John David Carson was an American actor who rose to fame in the 1970s with his roles in films such as Pretty Maids All in a Row, Stay Hungry, and The Savage is Loose. He also appeared in many television shows, including Hawaii Five-O, Charlie’s Angels, and Falcon Crest. However, his career declined in the 1980s and he retired from acting after his last film, Pretty Woman, in 1990. He died of lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, on October 27, 2009, at the age of 57.
Early Life and Career
John David Carson was born on March 6, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. His father was Eldridge “Kit” Carson, a Western actor who worked with Dale Robertson, and his mother was Rosemonde James, a fashion model. He had Irish and Cherokee ancestry. He started his career as a child actor, doing commercials and cartoon voice-acting for Hanna-Barbera. He attended Los Angeles Valley College, where he played a lead role in The Taming of the Shrew in 1969.
He made his feature film debut in 1971 with Pretty Maids All in a Row, directed by Roger Vadim and starring Rock Hudson and Angie Dickinson. He played Ponce de Leon Harper, a sexually frustrated teenager who is seduced by his teacher. The film was controversial for its sexual content and received mixed reviews. However, Carson received praise for his performance and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year.
He continued to work in films throughout the 1970s, often playing young and naive characters who are corrupted or manipulated by older or more experienced people. Some of his notable films include The Day of the Dolphin (1973), where he played George C. Scott’s son; The Savage is Loose (1974), where he played Scott’s son again; Stay Hungry (1976), where he played a friend of Jeff Bridges’ character who gets involved with bodybuilders; and Empire of the Ants (1977), where he played a victim of giant ants.
He also appeared in many television shows, such as Gunsmoke, Kung Fu, Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco, Hawaii Five-O, Charlie’s Angels, Murder She Wrote, and Falcon Crest. He often played guest roles or recurring characters who were involved in some kind of mystery or crime.
Personal Life and Death
Carson was married three times. His first wife was Vicky Tama, a model who had an affair with Alfred Bloomingdale, a wealthy businessman and friend of Ronald Reagan. They married in 1976 and divorced in 1977. Tama was later murdered by a stalker in 1983. His second wife was Colette Trygg, whom he married in 1981 and divorced in 1993. His third wife was Diana Carson, whom he married in 2007 and remained with until his death. He had no children of his own, but had two stepdaughters from his third marriage.
Carson suffered from several health problems throughout his life. He had a serious motorcycle accident as a teenager that left him almost deaf in his left ear. He also struggled with alcoholism and depression. He retired from acting in 1990 and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he managed an inn with his wife.
He was diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes and other parts of the immune system. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments but the disease progressed rapidly. He died on October 27, 2009, at his home in Las Vegas. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Legacy and Influence
John David Carson was one of the promising young actors of the 1970s who had a charismatic screen presence and a versatile range of roles. He worked with some of the most acclaimed directors and actors of his time and received recognition for his talent. However, he also faced many challenges and difficulties that affected his career and personal life. He left behind a body of work that showcases his potential and charm.
He influenced many other actors who admired his style and personality. Some of them include Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, Zac Efron, Shia LaBeouf, Chris Pine, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Timothée Chalamet, Ansel Elgort, Noah Centineo, Cole Sprouse ,and Finn Wolfhard.
He is remembered by his fans and peers as a talented and charismatic actor who left a mark on Hollywood and beyond. He is also remembered for his courage and resilience in facing his illness and death. He is survived by his wife, stepdaughters, and other relatives and friends.
