Peter Lawford | |
|---|---|
 Lawford in 1955 | |
| Born | Peter Sydney Ernest Aylen (1923-09-07)7 September 1923 London, England |
| Died | 24 December 1984(1984-12-24) (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Citizenship |
|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1930–1984 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4, includingChristopher Lawford |
| Father | Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford |
Peter Sydney Ernest Lawford (néAylen; 7 September 1923 – 24 December 1984) was an English-American actor.[1][2]
He was a member of the "Rat Pack" and the brother-in-law of US presidentJohn F. Kennedy and senatorsRobert F. Kennedy andEdward Kennedy. From the 1940s to the 1960s, he was a well-known celebrity and starred in a number of highly acclaimed films. In later years, he was noted more for his off-screen activities as a celebrity than for his acting; it was said that he was "famous for being famous".[3]
Born in London in 1923, Lawford was the only child ofLieutenant General SirSydney Turing Barlow Lawford,KBE (1865–1953) and May Sommerville Bunny (1883–1972). At the time of his birth, his mother was married toLieutenant Colonel Dr. Ernest Vaughn AylenDSO,[4] one of Sir Sydney's officers, while his father was married to Muriel Williams.[5] At the time, May and Ernest Aylen were living apart. May confessed to Aylen that the child was not his, a revelation that resulted in a double divorce. Sydney and May wed in September 1924 after their divorces were finalised and when their son was one year old.[6]
Lawford's family was connected to theBritish aristocracy through his uncle Ernest Lawford's wife (a daughter of the Scottish 14thEarl of Eglinton) as well as his aunt Ethel Turner Lawford (who married a son of the 1stBaron Avebury). His aunt, Jessie Bruce Lawford, another of his father's sisters, was the second wife of the HonHartley Williams, seniorpuisne judge of the Supreme Court of the colony ofVictoria, Australia. A relative, through his mother, was Australian artistRupert Bunny.[citation needed]
He spent his early childhood in France and, owing to his family's travels, was never formally educated. Instead, he was schooled by governesses and tutors, and his education included tennis and ballet lessons.[7]
"In the beginning," his mother observed, "he had no homework. When he was older he had Spanish, German and music added to his studies. He read only selected books: English fairy stories, English and French classics; no crime stories.[7] Having studied Peter for so long, I decided he was quite unfitted for any career except art, so I cutLatin,Algebra, high mathematics and substituted dramatics instead."[7]
Because of the widely varying national and religious backgrounds of his tutors, Lawford "attended various services in churches, cathedrals, synagogues and for some time was an usher in aChristian Science Sunday School...."[8]
Around 1930, aged seven, he made his acting debut in the English filmPoor Old Bill.[9] He also had an uncredited bit inA Gentleman of Paris (1931).[10]
At the age of 14, Lawford severely injured his right arm in an accident when it went through a glass door.[11] Irreversible nerve damage severely compromised the use of his forearm and hand,[12] which he later learned to conceal.[13] The injury resulted in his being unable to follow a military career as his parents had hoped.[14] Instead, Lawford pursued a career as an actor, a decision that resulted in one of his aunts refusing to leave him her considerable fortune, as she had originally planned.[15]
In 1938, Lawford was travelling through Hollywood when he was spotted by a talent scout. He was screen tested and made his Hollywood debut in a minor part in the filmLord Jeff starringFreddie Bartholomew.[16][17]
Lawford and his family were living in Florida at the start ofWorld War II, resulting in their assets, which were in Britain at the time, being frozen. He took a job parking cars and saved enough money to return to Hollywood, where he worked as a theatre usher until he began to get film work.[18]
The advent of World War II saw an increase in British war stories and Lawford found himself in demand playing military personnel, albeit usually in uncredited parts. He is briefly seen inMrs. Miniver (1942) andEagle Squadron (1942), both times as pilots.[19]
His first decent role in a major film production was inA Yank at Eton (1942), starringMickey Rooney, in which Lawford played a snobbish bully.[20] It was very popular at the box office.[21]
Lawford was a cadet inThunder Birds: Soldiers of the Air (1942) andJunior Army (1942) (starring Bartholomew), a soldier inRandom Harvest (1942),Immortal Sergeant (1942), andLondon Blackout Murders (1943) (directed by George Sherman), and a navigator inAssignment in Brittany (1943). He had a billed part inThe Purple V (1943).[22][23]
At MGM he was a student inAbove Suspicion (1943), a soldier inPilot #5 (1943), a naval commander inThe Sky's the Limit (1943) (with Fred Astaire), and an Australian inThe Man from Down Under (1943). He had a minor role at Republic'sSomeone to Remember (1943) andThe West Side Kid (1943), the latter directed by Sherman.
Lawford played a soldier inSahara (1943) and sailors inSherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943) andCorvette K-225 (1943). He was a Frenchman inParis After Dark (1943) andFlesh and Fantasy (1943), and was a student in MGM'sGirl Crazy (1943) andThe Adventures of Mark Twain (1944).[24]
Lawford's career stepped up a notch when he was signed to a long-term contract to MGM in June 1943. The studio signed him with a specific role in mind:The White Cliffs of Dover (1944), in which he played a young soldier during the Second World War.[25]
Lawford had a small role inThe Canterville Ghost (1944) andMrs. Parkington (1944), playing a suitor ofGreer Garson.[26]
MGM gave him another important role inThe Picture of Dorian Gray (1945).
Lawford's first leading role came inSon of Lassie (1945), a big hit.
Lawford was put in aKathryn Grayson-June Allyson musical,Two Sisters from Boston (1946) which was very popular.Ernst Lubitsch used him at Fox inCluny Brown (1946) where he was billed afterCharles Boyer andJennifer Jones.
He won aModern Screen magazine readers' poll as the most popular actor in Hollywood of 1946. His fan mail jumped to thousands of letters a week.[22] With actors such asClark Gable andJames Stewart away at war, Lawford was recognised as a new romantic lead on the MGM lot.
Lawford madeMy Brother Talks to Horses (1947) withJackie Butch Jenkins, an early work ofFred Zinnemann which was a big flop. He was reunited with Grayson inIt Happened in Brooklyn (1947), which also starredFrank Sinatra. Lawford received rave reviews for his work in the film,[27] while Sinatra's were lukewarm.[citation needed]
Lawford later admitted that the most terrifying experience of his career was the first musical number he performed in the musicalGood News (1947), the film he starred in alongside Allyson. He was lauded for the role in which he used an American accent.
He wasEsther Williams' leading man inOn an Island with You (1948) and supportedFred Astaire andJudy Garland inEaster Parade (1948), a huge hit, andGreer Garson andWalter Pidgeon inJulia Misbehaves (1948), also popular.
He played Laurie in MGM's version ofLittle Women (1949) alongside Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor. He was billed beneath Pidgeon andEthel Barrymore in the anti-CommunistThe Red Danube (1949) and was one ofDeborah Kerr's leading men inPlease Believe Me (1950).
He wasJane Powell's love interest inRoyal Wedding (1951) withFred Astaire and co-starred withJanet Leigh inJust This Once (1952), both popular.
20th Century Fox borrowed him forKangaroo (1952), a melodrama shot in Australia withMaureen O'Hara.[28] Reviewing this filmFilmink argued "Lawford is a wet fish actor who could never really hold the screen in a heroic part (he was generally better as a leading man for a female star, or a second lead to a more charismatic male star). But in Lawford’s defence, his character is totally emasculated inKangaroo" from what it was in the original script.[29]
Back at MGM he was top billed in some lower budgeted films:You for Me (1953), a comedy,The Hour of 13 (1953), a thriller, andRogue's March (1953), a war film.[30] The studio then let him go.[31]
Lawford's first film after Metro released him and several other players from their contracts was the comedyIt Should Happen to You (1954), wherein he starred alongsideJudy Holliday andJack Lemmon.
He focused on television, guest starring on shows likeGeneral Electric Theater,Schlitz Playhouse, andThe Ford Television Theatre.
In 1954, Lawford married Patricia Kennedy, sister of SenatorJohn F. Kennedy. Lawford would become an enthusiastic fundraiser for the Senator.[32]
Lawford had a regular role on a TV sitcom,Dear Phoebe (1954–55) but the show only ran 32 episodes.
When it ended he resumed guest starring on shows likeAlfred Hitchcock Presents,Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre,Screen Directors Playhouse,Schlitz Playhouse again,Playhouse 90,Producers' Showcase (a version ofRuggles of Red Gap), several episodes ofStudio 57,Climax! andGoodyear Theatre.
Lawford had another starring role on a TV series,The Thin Man (1957–59) withPhyllis Kirk, an NBC series from MGM based onthe novel byDashiell Hammett. It was more successful, running for 72 episodes.[33]
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In 1959, Sinatra invited Lawford to join the "Rat Pack" and also got him a role inNever So Few (1959).
Peter Lawford and Sinatra appeared inOceans 11 (1960). Lawford had been first told of the basic story of the film by director Gilbert Kay, who heard the idea from agas station attendant. Lawford eventually bought the rights in 1958, imaginingWilliam Holden in the lead.[34] Sinatra became interested in the idea, and a variety of writers worked on the project.[34][35]
Lawford played a British soldier in the acclaimed Israeli-set dramaExodus (1960) forOtto Preminger and had a cameo inPepe (1960). In 1960, he became a U.S. citizen and assisted on his brother-in-law's successful presidential election.[36]
He did a TV remake ofThe Farmer's Daughter (1962) withLee Remick and was reunited with the Rat Pack inSergeants 3 (1962).
Lawford played a Senator inAdvise & Consent (1962) for Preminger and wasLord Lovat inThe Longest Day (1962), a war film with a star-studded cast.
In 1961, Lawford and his managerMilt Ebbins formedChrislaw Productions, which was named after Peter's son Christopher.[37] It signed a three-year deal with United Artists to make three features and two TV series for $10 million.William Asher was to be executive producer. Their first project was to be a remake of the old silent filmThe Great Train Robbery.[38] Half a million dollars instead went toward the 1963 action filmJohnny Cool starringHenry Silva andElizabeth Montgomery.[39]
Lawford wasBette Davis's leading man inDead Ringer (1964) and guest starred onThe Alfred Hitchcock Hour,Profiles in Courage (asGeneral Alexander William Doniphan),Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre andRun for Your Life.
He went on to produce thePatty Duke filmBillie (1965) and had supporting roles in twoCarroll Baker movies, playing her fiancé both times:Sylvia (1965) andHarlow (1965).
By this time, Lawford had fallen out with Sinatra — who replaced him inRobin and the 7 Hoods (1964) with Bing Crosby — butSammy Davis Jr. remained loyal and got Lawford a supporting role inA Man Called Adam (1966). He played a washed-up film star inThe Oscar (1966). He and Patricia Kennedy divorced in 1966.[40]
He guest-starred on shows likeThe Wild Wild West andI Spy and was inHow I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967).
Lawford went to Europe to star inDead Run (1967) andThe Fourth Wall (1968).[41] He was a popular guest star on TV comedy and game shows.[42]
He produced a film starring himself and Davis,Salt and Pepper (1968), and had support roles inSkidoo (1968) for Preminger,Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968),Hook, Line & Sinker (1969) withJerry Lewis, andThe April Fools (1969).
Salt and Pepper was popular enough for Lawford to raise money for a sequel,One More Time (1970) directed by Lewis. He supported George Hamilton inTogetherness (1970) and guest-starred several times onRowan & Martin's Laugh-In. In 1971, he married Rowan's daughter Mary.[43]
Lawford's later films includedA Step Out of Line (1971),Clay Pigeon (1971), andThe Deadly Hunt (1971). He had the lead role inEllery Queen: Don't Look Behind You and guest starred onBewitched. In 1971 he appeared as Ben Hunter onThe Men From Shiloh (rebranded name forThe Virginian) in the episode titled "The Town Killer." He had a semi recurring role inThe Doris Day Show (1971–72) and even directed an episode.
He returned to MGM forThey Only Kill Their Masters (1972), which reunited him with former MGM contract playersJune Allyson andAnn Rutherford.[44]
Lawford was inThe Phantom of Hollywood (1974), the pilot forBorn Free,Rosebud (1975) for Preminger,Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976),Hawaii Five-O,Fantasy Island,The Love Boat,Angels' Brigade (1979),Highcliffe Manor,Supertrain,Mysterious Island of Beautiful Women (1979),Gypsy Angels (1980),Body and Soul (1981), and episodes ofThe Jeffersons.
His last role was as Montague Chippendale inWhere Is Parsifal? (1983).[22]
His first marriage, in 1954, was to socialitePatricia Kennedy, a younger sister ofJohn F. Kennedy, then a Democratic U.S. senator from Massachusetts. They had four children: a son, actor and authorChristopher Lawford (1955−2018), and daughters Sydney Maleia Lawford (b. 1956), Victoria Francis Lawford (b. 1958), and Robin Elizabeth Lawford (b. 1961).[45]
Lawford became a U.S. citizen on 23 April 1960, in time to vote for his brother-in-law in the upcomingpresidential election.[46] Lawford, along with other members of the "Rat Pack", helped campaign for Kennedy and theDemocratic Party.[47] Sinatra famously dubbed him "Brother-in-Lawford" at this time.[48][49] Lawford and Patricia Kennedy divorced in February 1966.[50][51]
Lawford was originally cast asAlan-a-Dale in the filmRobin and the 7 Hoods but was replaced byBing Crosby following a break in Frank Sinatra's relationship with Lawford. The break stemmed from a scheduled visit to Sinatra's home by Lawford's brother-in-law, President Kennedy, during a 1962 West Coast trip. Attorney GeneralRobert F. Kennedy, who had long been concerned about Sinatra's rumoured ties with underworld figures, encouraged the president to change his plans and stay at Crosby's home, which (it was maintained) could provide better security for the president. The change came at the last minute, after Sinatra had made extensive arrangements for the promised and eagerly awaited presidential visit, including the construction of ahelipad, which he later destroyed in a fit of rage. Sinatra was furious, believing that Lawford had failed to intercede with the Kennedys on his behalf, and banished him from theRat Pack.[52]
Sinatra and Lawford's friendship was over. They only spoke when Sinatra called after his sonFrank Sinatra Jr. was kidnapped on 8 December 1963 and needed the help of Lawford's brother-in-lawRobert F. Kennedy, then attorney general. With the exception ofPat Brown in his unsuccessful re-election asgovernor of California in 1966 and Vice PresidentHubert H. Humphrey's run for the presidency in the1968 United States presidential election, Sinatra never endorsed anotherDemocratic candidate. Crosby, a staunch Republican, was cast in Lawford's role.[53]
Lawford married his second wife, Mary Rowan, daughter of comedianDan Rowan, in October 1971.[54] Rowan and Lawford separated two years later and divorced in January 1975.
Between marriages, Lawford datedJill St. John andPriscilla Presley.[55][56]
In June 1976 he married aspiring actress Deborah Gould, whom he had known for three weeks.[57] Lawford and Gould separated two months after marrying and divorced in 1977. Following the divorce, Lawford moved into theSierra Towers where he lived for the next few years on the 30th floor. During his separation from Gould, Lawford met Patricia Seaton who became his fourth and final wife in July 1984, just months before his death.[58]
Lawford died atCedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve 1984, aged 61, from cardiac arrest. He suffered from kidney failure and liver failure after years of substance abuse.[59] His body was cremated, and his ashes were interred atWestwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.[60] Owing to a dispute between his widow and the cemetery, Lawford's ashes were removed from the cemetery in 1988 and scattered into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California by his widow Patricia Seaton Lawford, who invited theNational Enquirer tabloid to photograph the event.[61]
For his contribution to the television industry, Peter Lawford has a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame located at 6920 Hollywood Boulevard.[62]
A plaque bearing Lawford's name was erected at Westwood Village Memorial Park.[citation needed]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Poor Old Bill | Horace | |
| 1931 | A Gentleman of Paris | Child | uncredited |
| 1938 | Lord Jeff | Benny Potter | |
| 1942 | Mrs. Miniver | Pilot | uncredited |
| 1942 | Eagle Squadron | Pilot | |
| 1942 | A Yank at Eton | Ronnie Kenvil | |
| 1942 | Thunder Birds | English Cadet | uncredited alternative title:Soldiers of the Air |
| 1942 | Junior Army | Cadet Wilbur | |
| 1942 | Random Harvest | Soldier | uncredited |
| 1943 | Immortal Sergeant | Soldier | uncredited |
| 1943 | London Blackout Murders | Percy, Soldier on Train | uncredited |
| 1943 | Assignment in Brittany | Navigator | uncredited |
| 1943 | The Purple V | Roger | |
| 1943 | Flesh and Fantasy | Pierrot (Episode 1) | uncredited |
| 1943 | Above Suspicion | Student | uncredited |
| 1943 | Pilot No. 5 | British Soldier | uncredited |
| 1943 | The Sky's the Limit | Naval Commander | uncredited |
| 1943 | The Man from Down Under | Mr. Jones | uncredited |
| 1943 | Someone to Remember | Joe Downes | alternative title:Gallant Thoroughbred |
| 1943 | The West Side Kid | Jerry Winston | |
| 1943 | Sahara | British soldier | uncredited |
| 1943 | Sherlock Holmes Faces Death | Young Sailor at Bar | uncredited |
| 1943 | Corvette K-225 | Naval Officer | uncredited |
| 1943 | Paris After Dark | Frenchman | uncredited |
| 1943 | Girl Crazy | Student | uncredited |
| 1944 | The Adventures of Mark Twain | Young Oxford Celebrant | uncredited |
| 1944 | The White Cliffs of Dover | John Ashwood II as a Young Man | |
| 1944 | The Canterville Ghost | Anthony de Canterville | |
| 1944 | Mrs. Parkington | Lord Thornley | |
| 1945 | The Picture of Dorian Gray | David Stone | |
| 1945 | Son of Lassie | Joe Carraclough | |
| 1945 | Ziegfeld Follies | Porky in "Number Please" | voice, uncredited |
| 1945 | Perfect Strangers | Introduction – USA Version | uncredited alternative title:Vacation from Marriage |
| 1946 | Two Sisters from Boston | Lawrence Tyburn Patterson Jr. | |
| 1946 | Cluny Brown | Andrew Carmel | |
| 1947 | My Brother Talks to Horses | John S. Penrose | |
| 1947 | It Happened in Brooklyn | Jamie Shellgrove | |
| 1947 | Good News | Tommy Marlowe | |
| 1948 | On an Island with You | Lieutenant Lawrence Y. Kingslee | |
| 1948 | Easter Parade | Jonathan Harrow III | |
| 1948 | Julia Misbehaves | Ritchie Lorgan | |
| 1949 | Little Women | Theodore "Laurie" Laurence | |
| 1949 | The Red Danube | Major John "Twingo" McPhimister | |
| 1950 | Please Believe Me | Jeremy Taylor | |
| 1951 | Royal Wedding | Lord John Brindale | alternative title:Wedding Bells |
| 1952 | Just This Once | Mark MacLene IV | |
| 1952 | Kangaroo | Richard Connor | alternative title:The Australian Story |
| 1952 | You for Me | Tony Brown | |
| 1952 | The Hour of 13 | Nicholas Revel | |
| 1953 | Rogue's March | Captain Dion Lenbridge / Private Harry Simms | |
| 1954 | It Should Happen to You | Evan Adams III | |
| 1956 | Sincerely, Willis Wayde | Willis Wayde | |
| 1959 | Never So Few | Captain Grey Travis | alternative title:Campaign Burma |
| 1960 | Ocean's 11 | Jimmy Foster | |
| 1960 | Exodus | Major Caldwell | |
| 1960 | Pepe | Himself | |
| 1962 | Sergeants 3 | Sergeant Larry Barrett | |
| 1962 | Advise & Consent | Senator Lafe Smith | |
| 1962 | The Longest Day | Brigadier Lord Lovat | |
| 1963 | Johnny Cool | – | executive producer |
| 1964 | Dead Ringer | Tony Collins | alternative title:Dead Image |
| 1965 | Sylvia | Frederic Summers | |
| 1965 | Harlow | Paul Bern | |
| 1965 | Billie | – | executive producer |
| 1966 | The Oscar | Steve Marks | |
| 1966 | A Man Called Adam | Manny | |
| 1967 | Dead Run | Stephen Daine | alternative titles:Deux Billets pour Mexico,Geheimnisse in goldenen Nylons,Segreti che scottano |
| 1968 | Walls Of Sin | Papá Baroni | alternative titles:Quarta parete,La Limite du péché |
| 1968 | Salt and Pepper | Christopher Pepper | executive producer |
| 1968 | Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell | Justin Young | |
| 1968 | Skidoo | Senator Humble | |
| 1969 | Hook, Line & Sinker | Dr. Scott Carter | |
| 1969 | The April Fools | Ted Gunther | |
| 1970 | One More Time | Christopher Pepper / Lord Sydney Pepper | executive producer |
| 1970 | Togetherness | Prince Solomon Justiani | |
| 1971 | Clay Pigeon | Government Agent | Alternative title:Trip to Kill |
| 1972 | They Only Kill Their Masters | Lee Campbell | |
| 1974 | That's Entertainment! | Himself, Co-Host | |
| 1975 | Rosebud | Lord Carter | |
| 1976 | Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood | Slapstick Star | |
| 1979 | Angels Revenge | Burke | alternative title:Angels' Brigade Seven from Heaven |
| 1980 | Gypsy Angels | ||
| 1981 | Body and Soul | Big Man | |
| 1983 | Where Is Parsifal? | Montague Chippendale | final film role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | General Electric Theater | John | episode: "Woman's World" |
| 1953–1954 | The Ford Television Theatre | Various roles | 3 episodes |
| 1954–1955 | Dear Phoebe | Bill Hastings | 32 episodes |
| 1954–1957 | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars | Various roles | 3 episodes |
| 1955 | The Jane Wyman Show | Stephen | episode: "Stephen and Publius Cyrus" |
| 1955 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Charles 'Charlie' Ffolliot Raymond | Season 1 Episode 9: "The Long Shot" |
| 1955 | Screen Directors Playhouse | Tom Macy | episode: "Tom and Jerry" |
| 1956 | Playhouse 90 | Willis Wayde | episode: "Sincerely, Willis Wade" |
| 1956–1957 | Studio 57 | Various roles | 2 episodes |
| 1957 | Producers' Showcase | Lord Brinstead | episode: "Ruggles of Red Gap" |
| 1957 | Climax! | Tom Welles | episode: "Bait for the Tiger" |
| 1957–1959 | The Thin Man | Nick Charles | 72 episodes |
| 1958 | The Bob Cummings Show | Himself | episode: "Bob Judges a Beauty Pageant" |
| 1959 | Goodyear Theatre | Major John Marshall | episode: "Point of Impact" |
| 1961 | The Jack Benny Program | Lord Milbeck | episode: "English Sketch" |
| 1962 | Theatre '62 | Glen Morley | episode: "The Farmer's Daughter" |
| 1965 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Ernest 'Ernie' Mullett | Season 3 Episode 12: "Crimson Witness" |
| 1965 | Profiles in Courage | General Alexander William Doniphan | episode: "General Alexander William Doniphan" |
| 1965 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Lieutenant Philip Cannon | episode: "March From Camp Tyler" |
| 1966 | Run for Your Life | Larry Carter | episode: "Carnival Ends at Midnight" |
| 1966 | The Wild Wild West | Carl Jackson | episode: "The Night of The Returning Dead" |
| 1967 | How I Spent My Summer Vacation | Ned Pine | television movie |
| 1967 | I Spy | Hackaby | episode: "Get Thee to a Nunnery" |
| 1968 | The Carol Burnett Show | Self | Episode: "Peter Lawford and Minnie Pearl" |
| 1971 | A Step Out of Line | Art Stoyer | television movie |
| 1971 | The Virginian | Ben Hunter | episode: "The Town Killer" |
| 1971 | Ellery Queen: Don't Look Behind You | Ellery Queen | television movie |
| 1971–1973 | The Doris Day Show | Dr. Peter Lawrence | 8 episodes |
| 1972 | Bewitched | Harrison Woolcott | episode: "Serena's Richcraft" |
| 1974 | The Phantom of Hollywood | Roger Cross | television movie |
| 1974 | Born Free | John Forbes | episode: Pilot |
| 1977–1982 | Fantasy Island | Various roles | 4 episodes |
| 1978 | Hawaii Five-O | Kenneth Kirk | episode: "Frozen Assets" |
| 1979 | The Love Boat | Teddy Smith | episode: "Murder on the High Seas/Sounds of Silence/Cyrano de Bricker" |
| 1979 | Highcliffe Manor | The Narrator | 6 episodes |
| 1979 | Supertrain | Quentin Fuller | episode: "A Very Formal Heist" |
| 1979 | Mysterious Island of Beautiful Women | Gordon Duvall | television movie |
| 1981 | The Jeffersons | Museum Guide (Voice) | episode: "The House That George Built" |
| Year | Program | Episode/source |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Lux Radio Theatre | Green Dolphin Street[63] |
| 1953 | Suspense | The Moonstone[64] |
