Dan Duryea
(Lt. Lou Dana)
(1907-1968)
Birthplace: White Plains, New York, U.S.A.
Education: Cornell University
Radiography:
1945 Lux Radio Theatre
1946 March Of the Movies
1946 This Is Hollywood
1947 Suspense
1948 Family Theater
1949 Sealtest Variety Theater
1950 Guest Star
1950 Hedda Hopper's Hollywood
1951 The Man From Homicide
1952 Stars In the Air
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Dan Duryea in publicity photo from 1957s 'The Burglar'
Dan Duryea circa 1961
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From the June 7th 1968 edition of the Oakland Tribune:
Actor Dan Duryea Dies
HOLLYWOOD (AP) — Mild-mannered Dan Duryea, famed for his movie and television portrayals of a heel with sex appeal, died today following a long illness. He was 61.
His career began on Broadway and lasted more than 25 years in Hollywood. He appeared in nearly 60 films and more than 75 television shows.
Duryea was pronounced dead at his hilltop home by his personal physician. He had collapsed in the bathroom while dressing.
A servant who heard a thud found the actor on the floor and summoned a fire department rescue squad, but the physician arrived first.
A soft-spoken man who loved children, flowers and sailing, Duryae as an actor was typed almost immediately as a menace. His fans fought the few efforts he made to change that image.
His recent work included the part of Eddie Jacks in "Peyton Place," a wandering confidence man who returns 19 years after deserting his wife. He joined the television show as guest star in August 1967.
Duryea's last movies included "Flight of the Phoenix," "River of Dollars," "Five Golden Dragons" and "The Bamboo Saucer."
The actor lived quietly in the Hollywood hills and rarely attended parties or visited nightclubs. His wife of 36 years, Helen Bryan, died last year. They had two sons, Peter, now 28, an actor, and Richard, 25, a talent manager now touring with the Beach Boys.
A physical breakdown led Duryea into acting as a profession. Born in White Plains, N.Y., he was graduated in English and public speaking at Cornell University, where he had some theatrical experience.
However, he chose advertising, operating in New York and Philadelphia. After six years his doctor decreed a long rest and banned advertising. It was in this period that he married Miss Bryan, also of White Plains.
Duryea found work in a theatrical stock company at $5 a week. But soon a Cornell classmate, Sidney Kingsley, came along with a play, "Dead End," which made Broadway. Duryea had a small role but ultimately replaced the star, and became an accomplished actor during the run.
Off the screen Duryea worked hard to reflect his true amiable self as a dedicated father, husband and lover of all kids. When his sons reported that their young friends considered him an ogre, Duryea invited them to the house, screened pictures for them and let them help him build his sailboats in the backyard.
Although "Peyton Place" perpetuated the myth of Duryea the nogoodnik, he enjoyed it. During his early days as guest star he told an interviewer: "An actor lives for good scenes, and in the two weeks I've been with "Peyton Place" I've had several. They do a damn good job."
In 1952 he had his own TV show, " Affairs of China Smith,'' which ran 26 episodes. Another set of 26 was made in 1955, under the altered title "New Adventures of China Smith." In some cities these were still running in 1963.
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