Ray Danton was a versatile and charismatic actor, director, and producer who had a successful career in Hollywood and Europe. He was best known for his roles in biographical films such as The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond (1960) and The George Raft Story (1961), as well as his work on popular TV shows such as Magnum, P.I. (1980) and Cagney & Lacey (1981). But how did he die and what was the cause of his death?
Early Life and Career
Ray Danton was born Raymond Caplan on September 19, 1931, in New York City. His family was Jewish and he was a descendant of the Vilna Gaon, a famous rabbi and scholar. He began his show business career as a child radio actor on NBC’s Let’s Pretend show in 1943, at the age of 12. He later attended Carnegie Mellon University, where he appeared in many stage productions. He also performed on Broadway and in London, before making his film debut in Chief Crazy Horse (1955), playing Little Big Man.
Danton quickly rose to fame as a handsome and smooth leading man who often played oily or villainous characters. He received the Golden Globe Award in 1956 for the new male star of the year in film. He starred or co-starred in many films, such as I’ll Cry Tomorrow (1955), The Night Runner (1957), Too Much, Too Soon (1958), Onionhead (1958), Tarawa Beachhead (1958), The Beat Generation (1959), Portrait of a Mobster (1961), The Longest Day (1962), and many others. He also appeared in numerous TV shows, such as Playhouse 90, Studio One, Climax!, Wagon Train, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Twilight Zone.
European Adventure
In the early 1960s, Danton moved to Europe, where he made several films in Italy and Spain, mostly in the genres of spaghetti westerns, spy thrillers, and horror. Some of his notable European films include Secret Agent Super Dragon (1966), The Last Killer (1967), Deathmaster (1972), Psychic Killer (1975), and Challenge to White Fang (1974). He also directed some of these films, as well as episodes of TV shows such as Hawaii Five-O, The Incredible Hulk, Quincy M.E., Magnum P.I., Cagney & Lacey, and Vietnam War Story.
Personal Life and Death
Danton was married to actress Julie Adams from 1954 or 1955 until their divorce in 1981. They had two sons: Steven Danton, an assistant director, and Mitchell Danton, an editor. Danton also had a long-term relationship with actress Jeannie Austin. Danton died of kidney failure in Los Angeles, California, on February 11, 1992, at the age of 60. He was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ray Danton was a talented and charismatic actor who left behind a legacy of memorable performances in film and television. He was also a successful director and producer who worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. His cause of death was kidney failure, which may have been related to his diabetes or other health issues. He is remembered as one of the stars of the golden age of cinema and television.
