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Dana Elcar
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Dana Elcar

Dana Elcar (born 1927 in Ferndale, Michigan; died 2005 in Ventura, California) was an American television and movie character actor. Although he appeared in about 40 films, his most memorable role was as Peter Thornton, an administrator working in the Phoenix Foundation on the 1980's television series MacGyver. Elcar had supporting roles in The Sting, 2010: Odyssey Two, All of Me, and The Learning Tree, he also had a recurrent role in the popular 1970s television series Baa Baa Black Sheep, among others including Dark Shadows in which he played Sheriff Patterson #1.

Dana was a student of legendary acting coach Sanford Meisner. He brought this education to bear when in 1986, with fellow character actor William Lucking, he formed the Santa Paula Theater Center. Elcar sat as artistic director for six years.

In 1991, Elcar began to develop glaucoma, a degenerative condition of the eyes that causes blindness. This condition was written into the show, MacGyver, and Elcar's character also developed the disease. Now blind he took on the challenge of playing Vladimir in Waiting for Godot complete with white cane. This was his theatrical swan song and he retired in 1992. His death resulted from complications with pneumonia at the Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California. He is survived by his son, Dane Elcar, his three daughters, a stepdaughter, his sister, his half-sister and his long-time partner, Thelma M. Garcia.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2005.

Dana Elcar Facts

Birth NameIbson Dana Elcar
OccupationActor
BirthdayOctober 10, 1927
SignLibra
BirthplaceFerndale, Michigan, USA
Date of deathJune 6, 2005 (Ventura, California, USA, age 77)

Selected Filmography

Not available.