Cesare Danova (1926-1992)

biography

Cesare Danova was born Cesare Deitinger on March 1, 1926, in the town of Bergamo, Italy. His family pressured him to study medicine, but Danova was far more interested in acting. By the time he was 20 years old, he had begun acting in films in his native Italy and continued in European films through the mid 1950s. He was spotted by an MGM talent scout in his starring role in the German adventure film Don Giovanni in 1955 and was quickly signed to a long-term contract. Around the same time, Danova married British actress Pamela Matthews in 1955, and the couple had two sons before divorcing in 1963.

Although under contract to the biggest and best film studio, Danova's career languished at MGM. While under contract, he made no films for the studio while executives tried to figure out how to cast the Italian actor. He was nearly cast in as the title character in Ben Hur, but the studio decided to go with Charlton Heston. He finally made his American film bow in the 20th Century-Fox comedy The Man Who Understood Women (1959; with Leslie Caron and Henry Fonda) and proved quite adept at comedy. For the remainder of his career, Danova would alternate between comedic roles and dramas. After leaving MGM, Danova's career flourished in films and on television. His film work includes Cleopatra (1963; with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton), Viva Las Vegas (1964; with Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret), and Che! (1969; with Omar Shariff and Jack Palance. Today, audiences best remember Danova in his hilarious role as mafia-boss-turned-mayor Carmine DePasto in Animal House (1978).

the films of cesare danova

Crossed Swords (1954)

The Man Who Understood Women (1959)

Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959)

Valley of the Dragons (1961)

Tender Is the Night (1962)

Cleopatra (1963)

Gidget Goes to Rome (1963)

Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966)

Chamber of Horrors (1966)

Garrison's Gorillas (1967-1968 ABC TV Series)

Mean Streets (1973)

Scorchy (1976)

Tentacles (1977)

later years

Cesare Danova's final film release was the popular comedy Animal House (1978; with John Belushi, Tim Matheson, and John Vernon). In to the 1980s, his career slowed a bit; nonetheless, Danova could be seen in guest spots on Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote. His final screen appearance came in two episodes of In the Heat of the Night, which lensed a few months before his death on March 19, 1992, from a sudden heart attack. Danova was 66 years old. He was survived by his second wife and two sons.

cesare danova films available from movies unlimited

Daniel Boone: Season 1 [DVD](1964) DVD
All 28 episodes from the first season--including "Ken-Tuck-E," "My Brother's Keeper," "The Ben Franklin Encounter," the two-part "Cain's Birthday," and "The Courtship of Jericho Jones"--are collected in an eight-disc set. 24 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; featurette; interviews; photo gallery. **28 episodes on 8 discs. 24 1/4 hrs.**
Honey West: Complete Series [DVD](1965) DVD
Based on the mystery novels by G.G. Fickling, this fantastic "Burke's Law" spin-off was TV's first action-drama with a female lead. Join sexy and glamorous private eye Honey West (Anne Francis) as she uses her wits and martial arts skills to investigate a diverse assortment of cases with the help of partner Sam Bolt (John Ericson). Irene Hervey co-stars. All 30 episodes of the series--including "The Swingin' Mrs. Jones," "A Stitch in Crime," "The Fun-Fun Killer," "Little Green Robin Hood," and "An Eerie, Airy Thing"--are featured in a four-disc set. 15 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; commercials; photo gallery. 30 episodes on 4 discs. 15 hrs.
That Girl: Season Three [DVD](1968) DVD
All 26 episodes from the third season--including "Sock It to Me," "Eleven Angry Men and That Girl," "A Muggy Day in Central Park," "The Earrings," and "Bad Day at Marvin Gardens"--are featured in a four-disc set. 13 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; audio commentary; featurette. **26 episodes on 4 discs. 13 hrs.**
The Mod Squad: Season 2, Vol. 1 [DVD](1969) DVD
The first 13 episodes from the second season--including "The Girl in Chair Nine," "Ride the Man Down," "Lisa," "The Healer," and "Never Give the Fuzz an Even Break"--are featured in a four-disc set. 11 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. **13 episodes on 4 discs. 11 hrs.**
The Doris Day Show: Season 4 [DVD](1971) DVD
All 24 episodes from the fourth season--including "And Here's...Doris," "A Weighty Problem," "Doris at Sea," "Cover Girl," and "There's a Horse Thief in Every Family Tree"--are collected in a four-disc set. 11 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; bonus episode of "The Pet Set Show"; bonus footage; interviews; outtakes; TV spots; theatrical trailer. **24 episodes on 4 discs. 11 1/2 hrs.**
Sanford And Son: The Fifth Season [DVD](1975) DVD
All 25 fifth-season episodes--including "Earthquake II," "The Sanford Arms," "The Oddfather," "Lamont in Love," and "Camping Trip"--are featured in a three-disc set. 10 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo. **25 episodes on 3 discs. 10 1/2 hrs.**
Cleopatra [DVD](1963) DVD
Possibly the most expensive film ever made, the story of the beautiful Queen of the Nile is vividly captured with a breathtaking Elizabeth Taylor in the title role. Richard Burton and Rex Harrison are Marc Antony and Julius Caesar in this truly grand epic of war and romance. Co-stars Pamela Brown, Hume Cronyn, Cesare Danova, Kenneth Haigh, Martin Landau, Roddy McDowall, and Francesca Annis. 4 hrs. on two discs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary.
The Complete Gidget Collection [DVD] DVD
First, "Gidget" (1959) stars Sandra Dee as the young beach bunny who must choose between surfer boyfriends Cliff Robertson and James Darren. Arthur O'Connell, Doug McClure, Yvonne Craig co-star. Next, everyone's favorite surfin' girl (Deborah Walley) heads to Waikiki and finds fun and romance in "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" (1961). With James Darren, Michael Callan, Peggy Cass. And, finally, when the bubbly blonde prima donna of the ocean waves (Cindy Carol) takes the Eternal City by storm, it seems Moondoggie's got some competition from a suave Italian charmer, in the fluffy romantic misadventure "Gidget Goes to Rome" (1963). James Darren, Cesare Danova co-star. 5 hrs. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Viva Las Vegas (Deluxe Edition) [Blu-ray](1964)
In one of his biggest and best films, Elvis Presley is "just a devil with love to spare" as a race car driver looking to enter the Las Vegas Grand Prix and romancing sexy Ann-Margret. With Cesare Danova, William Demarest, and the great Jack Carter as himself. Songs include "The Lady Loves Me," "What'd I Say," and the title tune. 85 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English, French; featurette; more.
Viva Las Vegas (Deluxe Edition) [DVD](1964) DVD
In one of his biggest and best films, Elvis Presley is "just a devil with love to spare" as a race car driver looking to enter the Las Vegas Grand Prix and romancing sexy Ann-Margret. With Cesare Danova, William Demarest, and the great Jack Carter as himself. Songs include "The Lady Loves Me," "What'd I Say," and the title tune. 85 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; featurette; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.
Bob Hope: M-G-M Movie Legends Collection [DVD] DVD
Fired war correspondent Bob Hope tries to win his job back by uncovering a Nazi spy ring in "They Got Me Covered" (1943), with Dorothy Lamour, Otto Preminger. Hapless insurance salesman Hope's newest client is none other than Jesse James, who has a scheme to get Bob mistaken for the outlaw and gunned down in his place. "Alias Jesse James" (1959) also stars Rhonda Fleming, Wendell Corey, and a corral of movie cowboys in cameos. Hope and Lucille Ball learn "The Facts of Life" (1960) as the principals in a would-be love affair that never gets started thanks to their families. Ruth Hussey, Louis Nye co-star. A job transfer to Europe is the drastic step that overprotective dad Hope takes to break up daughter Tuesday Weld's romance with rock-and-roller Frankie Avalon in "I'll Take Sweden" (1965). And real estate agent Bob tries to hide a movie queen (Elke Sommer) on the run from her studio and director boyfriend. "Boy Did I Get a Wrong Number!" (1967) co-stars Phyllis Diller, Cesare Danova. Seven-disc set also includes "The Princess and the Pirate" and "The Road to Hong Kong." 11 1/4 hrs. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles; English, Spanish.
Daniel Boone: Cain's Birthday [DVD](1965) DVD
In the two-part episode "Cain's Birthday," Boone finds himself dealing with hostile Indians who threaten the lives of women and children living in Boonesborough. After arriving at a Choctaw encampment, he tries to prevent an attack on his people while also dealing with a crisis involving the community's dwindling water supply. Fess Parker, Patricia Blair, Albert Salmi star. 120 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Mean Streets [DVD](1973) DVD
Violent drama from director Martin Scorsese has become a modern-day classic of ultra-realistic filmmaking. Robert De Niro is a two-bit hood in New York's Little Italy involved with a loan shark and Harvey Keitel his friend, trying to keep him out of trouble. With Amy Robinson and Richard Romanus. 112 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; audio commentary by Scorsese; featurette; theatrical trailer.
Scorsese Collection [DVD] DVD
Seven-disc set includes "Mean Streets," as well as the two-disc special editions of "Goodfellas," "The Aviator" and "The Departed."
Empire Of The Ants (1977)/Tentacles [DVD](1977) DVD
First, watch as the one and only Joan Collins leads a group of unfortunate tourists to a deserted island, unaware that giant ants have grown on the island and don't take kindly to intruders. "Empire of the Ants" co-stars Robert Lansing, Albert Salmi, Jacqueline Scott. Next, there's eight times the terror as a giant octopus reaches out and puts the squeeze on a seaside community in "Tentacles," starring Bo Hopkins, Henry Fonda, John Huston, and Shelley Winters. 191 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo/English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailers.
The Brain Machine (1977)/The Astral Fiend [DVD](1977) DVD
First, in "The Brain Machine," a government-run experiment in mind control produces a deadly computer, and four scientists become unwitting guinea pigs. Can they possibly escape from the technological terror? James Best, Barbara Burgess and Gerald McRaney star. AKA: "Grey Matter," "Mind Warp," "The E-Box," "Time Warp." Then, in "The Astral Fiend," a convicted murderer in prison learns the secret of becoming invisible and escapes, swearing vengeance on those who testified against him. Robert Foxworth, Elke Sommer and Stefanie Powers star. AKA: "Invisible Strangler," "The Astral Factor." 176 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
National Lampoon's Animal House (30th Anniversary Edition) [DVD](1978) DVD
One of the first--and perhaps the greatest--of the "gross-out" comedies, and John Belushi's quintessential screen performance. Watch as the misfits of Delta House use food fights, dead horses, toga parties and other tactics to battle the "straights" and administrators of Faber College in 1962. Tim Matheson, Peter Riegert, Tom Hulce, Karen Allen, Donald Sutherland, and Otis Day and The Knights also star. 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; featurettes; games; theatrical trailer. Two-disc set.

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NOTE: These films are currently unavailable on DVD:

filmography

FILMS
Animal House (1978) with John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Tom Hulce, Peter Riegert, Stephen Furst, Mark Metcalf, Karen Allen, and James Widdoes
Tentacles (1977) with Henry Fonda, John Huston, Shelley Winters, Bo Hopkins, and Claude Akins
Scorchy (1976) with Connie Stevens, William Smith, Norman Burton, John Davis Chandler, Joyce Jameson, and Greg Evigan
A Matter of Wife... and Death (1976) with Rod Taylor, Anne Archer, Lynda Carter, Anita Gillette, and Dick Butkus
The Astral Fiend (1976) with Robert Foxworth, Elke Sommer, Stefanie Powers, Sue Lyon, Leslie Parrish, Mark Slade, and Marianna Hill
Death Cruise (1974) with Richard Long, Polly Bergen, Edward Albert, Kate Jackson, Celeste Holm, Tom Bosley, and Michael Constantine
Mean Streets (1973) with Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel
Honeymoon with a Stranger (1969) with Janet Leigh, Rossano Brazzi, Eric Braeden, and Barbara Steele
Che! (1969) with Omar Sharif, Jack Palance, Robert Loggia, Woody Strode, and Barbara Luna
Chamber of Horrors (1966) with Patrick O'Neal, Laura Devon, Suzy Parker, Jeanette Nolan, Marie Windsor, Wayne Rogers, Richard O'Brien, and Berry Kroeger
Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966) with Bob Hope, Elke Sommer, Phyllis Diller, Marjorie Lord, Kelly Thordsen, Joyce Jameson, and Harry von Zell
Viva Las Vegas (1964) with Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, and William Demarest
Gidget Goes to Rome (1963) with James Darren, Cindy Carol, Joby Baker, Noreen Corcoran, Lisa Gastoni, Don Porter, and Jeff Donnell
Cleopatra (1963) with Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Hume Cronyn, Martin Landau, and Roddy McDowall
Tender Is the Night (1962) with Jennifer Jones, Jason Robards, Joan Fontaine, Tom Ewell, and Jill St. John
Valley of the Dragons (1961) with Sean McClory, Joan Staley, and Gil Perkins
Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959) with Denny Miller, Joanna Barnes, and Robert Douglas
The Man Who Understood Women (1959) with Leslie Caron, Henry Fonda, Conrad Nagel, and Frank Cady
Catch Me If You Can (1959) with Gilbert Roland, Dina Merrill, Jonathan Harris, and Antonio Moreno
Don't Trifle with Women (1958) with Rossana Podesta and Armando Silvestre
Ces sacrees vacances (1956)
Don Giovanni (1955)
Incatenata dal destino (1955) Crossed Swords (1954) with Errol Flynn and Gina Lollobrigida
L'Eterna Femmina (1954) with Hedy Lamarr
Loves of Three Queens (1954) with Hedy Lamarr and Massimo Serato
Balocchi e Profumi (1953)
La Cavallina Storna (1953)
Processo Contro Ignoti (1952)
Pentimento (1952)
Maschera Nnera (1952)
Yolanda (1952) with May Britt and Marc Lawrence
I Tre Corsari (1952) with Marc Lawrence
El Correo Del Rey (1951)
Cavalcata d'Eroi (1950)
El Final de una Leyenda (1950)
La Figlia del Capitano (1947) with Vittorio Gassman
Monaca santa (1945)

TELEVISION SERIES
Ryan's Hope, 1975-1989 ABC daytime drama. Danova portrayed Silvio Conti from 1988 through the end of the series
Blacke's Magic, 1986 NBC TV series. Danova portrayed Nick
Garrison's Gorillas, 1967-1968 ABC TV series

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
In the Heat of the Night, episode The Law on Trial, originally aired May 19, 1992
In the Heat of the Night, episode Sanctuary, originally aired May 13, 1992
Mission: Impossible, episode The Greek, originally aired February 11, 1989
Hunter, episode Requiem for Sergeant McCall, originally aired February 7, 1987
Murder, She Wrote, episode The Perfect Foil, originally aired April 13, 1986
Magnum, P.I., episode Who Is Don Luis Higgins... and Why Is He Doing These Terrible Things to Me?, originally aired March 20, 1986
Falcon Crest, episode Sharps and Flats, originally aired November 8, 1985
Too Close for Comfort, episode Arrivederci, Jackie, originally aired November 2, 1985
Falcon Crest, episode Ingress and Egress, originally aired November 1, 1985
Airwolf, episode Airwolf II, originally aired October 5, 1985
Hotel, episode Images, originally aired April 3, 1985
Simon & Simon, episode Revolution #9-1/2, originally aired December 13, 1984
Automan, episode Ships in the Night, originally aired January 5, 1984
Matt Houston, episode The Kidnapping, originally aired November 28, 1982
Matt Houston, episode X-22, originally aired September 26, 1982
The Fall Guy, episode No Way Out, originally aired January 6, 1982
The Love Boat, episode The Lady from Laramine/Vicki Swings/Phantom Bride, originally aired November 14, 1981
Fantasy Island, episode Mr. Nobody/La Liberatora, originally aired November 7, 1981
Hart to Hart, episode Solid Gold Murder, originally aired March 24, 1981
Nero Wolfe, episode To Catch a Dead Man, originally aired February 20, 1981
Trapper John, M.D., episode Have I Got a Girl for You, originally aired February 1, 1981
Fantasy Island, episode The Heroine/The Warrior, originally aired January 24, 1981
Vega$, episode Sourdough Suite, originally aired January 14, 1981
The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, episode Mystery on the Orly Express, originally aired March 25, 1980
Eischied, episode The U.N. Connection, originally aired October 12, 1979
Barnaby Jones, episode A Desperate Pursuit, originally aired October 11, 1979
Charlie's Angels, originally aired Terror on Skis, originally aired February 7, 1979
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, episode The Mystery of King Tut's Tomb, originally aired September 25, 1977
Gemini Man, episode Targets, originally aired November 1, 1976
Charlie's Angels, originally aired The Mexican Connection, originally aired September 29, 1976
Chico and the Man, episode The Return of Aunt Connie, originally aired February 18, 1976
Sanford and Son, episode Can You Chop This?, originally aired January 9, 1976
Matt Helm, episode Death Rods, originally aired November 15, 1975
Police Story, episode The Losing Game, originally aired September 30, 1975
Medical Center, episode Half a Life, originally aired March 17, 1975
McCloud, episode Shivaree on Delancy Street, originally aired November 3, 1974
Police Story, episode The Gamble, originally aired March 26, 1974
Mannix, episode Race Against Time: Parts 1 and 2, originally aired January 6 and 13, 1974
Dusty's Trail, episode Magician, originally aired December 4, 1973
McMillan & Wife, episode The Fine Art of Staying Alive, originally aired March 11, 1973
The New Dick Van Dyke Show, episode The 10th Honeymoon, originally aired February 4, 1973
The Sandy Duncan Show, episode Dream a Little Recurring Dream of Me, originally aired December 31, 1972
Mannix, episode Light and Shadow, originally aired December 17, 1972
Night Gallery, episode Smile, Please, originally aired November 12, 1972
Maude, episode Like Mother, Like Daughter, originally aired October 3, 1972
Lassie, episode Paths of Courage, Parts 1 and 2, originally aired February 20 and 27, 1972
The Doris Day Show, episode Cover Girl, originally aired February 21, 1972
Cannon, episode Flight Plan, originally aired December 28, 1971
The New Dick Van Dyke Show, episode The Conductor and the Lady, originally aired November 20, 1971
McMillan & Wife, episode Husbands, Wives, and Killers, originally aired November 10, 1971
The Doris Day Show, episode When in Rome, Don't, originally aired September 27, 1971
The Mod Squad, episode The Girl in Chair Nine, originally aired September 23, 1969
My Friend Tony, episode Wedding Cake Blues, originally aired March 23, 1969
The Name of the Game, episode Lola in Lipstick, originally aired November 8, 1968
That Girl, episode The Face in the Shower Room Door, originally aired November 7, 1968
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., episode The When in Roma Affair, originally aired March 17, 1967
The Green Hornet, episode Corpse of the Year: Parts 1 and 2, originally aired January 13 and 20, 1967
Daniel Boone, episode When a King Is a Pawn, originally aired December 22, 1966
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., episode The Lethal Eagle Affair, originally aired November 29, 1966
Honey West, episode The Gray Lady, originally aired December 10, 1965
Daniel Boone, episode Cain's Birthday: Part 1 and 2, originally aired April 1, and 8, 1965
Bonanza, episode Woman of Fire, originally aired January 17, 1965
Arrest and Trial, episode Birds of a Feather, originally aired April 19, 1964
The Lucy Show, episode Lucy Meets a Millionaire, originally aired March 16, 1964
Breaking Point, episode A Child of the Center Ring, originally aired February 24, 1964
Vacation Playhouse, episode A Love Affair Just for Three, originally aired July 22, 1963
The Rifleman, episode The Guest, originally aired March 11, 1963
Stoney Burke, episode Point of Entry, originally aired March 4, 1963
Alcoa Premiere, episode The Hat of Sergeant Martin, originally aired February 7, 1963
Outlaws, episode The Sooner, originally aired April 27, 1961
Zane Grey Theater, episode The Release, originally aired April 27, 1961
The Roaring 20's, episode Lucky Charm, originally aired February 18, 1961
Adventures in Paradise, episode Treasure Hunt, originally aired January 9, 1961
The Rifleman, episode Baranca, originally aired November 1, 1960
Tales of Wells Fargo, episode Vasquez, originally aired May 16, 1960
Five Fingers, episode Final Dream, originally aired December 5, 1959
The Rifleman, episode Duel of Honor, originally aired November 11, 1958

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Watch the trailer for Cesare Danova's 1963 film Cleopatra