Don Porter

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

0.5503

Gender

Male

Birthday

24-Sep-1912

Age

(114 years old)

Place of Birth

Miami, Oklahoma, USA

Also Known As
  • Donald Porter
  • Donald Cecil Porter

Don Porter

Biography

Donald "Don" Porter (September 24, 1912 –February 11, 1997) was an American actor who appeared in a number of films since the 1940s, including Top Sergeant and Eagle Squadron. On television, he portrayed the widowed father of 15-year-old Frances "Gidget" Lawrence (Sally Field) in the 1965 ABC sitcom Gidget. Besides his work in film and television, Porter was active on stage, as he acted in more than 200 plays, including The Front Page, Plaza Suite, and Any Wednesday. He appeared in various films in the 1940s before landing the role of Peter Sands, the boss of Susan Camille MacNamara (Ann Sothern), on the 1950s sitcom Private Secretary. A retooled version of the series appeared later, titled The Ann Sothern Show. It featured many of the same actors, including Porter as hotel manager James Devery in the venue of a fashionable New York City hotel. He later guest starred on episodes of Green Acres, Love, American Style, The Mod Squad, Barnaby Jones, The Six Million Dollar Man, Hawaii Five-O, Three's Company (on which he played Jack Tripper's uncle), and Switch.


Credits

Interview with Pontius Pilate Interview with Pontius Pilate (1980) Character: Theodore Michael
A twentieth century TV journalist conducts an exclusive first century interview with Pontius Pilate thirty years after Christ's death. Go back in time to 64 A.D. with interviewer newsman Theodore Michael (Don Porter). As he speaks with Pontius Pilate (Guy Stockwell) and his wife Claudia Procula (Lesley Woods), Pilate reveals his innermost thoughts about Jesus' trial and the Good Friday judgment.
Reconnaissance Pilot Reconnaissance Pilot (1943) Character: Camera Instructor
Documentary/training film depicting the duties of a pilot in the Pacific Theatre of the Second World War as he flies reconnaissance missions over enemy-held islands.
How to Fly the B-26 Airplane How to Fly the B-26 Airplane (1944) Character: Captain Dick
Documentary feature film depicting the training of young Lieutenant Jim Anthony as a pilot of the B-26 Marauder bomber. Dick, the captain charged with pilot instruction, leads Jim through every aspect of preparation to fly the bomber, going through a detailed checklist of pre-flight procedures, long before he allows Jim to turn an engine over. Once preparations are completed, Dick shows Jim the process of starting the engines, followed by take-off. In the air, further instruction helps Jim understand the various limits and capabilities of the aircraft. When one engine fails, Dick must simultaneously guide the limping plane back to a safe landing and explain to Jim each step of the procedure.
The Last Song The Last Song (1980) Character: Philip Brockhurst
An aspiring singer unwittingly comes into possession of several tapes for which her engineer husband and his partner, in their electronic eavesdropping business, were murdered, and discovers that she and her daughter are now being stalked by the killers.
The Fallbrook Story The Fallbrook Story (1952) Character: Narrator
“The Fallbrook Story,” is a 20-minute film of Cold War-era uneasiness in which director Frank Capra rails against what he calls the evils of Big Bureaucracy. In 1951, Capra lived in Fallbrook, California on his 1,000-acre Red Mountain Ranch farm filled with olive groves. The federal government, which had purchased the old Rancho Santa Margarita land in 1941 to build Camp Pendleton, was concerned that ranchers upstream would take or pollute the Santa Margarita River, which ran through Camp Pendleton. Capra’s film documents how Fallbrook residents fought back against the federal government.
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone (1950) Character: Myron Brynk
Harriet O'Malley tries to solve a murder aboard a train en route to New York.
Danger Woman Danger Woman (1946) Character: Professor Claude Ruppert
A woman plots to steal secrets from her Atomic-expert husband.
Last Hours Before Morning Last Hours Before Morning (1975) Character: Mr. Pace
An ex-cop, now a private detective, investigating a gambler's murder finds that there may be a connection between that crime and the jewel robbery at a beautiful movie star's home.
The Murder That Wouldn't Die The Murder That Wouldn't Die (1980) Character: Gen. Rocky Jensen
William Conrad stars as a retired L.A.P.D. detective who has moved to Hawaii and taken a job as a college security chief and assistant football coach in this pilot to a post-"Cannon" series to have been called "Battles." With the aid of his niece, the school's star football player, a local tough-turned-college student, and the college dean, he investigates two related murders that occurred nearly 40 years apart.
Our Miss Brooks Our Miss Brooks (1956) Character: Lawrence Nolan
The big-screen translation of the successful television show of the 1950's. Arden stars as Connie Brooks, wisecracking English teacher at Madison High School, still hoping to tie the knot with shy biology teacher Philip Boynton (Robert Rockwell).
Happy Anniversary and Goodbye Happy Anniversary and Goodbye (1974) Character: Ed Murphy
As her 25th anniversary approaches, Norma Michaels realizes that her marriage to her dentist husband Malcolm has become boring. Seeking independence, Norma turns to her friend Fay while Malcolm receives advice from his swinging associate Greg.
Madame Spy Madame Spy (1942) Character: David Bannister
Joan Bannister is the wife of globe-trotting war correspondent David Bannister who travels by his side. Returning to the US, Bannister becomes suspicious when Joan begins associating with suspected Nazi functionaries, and wonders if she may be the elusive “Madame Spy” wanted by American authorities.
White Line Fever White Line Fever (1975) Character: Cutler
An independent trucker with a pregnant wife fights cargo crooks and the big shot they work for.
The Turning Point The Turning Point (1952) Character: Joe Silbray
Special prosecutor John Conroy hopes to combat organized crime in his city and appoints his cop father Matt as chief investigator. John doesn't understand why Matt is reluctant, but cynical reporter Jerry McKibbon thinks he knows: he's seen Matt with mob lieutenant Harrigan. Jerry's friendship with John is tested by the question of what to do about Matt, and by his attraction to John's girl Amanda. Meanwhile, the threatened racketeers adopt increasingly violent means of defense.
The Norliss Tapes The Norliss Tapes (1973) Character: Sanford T. Evans
A newspaper publisher listens to the personal tapes of investigative reporter David Norliss, who has disappeared during an investigation. The tapes tell the story of that investigation, involving a recent widow whose late husband has been seen working in his private studio. As Norliss and the widow investigate, they unravel a plot involving Voodoo and the walking dead.
Cripple Creek Cripple Creek (1952) Character: Denver Jones
It's 1893 and gold is being smuggled out of the country. Instead of stealing gold bars, the outlaws are stealing high grade ore, having it smelted, and then having it plated to look like lead. The Government sends agents Bret and Larry who arrive in Cripple Creek posing as Texas gunfighters. Bret finds the smelting operation and Larry learns of the payoff. But the crooked town Marshal is suspicious of the two men and the reply of his inquiry to Texas exposes them putting their lives in danger.
Tropic of Desire Tropic of Desire (1979) Character: Commodore Phillips
A male hustler drifts into Key West, where he becomes involved in a series of steamy interludes with disreputable locals intertwined in various political intrigues.
Top Sergeant Top Sergeant (1942) Character: Al Bennett
An army sergeant recognises a young recruit as the man responsible for his brother's death, while attempting a robbery.
Eagle Squadron Eagle Squadron (1942) Character: Ramsey
An American joins the British Royal Air Force just before Pearl Harbor is attacked, and falls in love with a beautiful English girl.
Who Done It? Who Done It? (1942) Character: 'Murder at Midnight' program manager
Two dumb soda jerks dream of writing radio mysteries. When they try to pitch an idea at a radio station, they end up in the middle of a real murder when the station owner is killed during a broadcast.
Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A. Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A. (1977) Character: Caufield
Based on the true story of coal miners who became trapped underground in a cave-in on Christmas Eve, 1951.
Wild Beauty Wild Beauty (1946) Character: Dr. Dave Morrow
In this western, a Native American boy and his horse Wild Beauty make friends with a gentle doctor who helps the boy save his beloved steed from the cruel industrialist who has been slaughtering horses and using their hides for making shoes. Read more at http://www.allmovie.com/movie/wild-beauty-v117011#MPOP1dAiWrjP7tqA.99
Eyes of the Underworld Eyes of the Underworld (1942) Character: Edward Jason
Blackmail and murder in a tale of an auto-theft ring.
The President's Mistress The President's Mistress (1978) Character: Craig
A government courier is caught in a deadly cover-up after discovering that his murdered sister was not only the mistress of a U.S. president, but also a Soviet spy.
Gidget Goes to Rome Gidget Goes to Rome (1963) Character: Russell Lawrence
Francis, now 17, is still in love with Moondoggy. She can persuade her parents to allow them a journey to Rome, together with two of her and two of his friends. However they have to take an adult with them, so they choose Peter's eccentric aunt. In Rome they get the beautiful guide Daniela, who's fascinating the guys and making especially Gidget jealous. She starts looking elsewhere herself.
Mame Mame (1974) Character: Mr. Upson
The madcap life of eccentric Mame Dennis and her bohemian, intellectual arty clique is disrupted when her deceased brother's 10-year-old son Patrick is entrusted to her care. Rather than bow to convention, Mame introduces the boy to her free-wheeling lifestyle, instilling in him her favorite credo, "Life is a banquet, and most poor sons of bitches are starving to death."
Night Monster Night Monster (1942) Character: Dick Baldwin
Kurt Ingston, a rich recluse, invites the doctors who left him a hopeless cripple to his desolate mansion in the swamps as one by one they meet horrible deaths.
The Racket The Racket (1951) Character: R. G. Connolly
The big national crime syndicate has moved into town, partnering up with local crime boss Nick Scanlon. McQuigg, the only honest police captain on the force, and his loyal patrolman, Johnson, take on the violent Nick.
Youngblood Hawke Youngblood Hawke (1964) Character: Ferdie Lax
An unknown Kentucky writer comes to New York and pursues fame and women.
Live a Little, Love a Little Live a Little, Love a Little (1968) Character: Mike Lansdown
Photographer Greg Nolan moonlights in two full-time jobs to pay the rent, but has trouble finding time to do them both without his bosses finding out.
The Legend of Lizzie Borden The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975) Character: George Robinson
A dramatization of the famous 1893 Massachusetts trial of the woman accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an ax.
My Friend Irma Goes West My Friend Irma Goes West (1950) Character: Mr. Brent
Singer Steve, friend Seymour and fiance Jane, along with her dizzy blonde room mate Irma, have a series of misadventures on a California-bound train and end up involved with a gang of murderous gangsters in Las Vegas.
Bachelor in Paradise Bachelor in Paradise (1961) Character: Thomas W. Jynson
A bachelor author of sleazy books moves to a family-oriented subdivision where he becomes an unofficial relationship advisor to unhappy local housewives, to the dismay of their respective husbands who suspect him of sexual misconduct.
Murder or Mercy Murder or Mercy (1974) Character: Henry Balin
An attorney comes out of retirement to defend a prominent doctor, who has been accused of the mercy killing of his wife.
Cuban Pete Cuban Pete (1946) Character: Roberts
Unable to complete the deal by telephone, advertising executive Roberts sends his assistant Ann to Cuba to lure a Cuban band, led by Desi Arnaz, on to an American radio program. Attracted to Ann, Arnaz and his band come to New York but complications arise when the squeaky-voiced, addle-brained sponsor of the program decides she wants to be the vocalist on the program.
Buck Privates Come Home Buck Privates Come Home (1947) Character: Capt. Christie
Two ex-soldiers return from overseas--one of them having smuggled into the country a French orphan girl he has become attached to. They wind up running into their old sergeant--who hates them--and getting involved with a race-car builder who's trying to find backers for a new midget racer he's building.
The Candidate The Candidate (1972) Character: Senator Crocker Jarmon
Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.
She-Wolf of London She-Wolf of London (1946) Character: Barry Lanfield
A young heiress finds evidence suggesting that at night she acts under the influence of a family curse and has begun committing ghastly murders in a nearby park.
Resisting Enemy Interrogation Resisting Enemy Interrogation (1944) Character: Lt. Frank L. Williams, Jr. - American Co-pilot
A downed American bomber crew quickly falls prey to the clever interrogation techniques of the Germans in this dramatic WW2 training film.
A Woman for All Men A Woman for All Men (1975) Character: Barney
Irascible and domineering millionaire Walter McCoy marries the beautiful, but shady and duplicitous Karen Petrie. Walter's son Steve automatically becomes smitten with Karen while both Walter's daughter Cynthia and loyal housekeeper Sarah suspect that something is up. This provokes a tangled web of deception, infidelity, and even murder.
The Morning After The Morning After (1974) Character: Rudy King
A successful public relations man's refusal to admit his alcoholism jeopardizes his career, his family and his life. ABC Movie of the Week.
Keep 'Em Slugging Keep 'Em Slugging (1943) Character: Jerry
A gang of tough street kids decide to go straight and get jobs in order to free draft-age men for the war effort. However, because of their past tangles with the law, they can't find anybody who'll hire them. Finally one of them gets a job at the department store where his sister works, but runs afoul of a store executive who is in league with a ring of hijackers.
Because You're Mine Because You're Mine (1952) Character: Captain Burton Nordell Loring
A famous opera singer falls for his sergeant's sister at boot camp.
711 Ocean Drive 711 Ocean Drive (1950) Character: Larry Mason
A telephone repairman in Los Angeles uses his knowledge of electronics to help a bookie set up a betting operation. After the bookie is murdered, the greedy technician takes over his business. He ruthlessly climbs his way to the top of the local crime syndicate, but then gangsters from a big East Coast mob show up wanting a piece of his action.
The Savage The Savage (1952) Character: Running Dog
The only white survivor of a Crow Indian raid on a wagon train is a young boy. He is rescued by the Sioux, and the Sioux chief raises him as an Indian in very way. Years later, the white men and the Sioux threaten to go to war and the Indian-raised white man is torn between his racial loyalties and his adopted tribe.
The Ghosts of Buxley Hall The Ghosts of Buxley Hall (1980) Character: Judge Oliver Haynes
Ghosts and a young cadet try to save a military academy from being closed.
40 Carats 40 Carats (1973) Character: Mr. Latham
After an overnight fling with a man nearly 20 years her junior while vacationing in Greece, Ann Stanley returns to New York assuming she'll never see Peter Latham again. Until, that is, he shows up on her doorstep to take her daughter to a party. Despite her yearning for Peter and the encouragement of her friends and family, Ann initially rebuffs him when he pursues her, but slowly she yields to his charm and her own stifled emotions.
Desk Set Desk Set (1957) Character: Don the Elevator Operator (uncredited)
A computer expert tries to prove his electronic brain can replace a television network's research staff.
Mystery of the White Room Mystery of the White Room (1939) Character: Dr. Donald Fox
A doctor and nurse solve an operating-room murder.



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