David Janssen Biographies & Genealogy

9 David Janssen Biographies

David Janssen Mar 27, 1931 - Feb 13, 1980

David Janssen was born David Harold Meyer in 1931 in Naponee, Nebraska, to Berniece Mae (Graf) and Harold Edward Meyer, a banker. He was of German, and some Swiss-German and Ulster-Scots, descent. David took the surname of his stepfather, Eugene Janssen. The Janssen family settled in Hollywood when he was a teenager and he attended Fairfax High School, where he developed an interest in acting. His film debut was a bit part in It's a Pleasure (1945), and at the age of 18 signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox. However, the studio dropped him after allegedly becoming disenchanted with his odd hairline and big prominent ears. Janssen had better luck at Universal, where he signed on in the early 1950s and became a supporting player in 32 films before appearing on TV as the star of Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957). He resumed his movie career in 1961, a year after the series ended. His biggest success came from his lead in the series The Fugitive (1963), playing the haunted, hunted Dr. Richard Kimble, on the run for a murder he didn't commit. After the series ended, Janssen launched himself into a grueling schedule by appearing in lead and supporting roles in movies, but he had better luck with made-for-TV-movie roles and a short-lived series, O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971). He had another hit series with the cult favorite Harry O (1973). Janssen continued appearing in lead roles in nearly 20 made-for-TV movies during the 1970s as well as other TV projects. He died in 1980 from a sudden heart attack at his Malibu home at the age of 48. Unfounded speculation holds that Janssen succumbed to alcoholism, a problem that plagued him most of his adult life. However, a much more reasonable explanation for David Janssen's sudden demise is that this intense, dedicated, determined actor simply worked himself to death.

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David B Janssen Jun 25, 1949 - Apr 9, 2006

David B Janssen was born on June 25, 1949, and died at age 56 years old on April 9, 2006. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember David B Janssen.

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David C Janssen Jun 15, 1944 - Jan 29, 2011 Chesterfield, Missouri

David C Janssen of Chesterfield, Saint Louis County, Missouri was born on June 15, 1944, and died at age 66 years old on January 29, 2011.

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David W Janssen Jan 23, 1966 - Dec 14, 2010 Marshalltown, Iowa

David W Janssen of Marshalltown, Marshall County, IA was born on January 23, 1966, and died at age 44 years old on December 14, 2010.

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David H Janssen Mar 12, 1948 - Jan 9, 2003 Des Moines, Iowa

David H Janssen of Des Moines, Polk County, IA was born on March 12, 1948, and died at age 54 years old on January 9, 2003.

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David H Janssen Sep 25, 1938 - May 22, 2003 Hibbing, Minnesota

David H Janssen of Hibbing, Saint Louis County, MN was born on September 25, 1938, and died at age 64 years old on May 22, 2003.

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David J Janssen Aug 15, 1955 - May 9, 2006

David J Janssen was born on August 15, 1955, and died at age 50 years old on May 9, 2006. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember David J Janssen.

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David H Janssen Jan 14, 1954 - Sep 29, 2004

David H Janssen was born on January 14, 1954, and died at age 50 years old on September 29, 2004. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember David H Janssen.

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