Donald Provost Dillaway(March 17, 1903 – November 18, 1982) was an American stage and film actor.

Don Dillaway
Dillaway inYoung as You Feel(1931)
Born
Donald Provost Dillaway

(1903-03-17)March 17, 1903
DiedNovember 18, 1982(1982-11-18)(aged 79)
Resting placePierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park,Westlake Village, California
OccupationActor
Years active1929–1967

Early years

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Dillaway's mother, billed as Nettie Gordon, sang in vaudeville. Because she and his father insisted on a professional career for him, he studied law in Buffalo. He disliked that profession so much, however, that he moved to New York. Eventually his parents accepted his preference for entertaining and encouraged him in that career.[1]

Career

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Dillaway had numerous appearances on Broadway. His Broadway debut came inThe Backslapper(1925).[2]

In 1927, Dillaway was one of seven actors who were found guilty in New York City of participating in the production of an obscene play,The Virgin Man.They received suspended sentences, and three producers of the play were fined $250 each and sentenced to 10 days in the workhouse.[3]

In 1928, Dillaway acted with the Lakewood Players.[4]He also acted with Otis Skinner inPapa Juanfor two seasons.[5]

Dillaway's film debut came inMeet the Widow(1930).[5]He had supporting roles in several films of the 1930s, includingPack Up Your Troublesin 1932, the second feature film fromLaurel and Hardy.His roles became gradually smaller in the 1940s and 1950s, usually uncredited bit parts.

His numerous TV appearances includeMaverick,Bonanza,Perry Mason,The Munsters,Run for Your Life,andThe Big Valley.His final role before retiring in 1967 was inThe Wild Wild West.

After he left acting, Dillaway worked as head of RKO's New Talent Department, and he was an agent for actors. Later he had his own real estate agency.[6]

Death

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He died inWestlake Village, Californiaat age 79. He was buried inPierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park,Westlake Village, California.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Richard Bennett,Joseph Cotten,Dolores Costello,Don Dillaway,Agnes MooreheadandRay CollinsinThe Magnificent Ambersons(1942)

References

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  1. ^"Young Actor Studied Law".Los Angeles Times.June 14, 1931. p. 49.RetrievedOctober 15,2022– viaNewspapers.
  2. ^"(" Donald Dillaway "search results)".Internet Broadway Database.The Broadway League. Archived fromthe originalon January 3, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 3,2018.
  3. ^"Cast of" Virgin Man "Found Guilty And Fined".Dunkirk Evening Observer.New York, Dunkirk. United Press. March 28, 1927. p. 15.RetrievedJanuary 2,2018– viaNewspapers.
  4. ^"Buddies is big success".Morning Sentinel.Maine, Waterville. June 21, 1928. p. 8.RetrievedOctober 15,2022– viaNewspapers.
  5. ^ab"Makes film debut".News-Journal.Ohio, Mansfield. September 18, 1930. p. 15.RetrievedOctober 15,2022– viaNewspapers.
  6. ^Hutton, Ed (June 5, 1953)."Here and There".Valley Times.California, North Hollywood. p. 5.RetrievedOctober 15,2022– viaNewspapers.
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