Don Calfa
Biography
Don Calfa was an American character actor who worked in film and television for more than 40 years. Born in Brooklyn in 1939 and raised in Queens and later on Long Island, he first considered fine arts, but a viewing of Rebel Without a Cause led him toward acting; he left high school for a theater workshop, finished his degree at night school, and became a member of the Actors' Equity Association and of the Screen Actors Guild. Before film, he appeared in many Off-Off-Broadway shows and on Broadway in Mating Dance in 1965 and Lenny in 1971. He was best known for his rare leading part as the mortician Ernie Kaltenbrunner in The Return of the Living Dead (1985) and for the bumbling hitman Paulie in Weekend at Bernie's (1989). His other cult comedies included Foul Play (1978) and Chopper Chicks in Zombietown (1989), and he played seven roles over seven episodes of Barney Miller. Calfa died in 2016.
76years old at death
- Born Brooklyn
- Died Palm Springs
- Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
- Also credited as Donald George Calfa
Movie Career
- Films
- 23
- Career span
- 39 years1972 to 2011
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Did you know?!
A role that slipped away
Calfa tried out for Doc Mandel in Return of the Living Dead Part II, the 1988 sequel, which brought back several stars from the original. Philip Bruns ended up with the role.
A first
Don Calfa appeared on Barney Miller in 7 episodes, taking on a different character each time, for a total of 7 different characters across the show.
Don Calfa movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Peter Hyams directed five of these films, Mark Rydell two. John DiSanti appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
John DiSanti's page
James Karen's page
Linnea Quigley's page
Clu Gulager's page
John Ritter's page
All films by Peter Hyams
All films by Mark Rydell
Also two films together17 more actors
- Miguel A. Núñez Jr.More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011) and The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- Barry PrimusThe Rose (1979) and New York, New York (1977)
- Larry HankinRunning Scared (1986) and The Star Chamber (1983)
- Dudley Moore10 (1979) and Foul Play (1978)
- Allan ArbusCinderella Liberty (1973) and Greaser's Palace (1972)
- Liam DunnPeeper (1975) and The Bank Shot (1974)
- Thom MathewsMore Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011) and The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- John Hancock10 (1979) and Foul Play (1978)
- John PhilbinMore Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011) and The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- Robert LesserThe Presidio (1988) and Running Scared (1986)
- Brian PeckMore Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011) and The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- Lou CutellFoul Play (1978) and Rhinoceros (1974)
- Margo WinklerNew York, New York (1977) and Peeper (1975)
- Albert HendersonThe Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) and Greaser's Palace (1972)
- Jewel ShepardMore Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011) and The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- Beverly RandolphMore Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011) and The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- Dana GladstoneThe Presidio (1988) and The Star Chamber (1983)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What Don Calfa's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$332 million
12 of the 23 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 23 films: 12 worldwide figure; 11 figure not found.
- 12Worldwide figure
- 11Figure not found
Top grosser
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 91% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$107M32.2% of the total
- 2$45M13.6% of the total
- 3$39M11.6% of the total
- 4$30M9.1% of the total
- 5$29M8.8% of the total
- 6$20M6.1% of the total
- 7$16M4.9% of the total
- 8$14M4.3% of the total
$31.1 millionfrom the other 4 films with a worldwide figure, 9% of the total
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.