David Wayne (January 30, 1914 – February 9, 1995)

This man had the incredible ability to play a wide variety of characters…he was everything from a drunk to a doctor to a police inspector to a super villain… He began on Broadway in the 1930’s and eventually spent some time on radio. He appeared in more than two dozen films including Stella, Adam’s Rib, My Blue Heaven, How to Marry a Millionaire and The Last Angry Man. He appeared in four different films with Marilyn Monroe, more than any other actor. He made his final appearance on the Broadway stage in 1968… On television he co-starred as Inspector Richard Queen on the detective series “Ellery Queen” from 1975 to 1976 and Dr. Amos Weatherby on “House Calls” from 1979 to 1982. In 1966 he became the first and to date the only actor to play Jervis Tetch, the Mad Hatter in any incarnation of Batman. Any other portrayals of the Mad Hatter have been done on animated programs. He made four appearances on the 1960’s television series. In 1978 he originated the role of Willard “Digger” Barnes on the prime time soap opera “Dallas.” Digger was the sworn enemy of Jock Ewing (Jim Davis) his former business partner. The premises for the series saw Digger accusing Jock of stealing his share of their oil fortune. After four 1978 episodes the role of Digger was given to well known character actor Keenan Wynn for the 1979-1980 season of “Dallas.” The character of Digger is shown dying at the end of that season. Two guest appearances that stick out in my mind are the ones he made on “Phyllis” and “Murder, She Wrote.” On “Phyllis” he played a con man that convinces Phyllis during a séance that he has contacted her beloved late husband Lars. On “Murder, She Wrote” he played a quirky retired postal worker who charms Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) while claiming to be innocent of the crimes that are committed. (Here’s a small spoiler, in the episode his character is not the murderer) His final film role was in The Survivalist in 1987. His final television guest role was on “The Golden Girls” in 1986 and his final television co-starring role was in the made for TV movie “Poker Alice” in 1987… His other television credits include (this list is incomplete): “What’s My Line?” “Toast of the Town” “Password” “Pantomime Quiz” “I’ve Got a Secret” “The Virginia Graham Show” “The Philco Television Playhouse” “Studio One” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” “Playhouse 90” “The Frank Sinatra Show” “The Twilight Zone” “Sunday Showcase” “General Electric Theater” “Wagon Train” “Burke’s Law” “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre” “Mannix” “Barnaby Jones” “The Brian Keith Show” “Barney Miller” “Eight is Enough” “St. Elsewhere” “Newhart” “The Love Boat” In Memoriam Remembers: David Wayne