Don DeFore
Biography
Don DeFore was an American actor who moved from theater into films and television. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and after studying law at the University of Iowa he trained at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. He toured with stock companies, then made his Broadway debut in 1938 in Where Do We Go from Here? and later appeared in The Male Animal. His screen career began with a bit part in Reunion (1936). During the 1940s he appeared in A Guy Named Joe (1943). He also had a role in It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947). On television he was Thorny in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet between 1952 and 1957, which brought him a 1955 Primetime Emmy nomination, and he later starred as George Baxter on Hazel from 1961 to 1965. He led the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as president from 1954 to 1955.
80years old at death
- Born Cedar Rapids
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
- Also credited as Donald John DeFore
Movie Career
- Films
- 14
- Career span
- 17 years1943 to 1960
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First role
DeFore made his first screen appearance in a bit part in Reunion, a 1936 film. Exhibitors later voted him the fourth-most promising "star of tomorrow" in 1946.
First role
DeFore made his Broadway debut in 1938 in Where Do We Go from Here? after Oscar Hammerstein II offered to take the play to Broadway, and he went along with five of the original cast members.
Early training
DeFore enrolled at the University of Iowa after finishing Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. He began in law and also took part in basketball, track and baseball, but acting drew his interest, so he moved to the Pasadena Community Playhouse, earning a scholarship and remaining three years.
A first
As president of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences from 1954 to 1955, DeFore was instrumental in arranging the first national television broadcast of the Emmy Awards on March 7, 1955.
Don DeFore movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Mervyn LeRoy directed two of these films, Douglas Sirk two. Fifteen actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Bess Flowers's page
Ray Teal's page
Dean Martin's page
Jerry Lewis's page
Spencer Tracy's page
Lloyd Bridges's page
Mervyn LeRoyDirector, 2 films, 1944 to 1946
All films by Mervyn LeRoy
All films by Douglas Sirk
Also two films together9 more actors
- Mike MazurkiThe Facts of Life (1960) and Dark City (1950)
- Van JohnsonThirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944) and A Guy Named Joe (1943)
- Dan DuryeaBattle Hymn (1957) and Too Late for Tears (1949)
- Alan Hale Jr.Battle Hymn (1957) and It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)
- Charles RugglesIt Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) and Ramrod (1947)
- Robert BiceToo Late for Tears (1949) and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)
- Lizabeth ScottDark City (1950) and Too Late for Tears (1949)
- Leslie BrooksRomance on the High Seas (1948) and City Without Men (1943)
- Jock MahoneyA Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958) and Battle Hymn (1957)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.