John Davidson (entertainer)
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John Davidson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Davidson in 1990 | |
| Occupation(s) | Stage, film, television actor |
| Spouse(s) | Rhonda Rivera, Jackie Miller |
John Hamilton Davidson, Sr. (born December 13, 1941) is an American actor, singer and game show host known for hosting That's Incredible!, Time Machine, and Hollywood Squares in the 1980s, and a revival of The $100,000 Pyramid in 1990.
Biography
Davidson was born to two Baptist ministers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1] His boyish good looks, broad smile and telegenic charm gained him entry to such TV venues as sitcoms, game shows, variety shows and talk shows. He is perhaps best known for hosting 1980-84's "That's Incredible", a human interest/ stunt-themed series created in the tradition of, "You Asked For It".
Davidson made his Broadway debut in the 1964 production of Foxy, which starred Bert Lahr. He also appeared in State Fair in 1996. He was a member of the regular repertory company on the short-lived CBS variety show The Entertainers (1964-65). He made more than one hundred appearances on the original Hollywood Squares during its 1966-1981 run. He was a regular player on many anthology and variety series of the 1970s-80s, including such shows as "Ed Sullivan", "The Bobby Goldsboro Show", "Love American Style", "Love Boat", and "Fantasy Island". The performer hosted his own talk show, produced by Westinghouse Broadcasting/Group W which aired daily in syndication (either 60 or 90 minutes in length) from 1980 to 1982. Davidson then became the M.C. of a new version of "Hollywood Squares" for three years. The show featured Jim J. Bullock as the upper left square and sometimes as center square.
Davidson has recorded twelve albums and performed in various musicals. He acted in many movies including The Happiest Millionaire; The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band; Coffee, Tea or Me; The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders II; Airport '79; and Edward Scissorhands, as well as the sitcom The Girl with Something Extra with Sally Field. John was also a featured guest on several of the Carpenters' TV specials. He was the scheduled headline act at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, the night the structure burned down, killing 165 persons, on May 28, 1977. He was not injured and later participated in a charity concert to raise funds for the families of fire victims.
Davidson has appeared in recent productions of "Funny Thing Happened on The Way to the Forum", "Kismet, "State Fair", "Man of La Mancha", & "Chicago" at the Surflight Theatre in Long Beach Island, NJ. He is also performing in his own "Father/Son and Holy Ghost" musical there in mid-late 2008. Davidson is one of the most popular musical performers never to appear on Billboard's "Top 100" chart. He has, however, placed several singles on their "Easy Listening" survey.
References
External links
- John Davidson at IMDb
- John Davidson at the Internet Broadway Database
- Template:Tvtome person
- John Davidson Website
- John Davidson Show
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