Danny Dayton; Actor, TV Ads Director
Danny Dayton, actor and director who played the character Hank Pivnik on television’s top-rated “All in the Family” and Rusty Charlie in the motion picture version of “Guys and Dolls,” has died. He was 75.
Dayton, an award-winning director of commercials featuring celebrities, died Saturday of emphysema at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
A native of Jersey City, N.J., Dayton graduated from New York University’s school of journalism and fought in World War II before beginning his entertainment career on Broadway. He replaced Zero Mostel in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and went on to tour with the musical and direct its touring production.
Other Broadway credits include “High Button Shoes,” “Detective Story,” “At War With the Army” and “I Had a Ball.”
The versatile actor soon turned to motion pictures, including the 1955 “Guys and Dolls,” “Love at First Bite” with George Hamilton in 1979, “The Sting II” with Jackie Gleason in 1982 and “Ed Wood” with Johnny Depp in 1994.
Besides sparring with Archie Bunker from 1977 to 1981, Dayton had a long run on television, from “Texaco Star Theater” with Milton Berle in the 1950s through “Dallas” and “MASH” to recent series, including “Friends,” “Caroline in the City,” “Mad About You” and “The Nanny.”
He directed shows for television as well, including “The Lucy Show,” “Good Morning World” and “Masquerade Party,” which he also produced.
His directing of commercials--notably Buddy Hackett’s spots for Lay’s Potato Chips--earned him three Clio Awards, the Cannes Film Festival Award, McMahon’s Best 100 and the Andy Award for Excellence. Dayton also directed commercials starring Sid Caesar, Milton Berle and himself.
For the stage, Dayton directed productions of “Oklahoma!” starring Gordon MacRae, “Guys and Dolls” with Betty Grable, “Many Happy Returns,” “They’re Playing Our Song,” “The Pleasure of His Company” and “Never Too Late.”
Dayton was involved in the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. and helped develop its Love Network. He also was a co-founder and vice president of the Synagogue for the Performing Arts.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Arlene; four children, Charles and Terri Dayton and Robin and Jeff Smalley, and two grandchildren.
The family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. Planned Giving Department, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, Ariz. 85718.