Dana Elcar

Dana Elcar (born Ibson Dana Elcar on October 10, 1927 in Ferndale, Michigan; died June 6, 2005 in Ventura, California) was an American television and movie character actor. Although he appeared in about 40 films, his most memorable role was as Peter Thornton, an administrator working in the Phoenix Foundation on the 1980's television series MacGyver. Elcar had supporting roles in The Sting, ', All of Me, and The Learning Tree, he also had a recurrent role in the popular 1970s television series Baa Baa Black Sheep, among others including "Dark Shadows" in which he played Sheriff Patterson #1.

Related Topics:
October 10 - 1927 - Ferndale, Michigan - June 6 - 2005 - Ventura, California - American - Television - Movie - Character actor - Films - 1980 - MacGyver - The Sting - All of Me - The Learning Tree - Baa Baa Black Sheep - Dark Shadows

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dana was a student of legendary acting coach Sanford Meisner. He brought this education to bear when in 1986, with fellow character actor William Lucking, he formed the Santa Paula Theater Center. Elcar sat as artistic director for six years.

Related Topics:
Sanford Meisner - 1986 - Character actor - William Lucking - Santa Paula - Artistic director

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1991, Elcar began to develop glaucoma, a degenerative condition of the eyes that causes blindness. This condition was written into the show, MacGyver, and Elcar's character also developed the disease. Now blind he took on the challenge of playing Vladimir in Waiting for Godot complete with white cane. This was his theatrical swan song and he retired in 1992. His death resulted from complications with pneumonia at the Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California. He is survived by his son, Dane Elcar, his three daughters, a stepdaughter, his sister, his half-sister and his long-time partner, Thelma M. Garcia.

Related Topics:
1991 - Glaucoma - MacGyver - Waiting for Godot - Swan song - 1992 - Pneumonia - Ventura, California

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~