Don Marshall (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Marshall
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Marshall in Land of the Giants.
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Donald James Marshall
May 2, 1936 San Diego, California, U.S.
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| Died | October 30, 2016 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Los Angeles City College |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1962–2016 |
| Known for | Dan Erickson (Land of the Giants) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) |
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| Relatives | Leola Williams (maternal grandmother) |
| Family | Douglas Marshall (twin brother) |
Donald James Marshall (born May 2, 1936 – died October 30, 2016) was an American actor. He was best known for playing Dan Erickson in the TV show Land of the Giants.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Acting
Don Marshall was born in San Diego, California, on May 2, 1936. He grew up with his parents, grandmother, two older sisters, and his twin brother, Douglas. He finished high school in San Diego in 1954.
While studying engineering and serving in the army, a friend suggested he try acting. Don then began studying acting at a workshop. He also took theater arts classes at Los Angeles City College. He was a talented athlete there, competing in pole vaulting for the track team.
Acting Career
Starting Out in the 1960s
Don Marshall's first acting job was a small, uncredited role in the 1962 film The Interns. In 1964, he appeared in a TV movie called "Great Gettin' Up Mornin'". In this show, he played Chris Logan, alongside actress Nichelle Nichols. They also worked together in another TV series, The Lieutenant.
Later in the 1960s, Don appeared in many popular TV shows. He was in Star Trek as Lieutenant Boma in the episode "The Galileo Seven" (1967). He also had roles in Tarzan, Dragnet 1967, and Ironside. From 1968, he played Ted Neumann in the TV series Julia. His character was the love interest of Julia Baker, a Black widow raising her son.
Becoming a Giant in Land of the Giants
Don Marshall's most famous role was Dan Erickson in the science fiction series Land of the Giants. He met the show's creator, Irwin Allen, which helped him get the part. The show was special because Don played a skilled Black character in a main role. This was a big step for African-American actors in science fiction during the 1960s. Other pioneering actors at that time included Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek and Greg Morris from Mission: Impossible.
The actors on Land of the Giants often did their own stunts. Don's athletic background, from playing football and pole vaulting, was very helpful. He once dislocated his shoulder while diving over a fire for a scene! Don also enjoyed an episode called "Giants and All That Jazz". In it, he taught former boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson how to play the trumpet. Don felt that acting was more enjoyable when he could focus on his character rather than just lines.
Years later, Don wrote a script for a movie sequel to the series. He hoped it would be called Escape from a Giant Land. He wanted to bring back as many of the original actors as possible for the film.
Roles in the 1970s and Beyond
In the 1970s, Don Marshall continued to act. He was in the TV movie The Reluctant Heroes (1971), a war film. He also appeared in the science fiction film The Thing with Two Heads (1972). This movie was about a head transplant. In 1974, he was in the action-comedy film Uptown Saturday Night. He also had roles in TV shows like The Bionic Woman (1976) and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979). From 1978 to 1980, he was in three episodes of The Incredible Hulk.
In the 1980s, Don had fewer acting roles. He appeared in Little House on the Prairie as Caleb Ledoux. He also played Doctor Jim Blair in Finder of Lost Loves and Senator Ed Lawrence in Capitol. Don was very proud of his work on Little House on the Prairie. His last film role was in the 1992 TV movie Highway Heartbreaker. In 2011, he appeared in Pioneers of Television using old footage from his 1964 role in The Lieutenant.
After retiring from acting, Don Marshall started his own company, DJM Productions, Inc. His company made TV commercials and documentary films. He was also very popular with Star Trek fans and often attended Star Trek conventions.
Personal Life and Passing
Don Marshall had one daughter and one son. He often shared his knowledge about his work and about racial issues. He received an award for "Outstanding Achievement in his field as a Black Achiever in the United States."
Don Marshall passed away on October 30, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Images for kids
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Marshall in Land of the Giants.
