Don Taylor (American filmmaker) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Don Taylor
Don Taylor in Father's Little Dividend (1951)
Born	Donald Ritchie Taylor (1920-12-13)December 13, 1920 Freeport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	December 29, 1998(1998-12-29) (aged 78) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor and film director
Years active	1943–88
Spouse(s)	Phyllis Avery ​ ​ (m. 1944; div. 1955)​ Hazel Court ​ (m. 1964)​
Children	4

Don Taylor (born Donald Ritchie Taylor; December 13, 1920 – December 29, 1998) was an American actor and film director. He was known for acting in popular movies from the 1940s and 1950s. Some of these include The Naked City, Battleground, Father of the Bride, and Stalag 17.

Later in his career, Don Taylor became a director. He directed films like Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Tom Sawyer (1973), and Damien - Omen II (1978).

Don Taylor's Life and Career

Early Life and Start in Hollywood

Don Taylor was born in Freeport, Pennsylvania, on December 13, 1920. He studied speech and drama at Penn State University. In 1942, he traveled to Hollywood to start his acting career.

He soon signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a big movie studio. During World War II, he joined the United States Army Air Forces. He even appeared in a play and movie called Winged Victory while serving.

Acting Roles in Classic Films

After the war, Don Taylor got a main role in the 1948 movie The Naked City. He played a young detective named Jimmy Halloran. This movie was special because it was filmed entirely in New York.

He also appeared in the World War II movie Battleground (1949). Don Taylor played the husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor in the comedies Father of the Bride (1950) and Father's Little Dividend (1951). In 1953, he had an important role as a prisoner in the movie Stalag 17. His last major acting role was in I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955).

Becoming a Film Director

From the late 1950s, Don Taylor started directing movies and TV shows. He directed episodes for popular shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Night Gallery.

One of his well-known directing jobs was the musical film Tom Sawyer in 1973. He also directed Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) and The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977), which starred Burt Lancaster. Other films he directed include Damien - Omen II (1978) and The Final Countdown (1980). Sometimes, he would act and direct in the same project, like for the TV show Burke's Law.

Writing Career

Don Taylor also wrote plays, radio stories, and short stories. He wrote a TV movie in 1985 called My Wicked, Wicked Ways ... The Legend of Errol Flynn.

Family Life

Don Taylor with his first wife, Phyllis Avery, in 1946.

Don Taylor was married two times.

• His first wife was Phyllis Avery. They had two daughters named Anne and Avery.
• His second wife was Hazel Court. They had a son named Jonathan and a daughter named Courtney.

His Passing

Don Taylor passed away on December 29, 1998, in Los Angeles, California. He was 78 years old.

Awards and Nominations

Don Taylor was recognized for his work in directing:

• He was nominated for Best Director at the Saturn Awards for The Island of Dr. Moreau in 1977.
• He was also nominated for Best Director-Comedy at the Emmy Awards for The Farmer's Daughter in 1963.

Movies Don Taylor Directed

Here are some of the movies Don Taylor directed:

• Everything's Ducky (1961)
• Ride the Wild Surf (1964)
• Jack of Diamonds (1967)
• The Five Man Army (1969)
• Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
• Tom Sawyer (1973)
• Echoes of a Summer (1976)
• The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976)
• The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)
• Damien - Omen II (1978)
• The Final Countdown (1980)
• The Diamond Trap (1988)

He also directed many episodes for TV series like Cannon, Mod Squad, The Wild Wild West, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Movies Don Taylor Acted In