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David Wayne was born Wayne McKeekan on January 30, 1914 in Traverse City, Michigan.
His father
was an insurance executive; his mother died when he was four. He attended
Western Michigan University, then worked as a statistician in Cleveland where he
joined a Shakespearean Repertory company. Two years later, he landed a minor role in
The American Way in New York. He was rejected by the Army in World War II, but
volunteered as an ambulance driver in North Africa.
He returned to critical acclaim on Broadway (with Arthur Miller & Eugene O'Neill). He
was the first to ever receive a Tony award for acting. In 1941
he married his only wife, Jane Gordon,
who passed away in 1993. He had twin daughters — Kearney and Melinda.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1977, though his movie credits go
back to Portrait of Jennie and Adam's Rib (1948). In 1958 he won accolades
from the critics for his performance in Say Darling with Vivian Blaine (See
photo at right.)
The majority of his fans know him for his role as "The Mad Hatter" in Batman
in the 1960's. One
of them sent us the photo at left (click on it to see a larger
version). In fact, this fan — also a fan of our Ellery Queen series — reminded us
how engaging it would have been had the EQ episode, The Mad Tea Party, called
for Inspector Queen to dress up as the Mad Hatter (rather than Velie) giving his
Batman fans a bit of an in-joke.
Many other of his fans know him for his role as "Digger" Barnes in Dallas,
in the 1980's. But fans of Ellery Queen know him as the crusty, but lovable Inspector
Richard Queen of New York's Homicide Squad of the 1940's. He differs from the Inspector
Queen of the novels only a bit... he lacks the mustache mentioned in print, and some
books tell of his thin, bird-like physique — certainly not a characteristic of David
Wayne's portrayal.
Ellery's father being a police Inspector is integral to Ellery's involvement in many
cases and avoids the situations being overly contrived.
You'd expect him to be
constantly hearing of murders — not simply because he's a mystery writer. In many of
the sleuths that followed — especially on television, it surely seemed contrived that
they'd be constantly involved in murder mysteries. As with Jessica Fletcher (why didn't
people run screaming from town when she'd come to visit — since surely it meant they'd
be killed or accused of a murder?!). And with Diagnosis: Murder, wouldn't
they begin to think of Dr. Sloane as an arch-angel of death? But, I digress...
Wayne's Inspector Queen is a perfect match for Hutton's Ellery. The scenes where father
drones on and on, trying to get son to focus and listen to him are not to be missed! And
the question of who makes the worst coffee and just how many times has this batch been
re-heated are priceless. Their exchanges and obvious affection for one another bring
warmth and humor to the series.
An interesting note — as well as an actor, David worked in Hollywood for many years as
a special effects co-ordinator — including work with Wes Craven.
Sadly, David Wayne passed away of lung cancer February 9, 1995.
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