges Show." He also appeared on the NBC television western series "The Virginian" in five separate appearances from 1962-1966 in a variety of character roles, as well as the ABC television western series "The Rifleman."
He was also a frequent guest star on the CBS western television series "Gunsmoke," with a total of thirteen appearances. He was the voice of Abraham Lincoln for Walt Disney's "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" program, first presented at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, New York. Disney personally selected him for the role, because he felt the actor came closest to the historical descriptions of Lincoln's voice. In 1965, the "Great Moments" program was moved to Disneyland and his vocals continued to be a part of the program until 2001.
In 2009, his voice returned to the "Great Moments" program in a revised version of the show. In 1971, his voice was also used for a revised Lincoln speech in the new "Hall Of Presidents" program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which ran until 1993.
His other notable film roles include "The Trouble with Harry" (1955), "Moby Dick" (1956), "These Thousand Hills" (1959), "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1960), "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" (1964), "Day of the Evil Gun" (1968), "The Undefeated" (1969), "Death of a Gunfighter" (1969), "The Culpepper Cattle Co." (1972), "Electra Glide in Blue" (1973), "Capone" (1975), "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), "Take This Job and Shove It" (1981), "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (1983), "Teachers" (1984), "Red Headed Stranger" (1986), "Ghoulies II" (1987), "Killer Clowns from Outer Space" (1988), and "Spaced Invaders" (1990). His final appearances were in the ABC television drama series "Twin Peaks" (1990) and the film "The Dark Half' (1993).
He died of a heart attack at the age of 71 following an automobile accident. He is the father of actor Richard Dano and grandfather of actor Hutch Dano.
Actor. He is remembered for his supporting roles in a number of 1950s western and mystery films and television series. Tall and lean, with a gaunt face, dark hair, a rangy build and a very distinctive deep croaky voice, he was usually cast in both movies and television shows as gloomy and/or sinister characters. His career spanned five decades and he appeared in about 100 films and television series.
Born Royal Edward Dano in New York City, his father worked as a printer and his mother immigrated from Ireland. At age 12, he ran away from home and lived in Texas, Florida, and California.
His performing career began in the U.S. Army as part of the 44th Special Service Provisional Company during World War II (WWII).
After the war, he soon branched out to the New York stage and made his Broadway debut with a small role in the hit musical "Finian's Rainbow." He was nominated by the New York Critics Circle as one of the Promising Actors of 1949. One of his first film appearances was in "The Red Badge of Courage (1951) in which he played 'The Tattered Man' and delivered such a disturbing performance in his death scene, the initial test audience left the theater in droves according to the director John Huston, and the scene was cut from the final production.
From 1952 to 1953, he played the role of Abraham Lincoln in a five-part episode of the educational television show "Omnibus." In 1960, he guest starred on David McLean's NBC summer western television series "Tate." In 1962, he guest starred on the CBS anthology series, "The Lloyd Bridges Show." He also appeared on the NBC television western series "The Virginian" in five separate appearances from 1962-1966 in a variety of character roles, as well as the ABC television western series "The Rifleman."
He was also a frequent guest star on the CBS western television series "Gunsmoke," with a total of thirteen appearances. He was the voice of Abraham Lincoln for Walt Disney's "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" program, first presented at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, New York. Disney personally selected him for the role, because he felt the actor came closest to the historical descriptions of Lincoln's voice. In 1965, the "Great Moments" program was moved to Disneyland and his vocals continued to be a part of the program until 2001.
In 2009, his voice returned to the "Great Moments" program in a revised version of the show. In 1971, his voice was also used for a revised Lincoln speech in the new "Hall Of Presidents" program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which ran until 1993.
His other notable film roles include "The Trouble with Harry" (1955), "Moby Dick" (1956), "These Thousand Hills" (1959), "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1960), "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" (1964), "Day of the Evil Gun" (1968), "The Undefeated" (1969), "Death of a Gunfighter" (1969), "The Culpepper Cattle Co." (1972), "Electra Glide in Blue" (1973), "Capone" (1975), "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), "Take This Job and Shove It" (1981), "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (1983), "Teachers" (1984), "Red Headed Stranger" (1986), "Ghoulies II" (1987), "Killer Clowns from Outer Space" (1988), and "Spaced Invaders" (1990). His final appearances were in the ABC television drama series "Twin Peaks" (1990) and the film "The Dark Half' (1993).
He died of a heart attack at the age of 71 following an automobile accident. He is the father of actor Richard Dano and grandfather of actor Hutch Dano.
Born Royal Edward Dano in New York City, his father worked as a printer and his mother immigrated from Ireland. At age 12, he ran away from home and lived in Texas, Florida, and California.
His performing career began in the U.S. Army as part of the 44th Special Service Provisional Company during World War II (WWII).
After the war, he soon branched out to the New York stage and made his Broadway debut with a small role in the hit musical "Finian's Rainbow." He was nominated by the New York Critics Circle as one of the Promising Actors of 1949. One of his first film appearances was in "The Red Badge of Courage (1951) in which he played 'The Tattered Man' and delivered such a disturbing performance in his death scene, the initial test audience left the theater in droves according to the director John Huston, and the scene was cut from the final production.
From 1952 to 1953, he played the role of Abraham Lincoln in a five-part episode of the educational television show "Omnibus." In 1960, he guest starred on David McLean's NBC summer western television series "Tate." In 1962, he guest starred on the CBS anthology series, "The Lloyd Bridges Show." He also appeared on the NBC television western series "The Virginian" in five separate appearances from 1962-1966 in a variety of character roles, as well as the ABC television western series "The Rifleman."
He was also a frequent guest star on the CBS western television series "Gunsmoke," with a total of thirteen appearances. He was the voice of Abraham Lincoln for Walt Disney's "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" program, first presented at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, New York. Disney personally selected him for the role, because he felt the actor came closest to the historical descriptions of Lincoln's voice. In 1965, the "Great Moments" program was moved to Disneyland and his vocals continued to be a part of the program until 2001.
In 2009, his voice returned to the "Great Moments" program in a revised version of the show. In 1971, his voice was also used for a revised Lincoln speech in the new "Hall Of Presidents" program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which ran until 1993.
His other notable film roles include "The Trouble with Harry" (1955), "Moby Dick" (1956), "These Thousand Hills" (1959), "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1960), "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" (1964), "Day of the Evil Gun" (1968), "The Undefeated" (1969), "Death of a Gunfighter" (1969), "The Culpepper Cattle Co." (1972), "Electra Glide in Blue" (1973), "Capone" (1975), "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), "Take This Job and Shove It" (1981), "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (1983), "Teachers" (1984), "Red Headed Stranger" (1986), "Ghoulies II" (1987), "Killer Clowns from Outer Space" (1988), and "Spaced Invaders" (1990). His final appearances were in the ABC television drama series "Twin Peaks" (1990) and the film "The Dark Half' (1993).
He died of a heart attack at the age of 71 following an automobile accident. He is the father of actor Richard Dano and grandfather of actor Hutch Dano.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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