Peter Donat
Biography
Peter Donat was a Canadian actor who worked widely in theater, television and film, and was a co-founding member of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, he graduated from Acadia University and went on to the Yale School of Drama, where he first drew notice playing the lead in Cyrano de Bergerac. He performed many Shakespearean roles at the Stratford Festival and won a 1957 Theatre World Award for The First Gentleman. Television audiences knew him as Elmo Tyson on Flamingo Road and as Fox Mulder's father, William Mulder, on The X-Files. His film work included The Hindenburg (1975), F.I.S.T. (1978), The China Syndrome (1979), The War of the Roses (1989), Skin Deep (1989) and The Game (1997), and he was nominated for a Genie Award for The Bay Boy.
90years old at death
- Born Kentville
- Died Point Reyes Station
- Star sign: AquariusFirst day of the sign, on the Capricorn cusp
- Pierre Collingwood Donat (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 14
- Career span
- 26 years1975 to 2001
Genres
First and latest
Share
Did you know?!
Big break
After a chance meeting with Tyrone Guthrie, Donat was cast in The First Gentleman, his first Broadway production, and received a 1957 Theatre World Award for it.
Early training
Donat graduated from Acadia University before studying at the Yale School of Drama. There he gained his first notice as a stage actor, playing the lead in a production of Cyrano de Bergerac.
A first
Donat took a leading part in 1961 in The Canvas Barricade, a stage play by Donald Jack. It was the first Canadian play to be staged at the Stratford Festival.
Beyond film
Donat was active in local theater, and his most notable part there was Professor Higgins in the 1988 Cabrillo Stage production of My Fair Lady, which was his first singing role.
Peter Donat movies on Netflix
The Deep Endas Jack Hall
Red Corneras David McAndrews
The Gameas Samuel Sutherland
Dieppeas McNaughton
School Tiesas Headmaster Dr. Bartram
The Babeas Harry Frazee
Skin Deepas Sparky
The War of the Rosesas Jason Larrabee
Tucker: The Man and His Dreamas Otto Kerner
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stainsas Harley Dennis
Mazes and Monstersas Harold
The China Syndromeas Don Jacovich
F.I.S.T.as Arthur St. Clair
The Hindenburgas Reed Channing
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Michael Douglas 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
Michael Douglas3 films together, 1979 to 1997
Michael Douglas's page The Game1997IMDb rating 7.7Donat as Samuel SutherlandDouglas as Nicholas Van Orton
The War of the Roses1989IMDb rating 6.9Donat as Jason LarrabeeDouglas as Oliver Rose
The China Syndrome1979IMDb rating 7.4Donat as Don JacovichDouglas as Richard Adams
James Karen2 films together, 1978 to 1979
James Karen's page The China Syndrome1979IMDb rating 7.4Donat as Don JacovichKaren as Mac Churchill
F.I.S.T.1978IMDb rating 6.4Donat as Arthur St. ClairKaren as Andrews
Richard Herd2 films together, 1978 to 1979
Richard Herd's page The China Syndrome1979IMDb rating 7.4Donat as Don JacovichHerd as Evan McCormack
F.I.S.T.1978IMDb rating 6.4Donat as Arthur St. ClairHerd as Mike Monahan
John Lehne2 films together, 1978 to 1982
John Lehne's page Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains1982IMDb rating 6.7Donat as Harley DennisLehne as Stu McGrath
F.I.S.T.1978IMDb rating 6.4Donat as Arthur St. ClairLehne as Mr. Gant
Box office
What Peter Donat's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$471 million
10 of the 14 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 14 films: 10 worldwide figure; 1 us gross only; 2 never in cinemas; 1 figure not found.
- 10Worldwide figure
- 1US gross only
- 2Never in cinemas
- 1Figure not found
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 95% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$160M34.0% of the total
- 2$109M23.2% of the total
- 3$52M11.0% of the total
- 4$45M9.6% of the total
- 5$22M4.8% of the total
- 6$20M4.3% of the total
- 7$20M4.2% of the total
- 8$18M3.7% of the total
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1957 | Theatre World Award | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.











