THAYER DAVID

'Thayer David' (born March 4 1927 in Medford, Massachusetts – July 17 1978 in New York City) was a film and television actor. Born 'David Thayer Hersey', he was best known for his works on the cult ABC serial ''Dark Shadows'' which aired from 1966-1971 and the movie ''Rocky'' in 1976. His most memorable film role was as Count Saknussem in the film ''Journey to the Center of the Earth''. He also played Dragon in ''The Eiger Sanction'' in 1975 with Clint Eastwood.
In 1977 he played the leading role in a TV-movie, ''Nero Wolfe'', based on the Rex Stout novel "The Doorbell Rang." David skillfully personified Stout's conception of the corpulent detective Nero Wolfe, who took on clients grudgingly and solved mysteries dazzlingly. The film was successful and prompted Paramount Television to turn it into a TV series, but Thayer David died before the series could be filmed (William Conrad inherited the role).
Thayer David was married to and divorced from film and television actress Valerie French. He died from a heart attack at the age of 51. He and Miss French were planning to remarry before he died.

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