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David Wayne Biography and Full Filmography - MovieWise

Quick Facts

Born:
1914-01-30

Birthplace:
Traverse City - Michigan - USA

Credits:
119 Total Roles

David Wayne

Acting

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Biography

David Wayne (January 30, 1914 – February 9, 1995) was an American actor with a career spanning nearly 50 years.

Wayne was born Wayne James McMeekan in Traverse City, Michigan, the son of Helen Matilda (née Mason) and John David McMeekan. He grew up in Bloomingdale, Michigan. Wayne's first major Broadway role was Og the leprechaun in Finian's Rainbow, for which he won the Theatre World Award and the first ever Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. While appearing in the play, he and co-star Albert Sharpe were recruited by producer David O. Selznick to play Irish characters in the film Portrait of Jennie (1948).

It was in 1948 as well that Wayne became one of those fortunate 50 applicants (out of approximately 700) granted membership in New York's newly formed Actors Studio. He was awarded a second Tony for Best Actor in a Play for The Teahouse of the August Moon and was nominated as Best Actor in a Musical for The Happy Time. He originated the role of Ensign Pulver in the classic stage comedy Mister Roberts and also appeared in Say, Darling, After the Fall, and Incident at Vichy.

Known For

Full Filmography

Year Title Role
2005 Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards MOVIE Grandpère Bonnard (segment "The Happy Time") (archive footage)
1987 Poker Alice MOVIE Amos
1987 The Survivalist MOVIE Dub Daniels
1986 Masters of Photography - Edward Steichen MOVIE Narrator (voice)
1985 The Golden Girls TV Big Daddy
1984 Crazy like a Fox TV Jennings Hyde
1984 Murder, She Wrote TV Cyrus Leffingwell
1984 Finder of Lost Loves TV Professor Wheeler
1984 Finders Keepers MOVIE Stapleton
1982 St. Elsewhere TV George Wyler

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