Danny Dayton
Danny Dayton was an American actor and television director. Beginning in the 1950s, he played many roles in film and on TV. He had a recurring role as Hank Pivnik on All in the Family and had guest roles in M*A*S*H, The Incredible Hulk, Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat.
Early years
Dayton was born Daniel David Segall on November 20, 1923, in Jersey City, New Jersey to a Jewish family. He graduated from the school of journalism at New York University, before turning to acting. He formed the first dramatic society at NYU. After he left NYU he joined the Army, helping to entertain troops as a member of Special Services.Career
Danny Dayton's sharp-featured, hawk-nosed face made him a ready candidate for Runyonesque gangster and sharpie roles, often in comedies. His Broadway appearances included Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and I Had a Ball.Dayton's work with television dated back to the 1950s with Milton Berle on Texaco Star Theater. He was also involved with several New-York based TV shows as an actor or staff member: a performer on The Phil Silvers Show, a panelist on the game show Keep Talking; associate producer of Masquerade Party, and straight-man foil to comedians Joey Faye and Mickey Deems on Mack and Myer for Hire. In addition to acting, Dayton also directed episodes of Occasional Wife, Here's Lucy, and the short-lived series Good Morning World.
He was still working as an actor in the 1980s and 1990s.
Personal life and death
Dayton married actress Dagmar in Las Vegas in May 1951; they divorced in 1961. His second marriage, in 1963, to Arlene Allinson lasted the rest of his life; the couple had four children.On August 17, 1960, a vehicle driven by Dayton struck and killed a four-year-old Connecticut girl.
On February 6, 1999, Dayton died of emphysema in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.