Handsome lead with dark good looks and sleek black hair who began his career as a child actor on radio and appeared in early live TV dramas in New York. After making his film debut in "Chief Crazy Horse" (1954), Danton gained notice for his portrayal of Lillian Roth's first love in the soapy biopic "I'll Cry Tomorrow" (1955). Danton is best remembered for his portrayal of ruthless mobster "Legs" Diamond in both Budd Boetticher's gangster melodrama, "The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond" (1960), and the 1961 biopic of gangster Dutch Schultz, "Portrait of a Mobster". That same year he also starred in the title role of "The George Raft Story".
In 1964 Danton moved to Italy, where he starred in numerous low-budget films and turned to directing with "Deathmaster" (1972). He formed his own production company in Barcelona before returning in 1975 to the US, where he become a TV director for Universal. Danton helmed episodes of "Cagney and Lacey", "Quincy", "Fame" and "Dallas" and served as supervising producer on "The New Mike Hammer" TV series (1986-87). Danton was at one time married to actress Julie Adams.
- Also Credited As:
Raymond Danton
- Born:
September 19, 1931 in New York, New York
- Died:
February 11, 1992.
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Job Titles:
Actor, Director, Radio performer
Significant Others
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Companion: Jeannie Austin.
Education
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Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Milestones
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1954 Film debut in "Chief Crazy Horse"
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1955 Career breakthrough as heavy in "I'll Cry Tomorrow"
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1964 Moved to Italy; appeared in Italian-produced films
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1975 Returned to USA; directed stage production of "South Pacific" in Hawaii
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1975 Screenwriting debut and his first US independent feature as director, "Psychic Killer"
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1976 Hired by Universal as a TV director; directed episodes of "Cagney & Lacey"
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1987 Directed "John Henry" starring Danny Glover and Tom Hulce for Shelley Duvall's "Faerie Tale Theater"
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Appeared in London stage production of "Mister Roberts"
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Appeared on live TV dramas including "Studio One" and "The Philco Playhouse"
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Appeared on stage in "Tiger at the Gates" with Robert Ryan, and the musicals "Carnival" and "110 in the Shade"
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Began career as a child performer on the radio show, "Let's Pretend" at age 12
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Directed 17 films in Italy and Spain including "The Deathmaster" (1972) and "Crypt of the Dead" (1973); ran his own production company in Barcelona
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Moved to Hollywood
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Played saloon owner on TV series, "The Alaskans"
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Served as supervising producer of the TV series, "The New Mike Hammer"
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Served in the US military during the Korean War