Don Dillaway
Dillaway in Young as You Feel (1931)
Born
Donald Provost Dillaway

(1903-03-17)March 17, 1903
DiedNovember 18, 1982(1982-11-18) (aged 79)
Westlake Village, California, U.S.
Resting placePierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, California
OccupationActor
Years active1929–1967

Donald Provost Dillaway (March 17, 1903 – November 18, 1982) was an American stage and film actor.

Early years

Dillaway's mother, billed as Nettie Gordon, sang in vaudeville. Because she and his father insisted on a professional career for him, he studied law in Buffalo. He disliked that profession so much, however, that he moved to New York. Eventually his parents accepted his preference for entertaining and encouraged him in that career.[1]

Career

Dillaway had numerous appearances on Broadway. His Broadway debut came in The Backslapper (1925).[2]

In 1927, Dillaway was one of seven actors who were found guilty in New York City of participating in the production of an obscene play, The Virgin Man. They received suspended sentences, and three producers of the play were fined $250 each and sentenced to 10 days in the workhouse.[3]

In 1928, Dillaway acted with the Lakewood Players.[4] He also acted with Otis Skinner in Papa Juan for two seasons.[5]

Dillaway's film debut came in Meet the Widow (1930).[5] He had supporting roles in several films of the 1930s, including Pack Up Your Troubles in 1932, the second feature film from Laurel and Hardy. His roles became gradually smaller in the 1940s and 1950s, usually uncredited bit parts.

His numerous TV appearances include Maverick, Bonanza, Perry Mason, The Munsters, Run for Your Life, and The Big Valley. His final role before retiring in 1967 was in The Wild Wild West.

After he left acting, Dillaway worked as head of RKO's New Talent Department, and he was an agent for actors. Later he had his own real estate agency.[6]

Death

He died in Westlake Village, California at age 79. He was buried in Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, California.

Filmography

Richard Bennett, Joseph Cotten, Dolores Costello, Don Dillaway, Agnes Moorehead and Ray Collins in The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

References

  1. ↑ "Young Actor Studied Law". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 1931. p. 49. Retrieved October 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "("Donald Dillaway" search results)". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Cast of "Virgin Man" Found Guilty And Fined". Dunkirk Evening Observer. New York, Dunkirk. United Press. March 28, 1927. p. 15. Retrieved January 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ↑ "Buddies is big success". Morning Sentinel. Maine, Waterville. June 21, 1928. p. 8. Retrieved October 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Makes film debut". News-Journal. Ohio, Mansfield. September 18, 1930. p. 15. Retrieved October 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Hutton, Ed (June 5, 1953). "Here and There". Valley Times. California, North Hollywood. p. 5. Retrieved October 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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