Ray Danton (born Raymond Caplan; September 19, 1931 – February 11, 1992) was a radio, film, stage, and television actor, director, and producer whose most famous roles were in the screen biographies '' The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond'' (1960) and ''

The George Raft Story ''The George Raft Story'' is a 1961 American biographical film of Hollywood film star George Raft. Ray Danton portrays Raft and the film was directed by Joseph M. Newman. The picture was retitled ''Spin of a Coin'' for release in the United Kin ...

'' (1962). He was married to actress

Julie Adams Julie Adams (born Betty May Adams; October 17, 1926 – February 3, 2019) was an American actress, billed as Julia Adams toward the beginning of her career, primarily known for her numerous television guest roles. She starred in a number of ...

from 1954 to 1981.

Life and career

Early life

Danton was born Raymond Caplan in New York City, the son of Myrtle (née Menkin) and Jack Caplan. His family was Jewish, and he was a descendant of the Vilna Gaon. Danton entered show business as a child radio actor on NBC radio's ''

Let's Pretend ''Let's Pretend'', created and directed by Nila Mack, was a CBS radio series for children. Prior to being renamed ''Let's Pretend'', the program had a variety of titles and formats. In its most famous form, ''Let's Pretend'', the Peabody Award- ...

'' show in 1943 at age twelve. He began acting on radio and stage regularly also working as an assistant stage manager.The Life Story of RAY DANTON Picture Show; London Vol. 65, Iss. 1697, (Oct 8, 1955): 12. Danton attended Horace Mann School and in 1947 he started at what is now

Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of its predecessors was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools; it became the Carnegie Institute of Technology ...

where he appeared in many stage productions. He went to New York to try and make it on Broadway and ended up appearing on television dramas. In 1950, he went to London to appear on stage in the

Tyrone Power Tyrone Edmund Power III (May 5, 1914 – November 15, 1958) was an American actor. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Power appeared in dozens of films, often in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads. His better-known films include ''Jesse James (193 ...

production '' Mister Roberts''. He returned to guest star on shows like ''Danger'' (an episode directed by

Sidney Lumet Sidney Arthur Lumet ( ; June 25, 1924 – April 9, 2011) was an American film director. He was nominated five times for the Academy Award: four for Best Director for ''12 Angry Men'' (1957), '' Dog Day Afternoon'' (1975), ''Network'' (1976 ...

) and ''Starlight Theatre''. Danton's acting career was put on hold when he served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...

during the

Korean War {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Korean War , partof = the Cold War and the Korean conflict , image = Korean War Montage 2.png , image_size = 300px , caption = Clockwise from top:{ ...

from 1951–1953. When he returned to the U.S., he resumed his television career, appearing in shows like '' Kraft Theatre'', '' The Man Behind the Badge'', ''Lux Video Theatre'' and ''You Are There''. He played Jean Lafitte in '' The Pirate and the Lawyer'' (1955) for the

Hallmark Hall of Fame ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'', originally called ''Hallmark Television Playhouse'', is an anthology program on American television, sponsored by Hallmark Cards, a Kansas City-based greeting card company. The longest-running prime-time series in ...

. He then received an offer from Universal.

Universal

Danton made his film debut in '' Chief Crazy Horse'' (1955) playing Little Big Man. His second film for Universal ''

The Looters ''The Looters'' is a 1967 French film starring Jean Seberg, Serge Gainsbourg Serge Gainsbourg (; born Lucien Ginsburg; 2 April 1928 – 2 March 1991) was a French musician, singer-songwriter, actor, author and filmmaker. Regarded as one ...

'' (1955) was where he met his future wife

. MGM borrowed him to play

Susan Hayward Susan Hayward (born Edythe Marrenner; June 30, 1917 – March 14, 1975) was an American film actress, best known for her film portrayals of women that were based on true stories. After working as a fashion model for the Walter Thornton Model A ...

's boyfriend in '' I'll Cry Tomorrow'' (1955), a sizeable hit. Back at Universal he had a role in '' The Spoilers'' (1955) then played his first lead in '' Outside the Law'' (1956). He was prolific in television work as well as film where he received the

Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of ...

in 1956 for the new male star of the year in film. He had the lead in '' The Night Runner'' (1957) and appeared in shows like ''Studio 57'', ''Schlitz Playhouse'', ''

Playhouse 90 ''Playhouse 90'' was an American television anthology drama series that aired on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. The show was produced at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of th ...

'', '' Studio One in Hollywood'', ''Matinee Theatre'', ''Climax!'', and ''Decision''.

Warner Bros.

Danton had a supporting role in '' Too Much, Too Soon'' (1958) at Warner Bros playing an abusive husband of Diana Barrymore. He signed a long term contract with the studio, appearing in '' Onionhead'' (1958). Danton starred in '' Tarawa Beachhead'' (1958) at Columbia, with co-star Kerwin Mathews, and his off-screen wife Julie Adams. That year, Danton guest-starred in '' Yancy Derringer'' and shows ''77 Sunset Strip''. He returned to MGM to star in two films for Albert Zugsmith: ''

The Beat Generation ''The Beat Generation'' is a 1959 American crime film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Steve Cochran and Mamie Van Doren, with Ray Danton, Fay Spain, Maggie Hayes, Jackie Coogan, Louis Armstrong, James Mitchum, Vampira, and Ray Anthony. It ...

'' and '' The Big Operator''. In 1959, he guest-starred in the episode "The Meeting" of '' Behind Closed Doors''. Danton played American agent Ralph Drake who is sent to Austria to meet with western agents from six

Iron Curtain The Iron Curtain was the political boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1991. The term symbolizes the efforts by the Soviet Union (USSR) to block itself and its ...

countries after it is revealed that the Soviet Union had named a new head of the secret police. Warners gave him supporting roles in ''

Yellowstone Kelly ''Yellowstone Kelly'' is a 1959 American Western film based upon a novel by Heck Allen (using his pen name Clay Fisher, which shows in the film credits) with a screenplay by Burt Kennedy starring Clint Walker as Luther Sage "Yellowstone" Kelly ...

'' and '' Ice Palace'' and gave him the lead in a TV series '' The Alaskans'' (1959-1960). The studio then cast him in his most famous role '' The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond'' (1960) where he played the eponymous gangster for director

Budd Boetticher Oscar "Budd" Boetticher Jr. ( ; July 29, 1916 – November 29, 2001) was an American film director. He is best remembered for a series of low-budget Westerns he made in the late 1950s starring Randolph Scott. Early life Boetticher was born in C ...

. He appeared in the drama series ''

Bourbon Street Beat ''Bourbon Street Beat'' is a private detective television series that aired on the ABC network from October 5, 1959, to July 4, 1960, starring Richard Long as Rex Randolph and Andrew Duggan as Cal Calhoun, with Arlene Howell as detective agen ...

'', ''

Hawaiian Eye ''Hawaiian Eye'' is an American detective television series that ran from October 1959 to April 1963 on the ABC television network. Premise Private investigator Tracy Steele ( Anthony Eisley) and his half-Hawaiian partner, Tom Lopaka ( Robert ...

'', ''Cheyenne'', ''Maverick'' and '' The Roaring 20s''. In 1960, Danton and Ron Foster were cast as Kane and Tommy Potts, respectively, in the episode "Bounty List" of the western series '' Colt .45''. He also appeared in the ABC/WB western '' Lawman''. Response was so strong Warners announced they would give Danton his own show, ''Las Vegas''. Instead, he did '' A Fever in the Blood'' (1961) and reprised the role of Legs Diamond in Vic Morrow's ''

Portrait of a Mobster ''Portrait of a Mobster'' is a 1961 American crime film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Vic Morrow, Leslie Parrish and Ray Danton repeating his role as 'Legs' Diamond.PORTRAIT OF A MOBSTER, Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 28, Iss. 32 ...

''. Danton maintained his gangster persona with the title role in ''

'', a screen biography of 1930s actor/dancer George Raft. "I guess I'm the last of the big time gangsters," he said in a 1962 interview. In 1961, Danton co-starred with Rosalind Russell,

Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. After an early career on the stage, Guinness was featured in several of the Ealing comedies, including '' Kind Hearts and Coronets'' (1 ...

, and Madlyn Rhue in '' A Majority of One''. He was one of many stars in ''The Longest Day'' (1962) and had a supporting role in '' The Chapman Report'' (1962). On October 9, 1962, Danton appeared as the gunfighter Vince Jackson in the episode "The Fortune Hunter" of '' Laramie''. He also guest-starred in the NBC western ''

Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...

'' and its successor series '' Redigo'', both starring Richard Egan. November 7, 1962 he took on the role of Lt. Steve Hamilton, one of Col. Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders"(It's 1898 and The Spanish American War)in an episode entitled "Riff-Raff" on the first season of "The Virginian." Danton was in the TV movie '' FBI Code 98'' (1963). In 1964, Danton was cast in the episode "The Wooing of Perilous Pauline" of '' Death Valley Days''. He returned to the stage to perform in '' 110 in the Shade''.

Europe

Danton went to Europe to star in ''

Sandokan to the Rescue ''Sandokan to the Rescue'' (Italian: ''Sandokan alla riscossa'') is a 1907 adventure novel by the Italian writer Emilio Salgari. It is the seventh in his series featuring the nineteenth century Malayan pirate Sandokan. It is also known by the alt ...

'' (1964) which was popular enough for a sequel '' Return of Sandokan'' (1964). He stayed in Europe to make '' Code Name: Jaguar'' (1965). He returned to the USA to guest star in ''Honey West'' and ''The Man from UNCLE'' then went back to Europe to make ''

Secret Agent Super Dragon ''Secret Agent Super Dragon'' (Italian: ''New York chiama Superdrago'') is a 1966 international co-production Eurospy film directed by Giorgio Ferroni and starring Ray Danton as the titular secret agent. Plot The plot centers on a secret agent ...

'' (1966), '' How to Win a Billion... and Get Away with It'' (1967), '' Si muore solo una volta'' (1967), '' Lucky, el intrépido'' (1967), '' Hello Glen Ward, House Dick'' (1968), and '' Die grosse Treibjagd'' (1969). He would periodically return to the US to guest star on shows like ''Ironside'', ‘’Hawaii Five-0’’, ''It Takes a Thief'', and ''Dan August''.

Producer and director

He formed a production company in Europe producing films like ''

The Last Mercenary ''The Last Mercenary'' is a 1968 Spanish/West German/Italian international co-production of a modern-day Western. It was directed by Mel Welles who was uncredited for financial funding reasons.Paul, Louis ''Mel Welles Interview'' ''Tales from th ...

'' and began directing with '' Deathmaster'' (1972) and ''

Psychic Killer ''Psychic Killer'' is a 1975 American horror film directed by Ray Danton and written by Greydon Clark, Mikel Angel and Ray Danton. The film stars Paul Burke, Jim Hutton, Julie Adams, Nehemiah Persoff, Neville Brand and Aldo Ray. The film was re ...

'' (1975). Danton continued directing as well as acting and started producing films such as ''Triangle'' in 1971. He was in '' The Ballad of Billie Blue'' (1972), '' A Very Missing Person'' (1972), '' Runaway!'' (1973), '' The Centerfold Girls'' (1974), and '' Apache Blood'' (1975).

Return to the U.S.

He guest-starred in an episode of ''

Nakia Nakia Reynoso (born February 20, 1975), known professionally as Nakia, is an American musician, singer-songwriter and actor living in Austin, Texas. He is a native of Fort Payne, Alabama. Professional background Nakia moved to Austin in 20 ...

'' and a '' Hawaii Five-O'' episode "Steal Now, Pay Later". He began a busy directing career in television, helming episodes of ''Switch'', ''Baretta'', ''Cagney & Lacey'', ''Fame'', ''T.J. Hooker'' and ''Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer''. "Acting has fallen to an all-time low in this country," he said in a 1985 interview. He directed a stage production of ''Come Back, Little Sheba'' in 1987. Danton directed many episodes of '' Magnum PI'' in Season 8, 1987-1988.

Personal life

Danton was married to actress

from 1954 or 1955 until their divorce in 1981. They had two sons: assistant director Steven Danton (b. 1956) and editor Mitchell Danton (b. 1962).

Death

Danton died of

kidney failure Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste products from the blood, functioning at less than 15% of normal levels. Kidney failure is classified as eit ...

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

.McMurray, Emily J (editor) ''Contemporary Theatre, Film, and Television'' Volume 11, Garland Publishing, Inc. (1993)

Filmography

*'' Chief Crazy Horse'' (1955) as Little Big Man *''

'' (1955) as Pete Corder *'' The Spoilers'' (1955) as Blackie *'' I'll Cry Tomorrow'' (1955) as David Tredman *'' Outside the Law'' (1956) as John Conrad, alias Johnny Salvo *'' Somebody Up There Likes Me'' (1956) as Off-Screen Reporter (voice, uncredited) *'' The Night Runner'' (1957) as Roy Turner *'' Trackdown'' (1957 TV Series) episode "Sweetwater Texas" as Clem Reese *'' Too Much, Too Soon'' (1958) as John Howard *'' Onionhead'' (1958) as Ensign Dennis Higgins *'' Yancy Derringer (1958 TV series) episode "An Ace Called Spade" as Spade Stuart *'' Tarawa Beachhead'' (1958) as Lt. Joel Brady *''

'' (1959) as Stan Hess *'' The Big Operator'' (1959) as Oscar 'The Executioner' Wetzel *''

'' (1959) - Sayapi, Gall's Nephew *'' Ice Palace'' (1960) as Bay Husack *'' The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond'' (1960) as Jack 'Legs' Diamond *''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enr ...

'' season 5, episode 5: "Savage Breed" (1960) as Marshal Al Lestrade *''

Maverick Maverick, Maveric or Maverik may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Bure ...

'' season 4, episode 16: "A State Of Siege" (1961) as Don Felipe Archuleta *'' A Fever in the Blood'' (1961) as Attorney Clem Marker *''

'' (1961) as 'Legs' Diamond *''

'' (1961) as George Raft *'' A Majority of One'' (1961) as Jerry Black *'' The Longest Day'' (1962) as Capt. Frank *'' Laramie'' (1962 TV series) as Vince Jackson, a very suave conman/gunslinger *'' The Virginian (1962 TV series) episode "Riff Raff" as Lt. Steve Hamilton, an officer serving under Col. Teddy Roosevelt in the Spanish American War *'' The Chapman Report'' (1962) as Fred Linden *'' FBI Code 98'' (1963) as Fred Vitale * ''

'' (1964) as Sandokan * ''

Sandokan Against the Leopard of Sarawak ''Sandokan Against the Leopard of Sarawak'' (Italian: ''Sandokan contro il leopardo di Sarawak'') is a 1964 historical adventure film directed by Luigi Capuano and starring Ray Danton, Franca Bettoia and Guy Madison.Goble p.939 It was made as a c ...

'' (1964) as Sandokan *'' Code Name: Jaguar'' (1965) as Jeff Larson *''

'' (1966) as Bryan Cooper / Super Dragon *''Ballata da un miliardo'' (1967) as Big Joe Martin *' (1967) as Mike Gold *'' Lucky, the Inscrutable'' (1967) as Lucky *''Llaman de Jamaica, Mr. Ward'' (1968) as Glen Ward *''

'' (1968) as Mark / Marco Anderson *''Triangle'' (1970) as Carlo Di Fermi *' (1971) as Jimmy Logan *''The Ballad of Billie Blue'' (1972) *'' The Runaway Train'' (1973) as Prof. Jack Dunn *''Blood, Black and White'' (1973) *''

Centerfold Girls ''The Centerfold Girls'' is a 1974 sexploitation thriller film directed by John Peyser. The film is about a sadistic serial killer (Andrew Prine) who targets the centerfold models of popular men's magazines. Cast *Andrew Prine as Clement Dunne ...

'' (1974) as Perry *'' Apache Blood'' (1975) as Yellow Shirt *'' The Rockford Files'' - TV Series (1975) as Chester Sierra (Episode: Chicken Little is a Little Chicken) *''

'' (1975) as Narrator (voice, uncredited) *'' Sixpack Annie'' (1975) as Mr. O'Meyer *'' Our Man Flint: Dead on Target'' (1976) as Derek Flint

References

External links

* *
Ray Danton in Secret Agent Super Dragon (TCM Movie Morlocks)
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Danton, Ray 1931 births 1992 deaths 20th-century American male actors American expatriates in Italy American male film actors American film directors American male radio actors American male stage actors American male television actors American television directors Television producers from California United States Army personnel of the Korean War Jewish American male actors Male actors from Los Angeles Deaths from kidney failure Warner Bros. contract players 20th-century American businesspeople Western (genre) television actors New Star of the Year (Actor) Golden Globe winners 20th-century American Jews