Thayer David
Thayer David ( born March 4, 1927 in Medford, Massachusetts, † 17 July 1978 in New York, NY; actually David Thayer Hersey ) was an American actor.
He was best known for his work in the series Dark Shadows, which was sent from 1966 to 1971, and for his role in the film Rocky in 1976. One of his roles was that of Count Saknussem in the film Journey to the Center of the Earth ( 1959). He also played in the movie The Order of the Dragon, in the Clint Eastwood directed and starred.
A few years later, he played the lead role in the TV movie Nero Wolfe. The film was successful, the plan was a television series to film. But before she could be rotated, David died, and so William Conrad took over the role.
David was married to actress Valerie French, but both were divorced.
On July 17, 1978 David died at the age of 51 of a heart attack. Before David's death he and French were planning to remarry.