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Ray DantonAmerican stage, film, television and radio actor; director and producer
Date of Birth: 19.09.1931
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Raymond Danton: A Versatile Entertainment Icon
- Military Service and Post-War Success
- Television and Film Stardom
- Dangerous Roles and Political Intrigue
- European Ventures and Production Career
- Directorial and Personal Life
Raymond Danton: A Versatile Entertainment Icon
Early Life and Career BeginningsRaymond Danton, born Kaplan on September 19, 1931, in New York City, first graced the world of show business as a child actor on NBC's radio program "Let's Pretend" in 1943. While pursuing his education at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Technical School, he performed in several stage productions before traveling to London in 1950 to appear in the hit play "Mister Roberts" alongside Tyrone Power.
Military Service and Post-War Success
Danton's acting career was briefly interrupted by his military service in the U.S. Army's infantry during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. His cinematic debut came in 1955's western "Chief Crazy Horse," followed by a contract with Universal Pictures. In Daniel Mann's musical drama "I'll Cry Tomorrow," he established his signature screen persona as a calm yet menacing villain. During the production of his third Universal film, "The Looters," he met his future wife, actress Julie Adams.
Television and Film Stardom
Danton was a prolific performer on both television and the silver screen, earning a Golden Globe Award in 1956 as the Most Promising New Male Star of the Year in Motion Pictures. Starting with the dramedy "Onionhead," he established a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures and Television, culminating in his most iconic role in "The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond" as the titular gangster Jack Diamond. He reprised this role in the crime drama "Portrait of a Mobster" with Vic Morrow.
Dangerous Roles and Political Intrigue
Continuing his streak of menacing characters, Danton starred in the biographical drama "The George Raft Story," chronicling the life of 1930s actor and dancer George Raft. In 1959, he appeared as a guest star in the Cold War documentary drama "Behind Closed Doors." Danton portrayed American agent Ralph Drake, traveling to Austria under the cover of a photographer to meet with Eastern agents from six countries "behind the Iron Curtain" after learning the identity of the new head of the Soviet secret police.
European Ventures and Production Career
Danton branched out to Italian cinema, starring in films like "Last Mercenary." He also ventured into television with "The Alaskans" and portrayed spies in several pilot projects, including "Big Time" (1957), "Solitare" (1962), and "Our Man Flint-Dead on Target" (1976). In the mid-1960s, he split his time between American television series and European films.
Directorial and Personal Life
Danton founded the European production company responsible for films such as "Last Mercenary." He transitioned to directing with horror films like "Deathmaster" (1972) and further directed movies like "The Tomb of the Cursed Island" and "Psychic Killer." He also directed several television films, including "Shelley Duvall Presents: American Tall Tales and Legends: John Henry," "Tales of the Unexpected," and "The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer." Danton had two sons, Steve and Mitchell. He passed away on February 11, 1992, in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from kidney disease.
