Severn Darden; Character Actor

Severn Darden, a character actor who helped found the Compass Players and the Second City troupes in the 1950s, groups that went on to provide some of the newest and brightest talent for films and television, died Friday.

His friend and colleague Avery Schreiber said the veteran of such films as “The President’s Analyst,” “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” “The Last Movie” and “The Hired Hand” was 65 and died of heart failure.

On TV, he was a regular on the series “Forever Fernwood,” a spinoff of the “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” late-night classic, “Story Theatre,” “Beyond Westworld” and other shows in the 1970s and ‘80s.

But his most singular contribution to drama probably was with Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Shelly Berman and Barbara Harris in the original company of the Compass Players.

He also was a founder of the Second City improvisational group in Chicago, many of whose members evolved into the regulars on “Saturday Night Live.” Their work continues to influence comedy of the ‘90s.

Darden also was on Broadway in “The Second City” and “Leda Had a Little Swan.” Among his final appearances was as psychiatrist Noah Wolf in the short-lived George Segal TV series “Take Five.”

Survivors include his wife, Heather, and a son, who asked that contributions be made in his name to Staff Builders Hospice, 826 Camino de Monte Rey, Santa Fe, N.M., 87505.