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A photo of Donald Madden

Donald Madden 1933 - 1983

Donald Richard Madden of Central Islip, Suffolk County, NY was born on November 5, 1933 in Manhattan, New York County to Owen Madden and Jane (Halloran) Madden. He had a sister Margaret E. (Madden). Donald Madden died at age 49 years old on January 22, 1983 in Central Islip, Suffolk County, and was buried at St. John of God Cemetary 118 Wheeler Rd., in Central Islip.
Donald Richard Madden
Donald
Central Islip, Suffolk County, NY 11722
November 5, 1933
Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States
January 22, 1983
Central Islip, Suffolk County, New York, United States
Male
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Donald Richard Madden's History: 1933 - 1983

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  • Introduction

    Donald Richard Madden was a Tony Award nominated Broadway actor. He only appeared in one theatrical film, "1776", but his performance was brilliant! A few of his early television works are still available. Although he has been deceased for over 35 years, he had a distinguished body of work. He will NEVER be forgotten!
  • 11/5
    1933

    Birthday

    November 5, 1933
    Birthdate
    Manhattan, New York County, New York United States
    Birthplace
  • Ethnicity & Family History

    On his paternal line, Donald was Irish. His father, Owen J. Madden, was born in 1891 in Mullen, Ireland. On his maternal line, Donald was also Irish. His mother, Jane Halloran, was born in Doonbeg, Ireland in 1891.
  • Nationality & Locations

    A first generation Irish-American, born of parents who were born in and immigrated from Ireland, Donald was born in Manhattan, New York and lived his entire life in the state of New York.
  • Early Life & Education

    Donald attended New York City College.
  • Religious Beliefs

    He was Catholic.
  • Military Service

    Donald served in the United States Army : two years in ordinance at the Aberdeen, Maryland Proving Ground. After serving in the United States Army for two years - from July 27, 1951 to July 27, 1953 - Donald worked in regional theater, including a tour of "Tea and Sympathy" opposite Linda Darnell.
  • Professional Career

    Donald Madden was an actor, known for 1776 (1972), The United States Steel Hour (1953) and Play of the Week (1959). He died on January 22, 1983 in Central Islip, Suffolk, New York at the age of 49. He was an acclaimed stage actor whose major credits include the title role in Hamlet, setting a record of 113 consecutive performances; Sergius in Arms and The Man; and several seasons with the Joseph Papp Shakespeare Festival. Donald was nominated for Broadway's 1967 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for Peter Shaffer's "Black Comedy". "1776" (1972) was the only theatrically released film he made: He was one of the few actors in the film version of "1776" who did not portray his role on Broadway. Also, his solo song in "1776" was cut from the theatrical version and was not restored until the DVD release in 1992 and his solo song was not included on the soundtrack album. Donald played the same character in two versions of "U.S. Steel Hour" "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals" in 1956 and 1963.
  • Personal Life & Family

    Donald Richard Madden was born to Owen J. Madden (1891 - 1970) and Jane Halloran, born in 1891, on November 5th, 1928 in Manhattan, New York and he had one sister, Margaret E. Madden (1924 - 1983). Donald never married and died at the relatively young age of 49. He is best known for playing Shakespearean Roles. See photographs of him in many of his roles at Donald Madden: Memory.
  • 01/22
    1983

    Death

    January 22, 1983
    Death date
    Lung cancer
    Cause of death
    Central Islip, Suffolk County, New York United States
    Death location
  • Gravesite & Burial

    mm/dd/yyyy
    Funeral date
    St. John of God Cemetary 118 Wheeler Rd., in Central Islip, Suffolk County, New York 11722, United States
    Burial location
  • Obituary

    New York Times, Jan. 23, 1983. Page 1001028, national edition with headline: DONALD MADDEN, ACTOR, DEAD AT 49. Newsday, Nassau Ed. Long Island, N. Y. Jan. 23, 1983 page 23 Newsday, Nassau, Ed. Long Island, N.Y. Jan. 24, 1983 page 29 Donald Madden died on Jan. 22, 1983, at the home of his only surviving relative, Christine Brennan. A memorial service was held in Manhattan. He was in repose at the Moloney Funeral Home in Central Islip and he is buried in St. John of God Cemetery, 118 Old Wheeler Rd. Central Islip, Suffolk County New York. He is buried along side George and Susan H. Carvalho. Grave site #3SW-Row 6-Plot 451
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113 Memories, Stories & Photos about Donald

Donald Madden photo shrine
Donald Madden photo shrine
This is my wall at home. This tribute to Donald Madden contains photos, Playbills, hand written letters penned by him. The two larger photos are jigsaw puzzles.
Date & Place: in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States
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This is fantastic Mary!! Did you ever share how you became such a Donald Madden fan in the 80s?

Very appreciative for you sharing your collection over the years.
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden as Richard II at the American Shakespeare Festival, Delecourte Theater, New York, June 1968
Date & Place: at Delacorte Theater in New York, New York United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden from his TONY AWARD NOMINATED performance as Harold Gorringe from the play, "Black Comedy, White Lies", at the Ethel Barrymore Theater, 1967
Date & Place: at Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York, New York United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden as Ethelred in the play, "A Ceremony of Innocence" at the American Place Theater", New York City, Dec. 14, 1967
Date & Place: at American Place Theater in New York, New York United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
Two photos of Donald Madden as Ethelred from the play, "Ceremony of Innocence". With Nancy R. Pollack. (left) and Sandy Duncan (right). At the American Place Theater, Dec. 14, 1967
Date & Place: at American Place Theater in New York, New York United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden as Marc Hurlbird in the broadway play, "Step On A Crack" at the Ethel Barrymore Theater. One performanace only, Oct. 17, 1962
Date & Place: at Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York, New York United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden as Mr. Marlow from the Broadway play, "She Stoops To Conquer", at the Phoenix Theater. Nov. 1960
Date & Place: at Phoenix Theater in New York, New York United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden and Eileen Herlie from the Tennessee Williams play, "Outcry". Performed at the Ivanhoe Theater in Chicago, June 1971
Date & Place: at Ivanhoe Theater in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden as Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and David Snell in Henry VI, Part 2. From the New York Shakespeare Festival, at the Delecourte Theater, New York City, June 24, 1970
Date & Place: at Delacorte Theater in New York, New York United States
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Donald Madden
Donald Madden
A photo of Donald Madden in his final stage performance, as Rudolph Hoeller in the comic play, "Eve of Retirement" at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 24, 1981
Date & Place: at Tyrone Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota United States
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Donald Madden's Family Tree & Friends

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Friendships

Donald's Friends

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9 Followers & Sources

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