John Forsythe

John Lincoln Forsythe ( Freund; January 29, 1918 – April 1, 2010) was an American stage, film/television actor, producer, narrator, and drama teacher whose career spanned six decades. He also appeared as a guest on several talk and variety shows and as a panelist on numerous game shows.

In 1943, he signed up with Warner Bros. as a minor contract player, but he starred in The Captive City (1952) and co-starred opposite Loretta Young in It Happens Every Thursday (1953), Edmund Gwenn and Shirley MacLaine in The Trouble with Harry (1955), and Olivia de Havilland in The Ambassador's Daughter (1956).

He also enjoyed a long successful television career, starring in three television series in three genres: as the single playboy father Bentley Gregg in the sitcom Bachelor Father (1957–1962); as the unseen millionaire Charles Townsend in the crime drama Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)—a role he reprised in the 2000 and 2003 film adaptations; and as patriarch Blake Carrington in the prime time soap opera Dynasty (1981–1989). He hosted the series World of Survival (1971–1977),

He was raised in Brooklyn, where his father worked as a Wall Street businessman during the Great Depression of the 1930s. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brighton Beach at the age of 16, and began attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1936, at the age of 18, he took a job as the public address announcer for Brooklyn Dodgers games at Ebbets Field, confirming a childhood love of baseball.

Movie career and Army service The handprints of John Forsythe in front of The Great Movie Ride at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. Despite showing initial reluctance, Forsythe began an acting career at the suggestion of his father. As a bit player for Warner Brothers, Forsythe successfully appeared in several small parts.

In 1955, Alfred Hitchcock cast him in the movie The Trouble with Harry, with Shirley MacLaine in her first movie appearance, for which she won a Golden Globe. In 1969, Forsythe appeared in another Hitchcock film, Topaz. on NBC with Guy Marks, Elsa Lanchester, Ann B. Davis, Peggy Lipton, and Forsythe's two young daughters, Page and Brooke (1965–1966), and To Rome with Love on CBS (1969–1971) with co-star Walter Brennan. Another Spelling production, Dynasty was ABC's answer to the highly successful CBS series Dallas. Between 1985 and 1986, Forsythe also appeared as Blake Carrington in the short-lived spinoff series The Colbys.

The series reunited Forsythe with one-time Bachelor Father guest star Linda Evans, who would play Blake's wife, Krystle. During the run of the series, Forsythe, Evans and co-star Joan Collins, who played Blake's ex-wife Alexis, promoted the Dynasty line of fragrances. Dynasty came to an end in 1989, after nine seasons. Forsythe was the only actor to appear in all 220 episodes.

Forsythe was nominated for Emmy Awards three times between 1982 and 1984 for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" but did not win. He was also nominated six times for Golden Globe Awards, winning twice. He was nominated five times for the Soap Opera Digest Awards, also winning twice. In 1983, Forsythe was presented with the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award at a ceremony in Coronado, California.

The Powers That Be In 1992, after a three-year absence, Forsythe returned to series television starring in Norman Lear's situation comedy The Powers That Be for NBC, co-starring Holland Taylor, Peter MacNicol, Valerie Mahaffey and David Hyde Pierce.

On May 2, 2006, Forsythe appeared with Dynasty co-stars Linda Evans, Joan Collins, Pamela Sue Martin, Al Corley, Gordon Thomson and Catherine Oxenberg in Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar. The one-hour reunion special of the former ABC series aired on CBS.

Thoroughbred racing Forsythe owned and bred Thoroughbred racehorses for many years and was a member of the board of directors of Hollywood Park Racetrack. Among his successes, in partnership with film producer Martin Ritt he won the 1976 Longacres Mile with Yu Wipi.

With partner Ken Opstein, he won the 1982 Sixty Sails Handicap with Targa, and the 1993 La Brea Stakes with a daughter of Targa, Mamselle Bebette, which he raced under the name of his Big Train Farm, a stable he named for Hall of Fame baseball pitcher, Walter Johnson.

In the 1980s, Forsythe served as the regular host for the annual Eclipse Awards. He was the recipient of the 1988 Eclipse Award of Merit for his contribution in promoting the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

Personal life Forsythe married actress Parker Worthington McCormick (December 29, 1918 – July 22, 1980) in 1939. They had a son, Dall (born February 14, 1941), and divorced in 1943.

Also in 1943, Forsythe met Julie Warren (October 20, 1919 – August 15, 1994), initially a theatre companion, but later a successful actress in her own right, landing a role on Broadway in Around the World. She became Forsythe's second wife, and in the early 1950s they had two daughters.

Julie Warren died at age 74 from cancer in hospital after Forsythe made the decision to disconnect her life-support system. She had been in a coma following severe breathing difficulties.

In July 2002, Forsythe married businesswoman Nicole Carter (May 27, 1941 – May 11, 2010) at Ballard Country Church; they remained married until his death. Nicole Carter Forsythe died five weeks after her husband.

Besides spending time with his family, he enjoyed ownership of an art gallery.

Forsythe appeared each year to read to children during the annual Christmas program near his home at the rural resort community of Solvang, California.

Forsythe was treated for colorectal cancer in the fall of 2006. Surgery was reportedly successful and his cancer was considered to be in remission at the time of his death.

Death Forsythe died on April 1, 2010, from pneumonia in Santa Ynez, California, at the age of 92. He was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery, Ballard, Santa Barbara County, California.

Legacy

Forsyth received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes1943 Northern Pursuit Corporal Uncredited Destination Tokyo Sparks 1949 Arson, Inc. Race Track Announcer Voice; uncredited 1951 American Harvest (16mm film) Narrator 1952 The Captive City Jim Austin1953 It Happens Every Thursday Bob MacAvoy The Glass Web Don Newell Escape from Fort Bravo Capt. John Marsh 1955 The Trouble with Harry Sam Marlowe1956 The Ambassador's Daughter Sgt. Danny Sullivan Everything but the Truth Ernie Miller 1959 Dubrowsky Wladia 1964 Kitten with a Whip David 1966 Madame X Clay Anderson 1967 In Cold Blood Alvin Dewey1969 Marooned Olympus / President Uncredited Topaz Michael Nordstrom The Happy Ending Fred Wilson 1978 Goodbye & Amen The American Ambassador 1979 ...And Justice for All. Judge Henry T. Fleming 1988 Scrooged Lew Hayward 1992 Stan and George's New Life Father 1999 We Wish You a Merry Christmas Mr. Ryan Voice; Direct to video 2000 Charlie's AngelsCharles "Charlie" TownsendVoice 2003 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

Television Year Title Role Notes1948 Stage Door Keith Burgess TV movie Kraft Television Theatre 2 episodes Actors Studio Episode: "The Widow of Wasdale Head" 1949 NBC Presents Episode: "Just for Tonight" 1949–1955 Studio One in Hollywood Various 10 episodes1951 The Ford Theatre Hour Peter Flint Episode: "The Golden Mouth" Robert Montgomery Presents Dr. Frederick Steele Episode: "Dark Victory" Starlight Theatre 2 episodes Cosmopolitan Theatre Episode: "Time to Kill"1951–1952 Lights Out Various 3 episodes Suspense Various 5 episodes Danger 2 episodes 1951–1958 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Various 5 episodes1952 Pulitzer Prize Playhouse 2 episodesCurtain Call Episode: "The Season of Divorce" The Philco Television Playhouse 2 episodes 1954 The United States Steel Hour Prof. Gilbert Jardine Episode: "King's Pawn"1955 The Elgin Hour George Conway Episode: "Driftwood" Alfred Hitchcock Presents Kim Stanger Season 1 Episode 2: "Premonition" 1955–1958 Climax! Various 5 episodes1956 Playwrights '56 Joe Neville Episode: "Return to Cassino" Star Stage Episode: "A Place to be Alone" Goodyear Television Playhouse Lt. John Stahlman Episode: "Stardust II"1957 Zane Grey Theatre CSA Lt. David Marr Episode: "Decision at Wilson Creek" General Electric TheaterBentley Gregg Episode: "New Girl in His Life" 1957–1962 Bachelor Father 157 episodes 1958 The Major and the Minor TV movie1959 Lux Playhouse Colonel Bill Adams Episode: "The Miss and Missiles" Sunday Showcase Al Manheim 2 episodes 1962 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Michael Barnes 'Episode: "I Saw The Whole Thing"1963 Alcoa Premiere Andy Ballard Episode: "Five, Six, Pick Up Sticks" The Dick Powell Show Peter Kent Episode: "The Third Side of a Coin" Kraft Mystery Theater Episode: "Go Look at the Roses"1964 See How They Run Martin Young TV movie Kraft Suspense Theatre 2 episodes 1965 Theatre of Stars Charlie King Episode: "In Any Language" 1965–1966 The John Forsythe Show Major John Foster 29 episodes 1966 Insight Ray 2 episodes1967 Run for Your Life Spencer Holt Episode: "A Choice of Evils" The Red Skelton Show Millionaire's Son Episode: "A New York Stripper Is Not Always a Steak" A Bell for Adano Maj. Victor JoppolaTV movie 1968 Shadow on the Land Gen. Wendell Bruce 1969–1971 To Rome with Love Michael Endicott 48 episodes 1971 Murder Once Removed Dr. Ron Wellesley TV movie1973 The Letters Paul Anderson Unsold pilot Lisa, Bright and Dark William SchillingTV movie1974 Cry Panic David Ryder Police Story Sam McCullough Episode: "Chief" The Healers Dr. Robert KierTV movie Terror on the 40th Floor Daniel 'Dan' Overland1975 The Deadly Tower Lt. Elwood Forbes Medical Story Amos Winkler Episode: "Million Dollar Baby" 1976 Amelia Earhart G.P. Putnam Miniseries 1976–1981 Charlie's Angels Charles "Charlie" Townsend (voice) 109 episodes; uncredited1977 Tail Gunner Joe Paul CunninghamTV movie Emily, Emily Niles Putnam The Feather and Father Gang E.J. ValerianEpisode: "Never Con a Killer" (Pilot)1978 Cruise Into Terror Reverend Charles MatherTV movie With This Ring General Albert Harris The Users Reade Jamieson 1980 A Time for Miracles Postulator 1981 Sizzle Mike Callahan 1981–1989 Dynasty Blake CarringtonMain roleGolden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series DramaSoap Opera Digest Award - Outstanding Actor in a Mature Role in a Prime Time Soap Opera; Outstanding Actor in a Prime Time Soap Opera>Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series DramaNominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1982–1984)Nominated — Soap Opera Digest Award: Favorite Super Couple on a Prime Time Serial (with Linda Evans); Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role on a Prime Time SerialNominated — Soap Opera Digest Award: Favorite Super Couple: Prime Time (with Linda Evans) 1982 Mysterious Two He TV movie 1983 The Love Boat Burt Gardner 2 episodes 1985–1986 The Colbys Blake Carrington 4 episodes 1987 On Fire Joe Leary Sr.TV movie 1989 Champions in Kentucky: The Story of the 1988 Breeders' Cup Narrator 1990 Opposites Attract Rex Roper1991 Spirit of a Champion: The Story of the 1990 Breeders' Cup Narrator Dynasty: The Reunion Blake Carrington Miniseries 1992–1993 The Powers That Be Sen. William Franklin Powers 21 episodes 1993–1994 I Witness Video Host1996 Adventures from the Book of Virtues Dadelaus (voice) Episode: "Responsibility" The Goliath Chronicles Pat Doyle (voice) Episode: "Ransom" 2006 Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar Himself / Blake Carrington Documentary

Web Year Title Role Notes 2003 Charlie's Angels: Animated Adventures Charles "Charlie" Townsend (voice) Episode: "Chapter One: Most Delicious Angels"; uncredited

Radio appearances