David Janssen
Actor

David Janssen Net Worth

David Janssen was an American actor of German, Swiss-German, and Scottish-Irish descent. He began his career in 1945 with a bit part in It's a Pleasure and went on to appear in 32 films before starring in the TV series Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957). His biggest success came from his lead role in The Fugitive (1963). After the series ended, Janssen appeared in lead and supporting roles in movies, as well as made-for-TV-movies and other TV projects. He died in 1980 from a sudden heart attack at the age of 48, likely due to his intense work ethic.
David Janssen is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Sound Department, Miscellaneous Crew
Birth Day March 27, 1931
Birth Place  Naponee, Nebraska, United States
Age 89 YEARS OLD
Died On February 13, 1980(1980-02-13) (aged 48)\nMalibu, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Aries
Cause of death Heart attack
Resting place Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery
Occupation Actor
Years active 1945–1980
Spouse(s) Ellie Graham (m. 1958; div. 1968) Dani Crayne (m. 1975–1980)

💰 Net worth: $1.2 Million (2024)

David Janssen is a highly respected figure in the entertainment industry, known for his versatility and contribution in various roles such as an actor, sound department member, and miscellaneous crew. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be around $1.2 million. Throughout his successful career, David Janssen has worked on numerous projects that have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. With his talent and dedication, he has managed to leave a lasting impact on the United States' entertainment scene, solidifying his place as a revered and talented individual.

Biography/Timeline

1906

Janssen was born in 1931 in Naponee, a village in Franklin County in southern Nebraska, to Harold Edward Meyer, a banker (May 12, 1906 – November 4, 1990) and Berniece Graf (May 11, 1910 – November 26, 1995). Janssen was of Irish and Jewish descent. Following his parents' divorce in 1935, his mother moved with five-year-old David to Los Angeles, California, and later married Eugene Janssen (February 18, 1918 – March 30, 1996) in 1940 in Los Angeles. Young David used his stepfather's name after he entered show Business as a child.

1956

Janssen appeared in many television series before he landed programs of his own. In 1956, he and Peter Breck appeared in John Bromfield's syndicated series Sheriff of Cochise in the episode "The Turkey Farmers". Later, he guest-starred on NBC's medical drama The Eleventh Hour in the role of Hal Kincaid in the 1962 episode "Make Me a Place", with series co-stars Wendell Corey and Jack Ging. He joined friend Martin Milner in a 1962 episode of Route 66 as the character Kamo in the episode "One Tiger to a Hill."

1958

Janssen was married twice. His first marriage was to model and interior decorator Ellie Graham, whom he married in Las Vegas on August 25, 1958. They divorced in 1968. In 1975, he married Actress and model Dani Crayne Greco. They remained married until Janssen's death.

1967

He starred as a Los Angeles police detective trying to clear himself in the killing of an apparently innocent Doctor in the 1967 film Warning Shot. The film was shot during a break in the spring and summer of 1966 between the third and fourth seasons of The Fugitive.

1977

Janssen played an alcoholic in the 1977 TV movie A Sensitive, Passionate Man, which co-starred Angie Dickinson, and an Engineer who devises an unbeatable system for blackjack in the 1978 made-for-TV movie Nowhere to Run, co-starring Stefanie Powers and Linda Evans. Janssen's impressively husky voice was used to good effect as the narrator for the TV mini-series Centennial (1978–79); he also appeared in the final episode. He starred in the made for tv mini series “S.O.S. Titanic” as John Jacob Astor, playing opposite Beverly Ross as his wife, Madeleine, in 1979.

1980

A heavy drinker and a four-pack-a-day smoker, Janssen died of a heart attack in the early morning of February 13, 1980, at his home in Malibu, California at the age of 48. At the time of his death, Janssen was filming the television movie Father Damien. Janssen was buried at the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California. A non-denominational funeral was held at the Jewish chapel of the cemetery on February 17. Suzanne Pleshette delivered the eulogy at the request of Janssen's widow. Milton Berle, Johnny Carson, Tommy Gallagher, Richard Harris, Stan Herman, Rod Stewart and Gregory Peck were among Janssen's pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers included Jack Lemmon, George Peppard, James Stewart and Danny Thomas.

1996

In 1996 TV Guide ranked him number 36 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list.

Some David Janssen images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.