Don Spruance
Don Spruance | |
|---|---|
 Spruance (left) with Hazel Turney, 1950 | |
| Born | Donald W. Spruance[1] November 17, 1933 |
| Occupation(s) | Film, stage and television actor |
Donald W. Spruance (born November 17, 1933)[2] is an American film, stage and television actor. He is known for playing Dr. Robert Ward in the American medical drama television series Ben Casey.[3]
Life and career
Spruance was born in San Francisco, California,[4] the son of William Donald Sr., an insurance broker, and Joyce Spruance.[5] He was originally a dancer.[6] He began his stage career in the 1950s, appearing in numerous stage productions and summer stock theaters.[7] He then began his screen career in 1960, appearing in the film Ma Barker's Killer Brood. In the same year, he appeared in the television programs Wrangler and Dennis the Menace.[8] During his screen career, he worked as an insurance executive.[1]
Later in his career, in 1961, Spruance starred as Dr. Robert Ward of the ABC medical drama television series Ben Casey, starring along with Vince Edwards, Sam Jaffe, Harry Landers, Jeanne Bates, Nick Dennis and John Zaremba.[3] After leaving the series in 1964, he guest-starred in television programs including Gunsmoke, 12 O'Clock High, The Fugitive, The Twilight Zone, Redigo,[9] The F.B.I. and The Donna Reed Show,[8] and also in films such as This Is Not a Test, Pickup on 101 and Father Goose.[10]
Spruance retired from acting in 1977, last appearing in the ABC crime drama television series The Streets of San Francisco.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Woodminster Theater Gets Ready for Summer". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. June 14, 1970. p. 81. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Don Spruance". AllMovie. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010, 2d Ed. McFarland. p. 88. ISBN 9780786486410 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Don Spruance List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ^ "Mrs. Joyce Spruance Final Rites". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. December 21, 1971. p. 22. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Secretary with Dance Band Needs More Than Standard". Evening World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. March 27, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Two TV Actors Named For Leading Roles In New Wittenberg Movie". Springfield News-Sun. Springfield, Ohio. May 10, 1959. p. 19. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Hollywood Hackers To Play In Skywest Charity Tourney". Alameda Times Star. Alameda, California. April 21, 1966. p. 14. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Redigo". Alameda Times Star. Alameda, California. August 31, 1963. p. 6. Retrieved July 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Father Goose (1964)". AllMovie. Retrieved July 20, 2025.