Don Matheson

Don Matheson (August 5, 1929 – June 29, 2014) was an American soldier and policeman who later became a television actor, perhaps best known for his continuing role in Irwin Allen's series Land of the Giants.

Don Matheson
Matheson in Land of the Giants.
Born(1929-08-05)August 5, 1929
Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJune 29, 2014(2014-06-29) (aged 84)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Deanna Lund
Maxine Arnold
Children1 (Michele Matheson)

Career

Prior to entering acting, Matheson served in the military. While serving in Korea, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valorous leadership and a Purple Heart[1] for injuries suffered in an explosion.[2]

After serving in the military for six years, he joined the Detroit Police Department. He then left law enforcement to begin a career in acting. In 1965 Matheson appeared in the Lost in Space episode, "The Sky Is Falling" in the non-speaking role of the alien Retho and then again in 1967 as IDAK Alpha 12 in the episode "Revolt of the Androids". The same year, he appeared as a guest star in the episode "Deadly Amphibians" on the sci-fi TV show's 4th season Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.

After working in a number of plays, television episodes and commercials, Matheson was signed to join the cast of the Land of the Giants. In 1976, he played the role of wealthy industrialist, Cameron Faulker, who married Lesley Williams (Denise Alexander) on General Hospital. In 1984, Matheson had a regular role in Falcon Crest. He played Richard Channing's henchman for a season. He also appeared briefly in Dynasty.[3]

Personal life

Matheson married co-star Deanna Lund in 1970, but they were divorced in the late-1970s. Their daughter, Michele Matheson, is an actress and novelist. Matheson was later married to actress Maxine Arnold.[1] He died on June 29, 2014, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles from lung cancer, aged 84.[4]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1975 Murph the Surf Hauser
1990 Dragonfight Dartois
1993 Younger and Younger Max

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1962 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Jack Pierson Season 1 Episode 5: "Captive Audience"
1962 McHale's Navy Lt. Harris Episode: "Operation Wedding Party"
1963 The Gallant Men Soldier M.C. Episode: "Tommy"
1965, 1967 Lost in Space IDAK Alpha 12 / Rethso 2 episodes
1967 Death Valley Days William Clark Episode: "The Girl Who Walked the West"
1967 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Proto Episode: "Deadly Amphibians"
1968–1970 Land of the Giants Mark Wilson 51 episodes
1972 Emergency! Joseph Remson Episode: "Crash"
1973 Shaft Paul Hanson Episode: "Hit-Run"
1974 Apple's Way First Tree Cutter Episode: "The Tree"
1974–1979 The Waltons Sargeant Barnes / Coach 3 episodes
1974 General Hospital Cameron Faulkner Episode dated 30 October 1974
1975 The Runaways Haines Television film
1976 The Quest Sam Grant Episode: "Day of Outrage"
1977 Bravo Two Mr. Morgan Television film
1977–1981 Eight Is Enough Ross / Robert Decker 4 episodes
1981, 1987 Dynasty Commander / Frank Carter 2 episodes
1982 A New Day in Eden Lockhart Episode #1.1
1984 Falcon Crest Mr. Padgett 10 episodes
1985 Murder, She Wrote Chief Steward / Oklahoma Cowboy 2 episodes
1985 Alice in Wonderland The Red Knight Miniseries
1986 Hill Street Blues D.A. Episode: "Remembrance of Hits Past"
1986 Magnum, P.I. Paul Mayfield Episode: "Novel Connection"
1987 Six Against the Rock Gen. Merrill Television film
1988 Days of Our Lives Judge Robert Novak Episode #1.5656
1988 Santa Barbara Frank Larson 3 episodes
1991 The New Lassie Capt. Kelner Episode: "The Stranger"
1992 Somebody's Daughter Wilkie Television film
1999 7th Heaven Ron Episode: "Nobody Knows..."

References
  1. Wagner, Joyce (August 30, 1968). "Runaway at 15 Lands Role In a Prime-Time Series". The Kansas City Times. The Kansas City Times. p. 35. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. Barnes, Mike (2014-07-07). "Don Matheson, Star of ABC's 'Land of the Giants,' Dies at 84". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  3. Don Matheson at IMDb
  4. "Don Matheson, Star of ABC's 'Land of the Giants,' Dies at 84". Hollywoodreporter.com. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.