Donald Leifert

Donald L. Leifert Jr. (February 27, 1951 – October 23, 2010) was an American sci fi/horror film actor, writer, teacher, and film historian.[1][2][3]

Early life

Leifert was born on February 27, 1951, to Dolores J. and Donald L. Leifert, Sr., and had a sister, Cheryl J. Young.[3][4][5] He later served in the Vietnam War.[6]

Film career

Leifert, a professionally trained actor, worked with Baltimore filmmaker Don Dohler, a former journalist, on science fiction/horror films including Galaxy Invader,[4] Nightbeast,[7][8] and The Alien Factor.[9][10][11] He also played Eric Longfellow in the 1980 film Fiend[12] and Longfellow again in the 1992 film Deadly Neighbor.[13] Leifert, called a "Baltimore horror maven" by Michael Sragow, appeared in several films for Dohler, did the costumes for Galaxy Invader, and was quoted as saying, "if you watch the films [I was in] carefully, they're really saved in the editing room. He would sit and chain-smoke cigarettes and work at that editing machine for months and months and months—no one would see or hear from him."[2][14]

Later years

Not wanting to resume his acting career, Leifert launched a "literate film appreciation magazine" named Movie Club with Dohler in 1993, where he managed the editorial side and Dohler the business side, commenting the following year that "it's fun to write about these films, because they're fun films."[14][2] He earned a law degree and taught at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology (also called the Carver School for the Arts) before leaving in 2000 to teach at Towson High School in Baltimore, Maryland.[4][5] His role in Crawler in 2004, as Zachary, was his last acting role on screen.[15] He also appeared in Blood, Boobs and Beast, a 2006 documentary on the career of Dohler.[4]

Leifert became an English and theater arts teacher at Towson and authored the autobiography Riggie: A Journey from 5th Street.[16][17] He also directed stage shows at Towson, including the play Approaching Zanzibar in 2005[4] and Bye Bye Birdie for the spring musical in 2007.[18]

Personal life

Leifert had a daughter, Elizabeth. He died in his sleep on October 23, 2010, after having a heart attack.[5][3][4] His memorial service was held at Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium, Maryland, and a memorial scholarship fund was set up in his name.[4][5]

Filmography

References
  1. Willis, Donald C. (1984). Horror and Science Fiction Films III - Volume 3. Scarecrow Press. p. 99. ISBN 0-8108-1723-3.
  2. Yockel, David (November 18, 2015). "Fast, Cheap & Out of this World: The Blood-Splattered Bargain Basement Cinema Empire of Don Dohler". Baltimore City Paper. Archived from the original on February 18, 2005. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  3. "Don Leifert". BFI. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  4. Huebeck, Elizabeth (October 26, 2010). "Towson High Students, Faculty Remember Beloved Teacher". Patch. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  5. "Baltimore Sun obituary". The Baltimore Sun. October 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  6. "Towson High students to attend special theatrical event in observance of Veterans Day". Baltimore County Public Schools. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010..
  7. Young, R.G. (1984). The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies. Applause. p. 443. ISBN 1-55783-269-2.
  8. Albright, Brian (2012). Regional Horror Films, 1958-1990: A State-by-State Guide with Interviews. McFarland & Company. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-7864-7227-7.
  9. "TCM: The Alien Factor". Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  10. "Killer Creature Features: 50 Movie MegaPack DVD". TCM. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  11. "Made in Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. November 1, 2006. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  12. Galbraith IV, Stuart (December 25, 2005). "The Alien Factor / Fiend: The Don Dohler Collection". Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  13. "R.I.P. Don Leifert (1950-2010)". Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  14. "Baltimore horror mavens: LaMartina, the late Don Leifert". The Baltimore Sun. October 27, 2010. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  15. "CRAWLER – In Progress". Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  16. "Scared Stiff Says Goodbye to Don Leifert". 2011. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  17. "Local History". Baltimore County Public Library. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  18. Klingaman, Mike (March 31, 2007). "Towson High proud to have its own star in Phelps". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
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