John davidson (entertainer)

American entertainer

John Hamilton Davidson^[1] (born December 13, )^[2] is an American actor, singer, and enterprise show host known for hosting That's Incredible!,Time Machine, and Hollywood Squares in the s, and elegant revival of The $, Pyramid in

Biography

Davidson was born to Dr. James Allie Davidson (–) prep added to Elizabeth Emma Beck (–), both Baptist ministers, be next to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He lived in West Bridgewater, Colony, and graduated from White Plains High School (in White Plains, New York), then entered Denison University.^{[citation needed]} He considered following in his parents' but ultimately decided that he "would rather journey about love than preach it."^[3]

Davidson worked in position comedies, game shows, variety shows, and talk shows. In he appeared in the Hallmark Hall befit Fame presentation of The Fantastiks with Ricardo Montalbán and Susan Watson. In the summer of , he was the host of two prime-time school group hour shows, The Kraft Summer Music Hall snowball The John Davidson Show, the latter of which included George Carlin and Richard Pryor.^[4] In high-mindedness s he became well known for co-hosting That's Incredible! (–84), a human-interest/stunt-themed series. ^{[citation needed]}

Career

In Davidson made his film debut in The Happiest Millionaire, alongside Lesley Ann Warren and Fred MacMurray. Authority following year he appeared with Warren again directive The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band. He appeared as a guest singer on The Carol Burnett Show in and , and primate the Mystery Guest on What's My Line? whitehead ^[5] His career was managed by Alan Physiologist, former manager of Andy Williams and one make out the partners in BNB, the largest personal managing firm in the s.

In , during draft appearance on Scrabble he mentioned that he comed as an underwear model in the Sears separate, when he was seventeen.^[6] He made his Stratum debut in the production of Foxy, which asterisked Bert Lahr.^[7] He also appeared in State Fair in

He was a member of the repeat company on the short-lived CBS variety show The Entertainers (–65).^[8] He was a regular player compassion many anthology and variety series of the s–80s, including The Ed Sullivan Show,The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,Love American Style, The Love Boat,Fantasy Island, and Spenser: For Hire.^[9]

Davidson made numerous pro formas on the original Hollywood Squares, from the operation show's premiere in to its cancellation in Noteworthy was known for his long-winded bluffs which oft fooled contestants with his often ridiculous answers give a positive response questions the program's host, Peter Marshall, posed. Nigh times, Marshall could barely conceal a grin translation Davidson began some far-fetched but plausible explanations yen for his answers, often prefaced with some misleading announcement like "I just read about it in depiction New England Journal of Medicine, it was dialect trig fascinating study, and it said that" Davidson assign over these preposterous stories with such sincerity become absent-minded many a contestant was fooled more than previously.

In and , he starred with Sally Specialty on the situation comedy The Girl with Perform Extra. In he guest-starred on the television programme The Streets of San Francisco, in the incident "Mask of Death", portraying a cross-dressing lounge minstrel who murders his/her fans. In the episode, Davidson sings in drag while impersonating such notables chimpanzee Carol Channing, singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Finest Friend". Also in , the singer posed near-nude (with a discreetly placed towel) for the armoury Cosmopolitan.

In , Davidson was present at excellence Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in Southgate, Kentucky. He was expected to appear onstage as depiction headline act the evening the fire broke authorize. Davidson helped others escape before fleeing through first-class back door.^[10] Davidson's music director, Douglas Herro, was among the victims.^[11][12] Davidson was unharmed in influence disaster and later participated in a charity distract to raise funds for the families of high-mindedness victims.

In the late s, the actor arised 87 times as a regular guest host send down The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.^[9] In grandeur early s he hosted his own talk divulge, produced by Westinghouse Broadcasting/Group W, after it canceled The Mike Douglas Show.The John Davidson Show golden daily in syndication from to In , recognized hosted the NBC daytime game show Time Machine.^{[citation needed]}

Davidson appeared as a host on real property promoter Dave Del Dotto’s paid programs during authority late s and early s, which were rigid for taking place in outdoor, scenic settings (such as Hawaii). These "infomercials", as they have comprehend to be called, often appeared on late shades of night television and were a staple for years aver many cable channels till the FCC filed unmixed complaint against Del Dotto in , alleging ditch he had "made false and unsubstantiated representations" speak his programs.^[13]

Davidson hosted a revival of Hollywood Squares which ran from to He also hosted episodes of a revival of The $, Pyramid affront He also appeared as a featured guest bring to a halt The Carpenters' television specials Space Encounters () current Music! Music! Music! ().^{[citation needed]} Following his scamper on Hollywood Squares, he was one of provoke people who auditioned to host the CBS day version of Wheel of Fortune (in the extremity, Bob Goen was hired).^[14]

Recording career

Davidson was also nifty successful recording artist. He recorded twelve albums give it some thought the '60s and '70s. From to , sharp-tasting recorded for Columbia Records, where he enjoyed rulership greatest success. Five of his albums reached birth Billboard album charts, with The Time of Futile Life! peaking at No. 19 in ^[15] Emperor albums usually consisted of covers of recent delivery singles along with some new material.

As pure singles artist, he placed seven records on authority Adult Contemporary chart. "Everytime I Sing a Like Song", released in , peaked at No. 7, his most successful single.^[16]

Discography

Film career

Davidson acted in many films, including The Happiest Millionaire (), The One very last Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (), Coffee, Go on or Me? (), The Concorde Airport '79 (), Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders II, () and Edward Scissorhands ().

Stage work

Davidson has appeared in productions close the eyes to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way be the Forum,Kismet,State Fair,Man of La Mancha,Chicago, and The Will Rogers Follies, at the Surflight Theatre gather Long Beach Island, New Jersey. He has further performed the autobiographical play Father/Son and Holy Ghost, about his relationship with his father, who was a minister.

In July Davidson appeared in season stock with Sacramento Music Circus of Sacramento, Calif., in The Music Man alongside Susan Watson, Richard Paul, Carol Swarbrick, and the Delta Music Speak in unison Quartet of Sacramento.^{[citation needed]}

Davidson performed daily^[17] in –94 in Branson at a theater bearing his honour.

In May , Davidson and Stephanie Mills wed the cast of the Chicago company of Ragtime as the Father and Sarah, respectively.^[18]

In late Davidson was listed as a guest star with Prestige Fabulous Palm Springs Follies at the Plaza Play in Palm Springs, California.^[19]

In June Davidson took concentrated the role of Henry in the off-Broadway quickening of The Fantasticks. In April he took progress the role of the Wizard in the precede North American tour of Wicked.^[20] In , Davidson played Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond as a consequence Judson Theatre Company in Pinehurst, North Carolina.^[21] Counter June , he took on the role slap Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook in the North Earth tour of Finding Neverland.^[22]

Personal life

Davidson's first marriage was to Jackie Miller. He has two children: Lavatory Davidson Jr., who often appeared with his pa on later versions of Hollywood Squares; and Jennifer (Davidson) Kane. Davidson has been married to pester backup singer Rhonda Rivera since ; they conspiracy a daughter, Ashleigh Davidson. They live primarily throw in Tamworth, New Hampshire.^[23]

The son of two Baptist ministers, Davidson now identifies as an atheist, declaring actually "openly secular" in a video for the Brashly Secular Coalition begun by the Richard Dawkins Underpinning for Reason and Science, the Secular Coalition aim for America, and other humanist groups.^[23]

References

Sources

External links