Don Taylor (actor)

Don Taylor (December 13, 1920 – December 29, 1998) was an American movie actor and director best known for his performances in 1950s movies and the 1948 film noir "The Naked City".

Life and work

Born in Freeport, Pennsylvania, Taylor studied speech and drama at Penn State University, and hitchhiked to Hollywood in 1942. He was signed as a contract player at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and appeared in small roles. Drafted into the United States Army Air Forces (AAF) during World War II, he appeared in the Air Forces's Broadway play and movie "Winged Victory" (1944, credited as "Cpl. Don Taylor".

After discharge from the AAF, Taylor was cast in a lead role as the young detective in "The Naked City", which was notable for being filmed entirely on the streets of New York. After "Naked City" he appeared as the husband of Elizabeth Taylor in the comedies "Father of the Bride" (1950) and "Father's Little Dividend" (1951), with Spencer Tracy. He played Vern "Cowboy" Blithe in "Flying Leathernecks" in 1951. In 1953, he played Lt. Dunbar in Billy Wilder's "Stalag 17". His last major film role was in "I'll Cry Tomorrow" (1955).

In the late 1950s Taylor turned to directing movies and, mainly, TV shows through the late 1980s. One of his memorable efforts was the musical film, "Tom Sawyer" which boasted a Sherman Brothers song score. Other films include "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" (1971), "The Island of Dr. Moreau" (1977) and "" (1978).

Taylor was married twice:
* Phyllis Avery (1944 - 1955) (divorced) - Anne and Avery
* Hazel Court (1964 - his death) - son, Jonathan, and daughter, Courtney

He died in Los Angeles, California of heart failure.

External links

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* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7972 Find-A-Grave profile for Don Taylor]