Thayer David was a versatile and prolific actor who appeared in many films, stage plays, and television shows. He was best known for his roles as the villainous Count Saknussemm in Journey to the Center of the Earth, the albino ex-Nazi Dragon in The Eiger Sanction, and the fight promoter Miles Jergens in Rocky. He also starred in the popular Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, playing various characters such as Professor Stokes, Ben Stokes, Sandor Rakosi, and Count Petofi. He had a distinctive raspy voice that he used to create memorable voice-overs and characterizations. He was admired by his peers and fans for his talent and professionalism. However, his life and career were cut short by a sudden heart attack in 1978, when he was only 51 years old. What caused his death and what was he working on at the time? This article will explore the facts and circumstances surrounding Thayer David’s cause of death.
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Thayer David’s Early Life and Career
Thayer David was born David Thayer Hersey on March 4, 1927, in Medford, Massachusetts. His father, Thayer Frye Hersey, was an executive in the paper pulp industry. David attended Harvard University in the 1940s but did not graduate, concentrating instead on pursuing a career on the stage. With financial support from his father, he co-founded the Brattle Theatre Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1948, and established himself in the professional theatre. He adopted the stage name Thayer David in honor of his father.
He went on to act in many Broadway and off-Broadway productions, such as The Relapse, The Taming of the Shrew, The Way of the World, King Lear, Saint Joan, Oscar Wilde, A Man for All Seasons, The Seagull, The Crucible, Baker Street, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Ring Round the Moon, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Uncle Vanya, and The Dogs of Pavlov. He played a variety of roles, from comedy to drama, from historical figures to fictional characters, from heroes to villains. He was praised by critics and audiences for his versatility and skill.
He also ventured into film and television, making his debut in Baby Face Nelson in 1957. He followed with roles in A Time to Love and a Time to Die, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Great Race, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, The Boston Strangler, Little Big Man, Save the Tiger, The Eiger Sanction, Rocky, and many others. He appeared in numerous television shows, such as The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West, The Invaders, Mission: Impossible, Columbo, Kojak, and Quincy M.E. He was especially known for his work on Dark Shadows, which he joined in 1967 and stayed until the show’s end in 1971. He played multiple roles on the show, often using different accents and makeup to portray different characters. He was a fan favorite and a loyal member of the cast.
Thayer David’s Final Years and Death
In the late 1970s, Thayer David was at the peak of his career. He had just finished filming Rocky, in which he played Miles Jergens, the fight promoter who arranges the match between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. He received positive reviews for his performance and the film was a huge success, winning three Academy Awards and becoming a cultural phenomenon. He was also working on several other projects, such as the film The Big Fix, the television movie Nero Wolfe, and the Broadway play The Crucifer of Blood.
However, his health was deteriorating. He had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment. He also suffered from a heart condition that required medication. He was aware of his mortality and tried to live his life to the fullest. He married his second wife, Valerie French, an actress and former co-star, in 1970, and they remained together until his death. He was also active in charitable causes, such as the Actors Fund of America and the American Cancer Society.
On July 17, 1978, Thayer David was in New York City, preparing for the opening night of The Crucifer of Blood, a Sherlock Holmes play in which he played Professor Moriarty. He had been rehearsing with the cast and crew and was looking forward to the premiere. He was staying at the Algonquin Hotel, a famous landmark for writers and actors. He had a heart attack in his hotel room and died. He was 51 years old.
His death was a shock and a loss to the entertainment industry and his fans. He was mourned by his family, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him as a kind, generous, and talented man. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impression on the screen and stage.
Thayer David Cause of Death: A Tribute to a Great Actor
Thayer David was a remarkable actor who had a long and diverse career in theatre, film, and television. He was able to play any role, from comedy to drama, from historical figures to fictional characters, from heroes to villains. He had a distinctive raspy voice that he used to create memorable voice-overs and characterizations. He was admired by his peers and fans for his talent and professionalism. He was also a generous and compassionate person who supported various charitable causes and helped his fellow actors. He died too soon, but he left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impression on the screen and stage. Thayer David cause of death was a heart attack, but his spirit lives on in his work and in the hearts of his admirers. He was a great actor and a great man.
