Michael Dante(bornRalph Vitti,September 2, 1931) is an American actor and former professional minor league baseball player.
Michael Dante | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ralph Vitti September 2, 1931 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Spouse | Mary Jane Dante |
Early life
editDante was born Ralph Vitti inStamford, Connecticuton September 2, 1931.[1]Growing up, he would sneak into a local movie theater with his friends to watchWesterns.[2]"I grew up wanting to be the sidekick ofThe Lone Rangerand wanting to follow my heroes ", Dante told a reporter in 2006.[2]
He was a shortstop on theStamford High Schoolbaseball team, then played for "TheAdvocateAll-Stars "team which won a 1949 New England baseball championship. After graduating from high school, as Ralph Vitti signed a bonus contract with theBoston Braves.He used his $6,000 bonus to buy his family a four-doorBuickwith whitewalls.[2]
Career
editDuring spring training with the formerWashington Senators,Dante took drama classes at theUniversity of Miami.BandleaderTommy Dorseyarranged a screen test for him atMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer.His first film,Somebody Up There Likes Me,was released in 1956. He changed his name at the urging of studio BossJack L. Warner,who thought "Vitti" would not fit well on theater marquees. Warner suggested some first names, from which the actor picked "Michael". He chose the last name "Dante" as it had belonged to some relatives.[2]
Dante has appeared in 30 films and 150 television shows.[2]He spent seven years in supporting roles under contract to three major studios at once: MGM,Warner BrothersandTwentieth Century Fox.He considers his best performances the role that he played inKiller Instincton theCBStelevision seriesDesilu Playhouse,along with his roles in the moviesWestbound(1959),Seven Thieves(1960) andWinterhawk(1975).[2]
Other film credits includeFort Dobbs(1958),Kid Galahad(1962),Operation Bikini(1963),The Naked Kiss(1964),Apache Rifles(1964),Harlow(1965),Arizona Raiders(1965),Willard(1971),That's the Way of the World(1975),The Farmer(1977),Missile X: The Neutron Bomb Incident(1978),Beyond Evil(1980),Return from the River Kwai(1989), andCage(1989).
Dante appeared on a fewABC/Warner Brothersseries, including theWesternsColt.45.OnMaverick,he portrayed the killer Turk Mason in the 1957 episode "The Third Rider", withJack Kelly.He appeared onBourbon Street Beat,Rescue 8,and in three episodes of CBS'sThe Texan.
Dante made two guest appearances onPerry MasonstarringRaymond Burr.In 1959, he played Arthur Manning in "The Case of the Dangerous Dowager", and, in 1965, he played murder victim Douglas Kelland in "The Case of the Feather Cloak."
He appeared onStar Trektelevision series in the role of "Maab" in the 1967 episode, "Friday's Child"alongsideJulie Newmar.Dante has appeared atStar Trekconventions.[2]
In 1969, he played Clay Squires, a bitter young half-breed man, in the episode "Long Night at Fort Lonely" on the syndicatedDeath Valley Days,withRobert Taylor (actor)as Ben Cotterman andJune Daytonas Cotterman's wife, Rachel[3]and in 1972 he played a harried TV commercial director inMy Three Sons.In 1974, he played Julio Tucelli inThe Six Million Dollar Manepisode, "Dr. Wells Is Missing". Dante had recurring roles on the television serialsDays of Our LivesandGeneral Hospital.
In the 1970s, Dante metJohn Wayne,whom he watched on screen as a child. Wayne had seen Dante inWinterhawkand asked him to co-host a charity event inNewport Beach,California. That started a friendship between the two actors, and they co-hosted other events until Wayne's death in 1979.[2]
Michael Dante hosted his ownsyndicatedradio talk show,from 1995 to 2007, calledOn Deckand previously known as theMichael Dante Celebrity Talk Show.His program guests includedMilton Berle,Tony Curtis,Ron Ely,Bryant Gumbel,Stack Pierce,Connie StevensandStella Stevens.[2][4]An avid golfer, he once hosted the annual Michael Dante Celebrity Golf Tournament, a charitable fund-raiser held annually inPalm Springs, California,beginning in 1991.
In 2006, Dante told an interviewer that he had written a script for a sequel toWinterhawkand was trying to get funding for the projected movie.[2]
Awards
edit- The Silver Spur Award (called the "Golden Globe of the Western film and television genre" )[2]presented by Reel Cowboys
- TheGolden Boot Award( "the Oscar of Westerns" )[2]
- Southern California Motion Picture Council Award for the 'Best of the Best' in the Motion Picture Industry[5]
- Wall of Fame Honoree – Stamford High School – Stamford, Connecticut[citation needed]
- Spirit of the West Award by Wild West Gazette/Bison Western Museum[citation needed]
- Palm Springs Film Festival Award for the Sammy Fuller classic filmThe Naked Kiss[citation needed]
- 1994 – Golden Palm Star on theWalk of Stars[6]
- Apacheland Days,Apache Junction, Arizona– Guest of Honor – Western boot prints in cement – Superstition Mountain Museum[7]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Somebody Up There Likes Me | Shorty the Greek | (uncredited) |
| 1957 | Jeanne Eagels | Sgt. O'Hara in 'Rain' | (uncredited) |
| 1958 | Fort Dobbs | Billings | |
| 1958 | Born Reckless | Cowboy Dancing with Jackie | (uncredited) |
| 1959 | Westbound | Rod Miller | |
| 1960 | Seven Thieves | Louis Antonizz | |
| 1962 | Kid Galahad | Joie Shakes | |
| 1963 | Operation Bikini | Lt. William 'Bill' Fourtney | |
| 1964 | The Naked Kiss | Grant | |
| 1964 | Apache Rifles | Red Hawk | |
| 1965 | Harlow | Ed | |
| 1965 | Arizona Raiders | Brady | |
| 1971 | Willard | Brandt | |
| 1973 | Thirty Dangerous Seconds | Timothy Sills | |
| 1975 | That's the Way of the World | Mike Lemongello | |
| 1975 | Winterhawk | Winterhawk | |
| 1977 | The Farmer | Johnny O. | |
| 1979 | Missile X: The Neutron Bomb Incident | Konstanine Senyonov | |
| 1980 | Beyond Evil | Del Giorgio | |
| 1983 | The Big Score | Goldy | |
| 1986 | The Messenger | Emerson | |
| 1989 | Return from the River Kwai | Commander Davidson | |
| 1989 | Cage | Tony Baccola | |
| 2020 | Unbelievable!!!!! | Michael Dante |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957-1958 | Sugarfoot | Mike Wilson / Walt Lane / Ken Brazwell | 3 episodes |
| 1957-1958 | Colt.45 | Ab Saunders / Davey Bryant | 2 episodes |
| 1957-1958 | Cheyenne | Billy Bob / Whitey / Lt. Dowd /... | 4 episodes |
| 1958 | Tales of the Texas Rangers | Alfredo | Episode: "Edge of Danger" |
| 1958 | Rescue 8 | Mickey | Episode: "The Steel Mountain" |
| 1959 | Lawman | Jack McCall | Episode: "The Captives" |
| 1959 | The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin | Ramon Estrada | Episode: "The Matador" |
| 1957-1959 | Maverick | Joe / Turk Mason / Sam Harris | 3 Episodes |
| 1959 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse | Angel | Episode: "The Killer Instinct" |
| 1959 | The Texan | Steve Chambers | 4 episodes |
| 1960 | Bourbon Street Beat | Gunner Doyle | Episode: "Inside Man" |
| 1960 | General Electric Theater | Holofernes | Episode: "The Story of Judith" |
| 1961 | Checkmate | Trumpet Player | Episode: "Voyage Into Fear" |
| 1961 | The Detectives | Joe Rano | Episode: "The Champ" |
| 1961 | Cain's Hundred | Danny Speckter | Episode: "Final Judgment: Alexander Marish" |
| 1962 | 87th Precinct | Larry Brooks | Episode: "Idol in the Dust" |
| 1963 | Hawaiian Eye | Harry Larcombe | Episode: "Go Steady with Danger" |
| 1959-1965 | Perry Mason | Douglas Kelland / Arthur Manning | 2 Episodes |
| 1965 | Bonanza | Miguel Ortega | Episode: "The Brass Box" |
| 1965 | Days of Our Lives | Barney Jannings | (1984) |
| 1966 | Get Smart | Savage | Episode: "Kisses for KAOS" |
| 1967 | Star Trek: The Original Series | Maab | Episode: "Friday's Child" |
| 1967 | Custer | Crazy Horse | 16 Episodes |
| 1968 | The Big Valley | Francisco | Episode: "Deathtown" |
| 1959-1969 | Death Valley Days | Clay Squires / Capt. Richard Rocha | 2 Episodes |
| 1969 | Daniel Boone | Akari | Episode: "For a Few Rifles" |
| 1972 | My Three Sons | Perry Perigrine | Episode: "TV Triplets" |
| 1974 | The Six Million Dollar Man | Julio Tucelli | Episode: "Dr. Wells Is Missing" |
| 1980 | The Magical World of Disney | Ross | Episode: "The Kids Who Knew Too Much" |
| 1980 | The Kids Who Knew Too Much | Ross | TV movie |
| 1982 | Knots Landing | Captain Alving | Episode: "Night" |
| 1983-1984 | The Fall Guy | Oscar Fields / Tommy | 2 Episodes |
| 1986 | Simon & Simon | Mr. Tobias | Episode: "Tonsillitis" |
| 1987 | Cagney & Lacey | Paul Bennet | Episode: "Right to Remain Silent" |
| 2018 | Find Your Future Reality | Michael Dante |
References
edit- ^Aaker, Everett (8 June 2017).Television Western Players, 1960–1975: A Biographical Dictionary.McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 115.ISBN9781476662503.Retrieved26 January2024.
- ^abcdefghijklLee, Natasha, "A reel cowboy: Actor doesn't forget Stamford roots", article inThe Advocateof Stamford, October 22, 2006, page 1
- ^"Death Valley Days".TVGuide.Retrieved2024-06-18.
- ^Michaeldanteway -Radio Show Guest List
- ^Crier, Idyllwild Town (2015-07-15)."Michael Dante brings Hollywood to Idyllwild • Idyllwild Town Crier".Retrieved2024-06-18.
- ^Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicatedArchivedOctober 13, 2012, at theWayback Machine
- ^Times, Cherokee Mangus, Special to Peoria (2013-06-13)."Ron Nix film to show at Jerome film festival".Peoriatimes.Retrieved2024-06-18.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
edit- Official website
- Michael Dantediscography atDiscogs
- Michael DanteatIMDb
- Michael Danteat theTCM Movie Database
