Origins & Early Life

David Janssen (born David Harold Meyer; March 27, 1931 – February 13, 1980) was an American film and television actor who is best known for his starring role as Richard Kimble in the television series The Fugitive (1963–1967). Janssen also had the title roles in three other television series: Richard Diamond, Private Detective; O'Hara, U.S. Treasury; and Harry O. In 1996, TV Guide ranked him number 36 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

David Janssen was born on March 27, 1931, in Naponee, Nebraska, as David Harold Meyer. His father was Harold Edward Meyer, a banker, and his mother, Berniece Graf, was formerly Miss Nebraska and a Ziegfeld girl. Following his parents' divorce in 1935, his mother moved with David to Los Angeles and married Eugene Janssen in 1940. David identified with his Jewish stepfather and adopted his surname after entering show business as a child. Janssen attended Fairfax High School, where he excelled on the basketball court, setting a school scoring record that lasted over 20 years.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His first film part was at the age of thirteen, and by the age of twenty-five, he had appeared in twenty films and served two years as an enlisted man in...

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• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• March 27 (03-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 27
• 1980 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1980
• February 13 (02-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 13