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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Don Dorrell? Don to worry, I'll door-introduce him.

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Don Dorrell
Dorrell in 1962
Born
Donald Evans Dorrell

(1933-12-26)December 26, 1933
DiedMay 3, 2003(2003-05-03) (aged 69)
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles
OccupationsFilm and television actor
Years active1959–1965
Spouse(s)Patricia McNulty[1]
Joy Dorrell[2]

Donald Evans Dorrell (December 26, 1933 – May 3, 2003)[3] was an American film and television actor. He was best known for playing Donovan in the American western television series Pony Express.[4]

Life and career

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Dorrell was born in Brownsville, Texas,[2] the son of Vernon Dorrell, an aviator.[5] He attended and graduated from Notre Dame High School. After graduating, He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.[2]

In 1959, Dorrell began his screen career, where joined the cast of the syndicated western television series Pony Express starring as Brett Clark's troubleshooter Donovan, starring along with Grant Sullivan.[4] He then played Jud Donovan in the 1961 film The Gambler Wore a Gun,[6] and Roger in the film Tammy Tell Me True. Other film appearances included the roles of Stoney Jackson in When the Girls Take Over, Payne in Ensign Pulver, and Private Hoxie in None but the Brave.[7] He also guest-starred in an episode of the NBC sitcom television series Hazel. In 1962, he survived a plane crash in the sea off Avalon, California.[8]

Dorrell retired from acting in 1965, last appearing in the film That Darn Cat!.[7] After retiring from acting, he worked as a pilot for twenty-five years. During his piloting career, he attended University of California, Los Angeles, earning his master's degree in 1974.[2]

Death

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Dorrell died of cancer on May 3, 2003, in Port Ludlow, Washington, at the age of 69.[2]

References

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  1. "Familiar Faces May Be Seen In New 'Tammy' Show". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. August 23, 1961. p. 3. Retrieved April 9, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Don Dorrell". Lewis Funeral & Poulsbo Mortuary. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  3. "Don Dorrell". AllMovie. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Magers, Boyd. "Do You Remember... Pony Express". Western Clippings. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022 via Wayback Machine.
  5. "Civic Actor Is Licensed Pilot And Instructor". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. Hollywood, California. April 2, 1962. p. 8. Retrieved August 8, 2026 via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  6. Lentz, Harris (1996). Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995: Section I. Actors and actresses. Section II. Directors, producers, and writers. McFarland. p. 237 via Google Books.
  7. 1 2 "Don Dorrell". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  8. "Lands Plane in Sea". Independent. Long Beach, California. September 11, 1962. p. 9. Retrieved April 9, 2022 via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
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[[Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni[]