David Wayne
David Wayne (born Wayne James McMeekan, January 30, 1914[1] – February 9, 1995) was an American stage and screen actor with a career spanning over 50 years.
This article is about the actor. For the heavy metal vocalist, see David Wayne (singer).
David Wayne
February 9, 1995 (aged 81)
Actor
1936–1994
3
Theatre World Award (1947)
Tony Award (1947, 1954)
Early life and career[edit]
Wayne was born in Traverse City, Michigan, the son of Helen Matilda (née Mason) and John David McMeekan. His mother died when he was four.[1] He grew up in Bloomingdale, Michigan.
Wayne attended Western Michigan University for two years before working as a statistician in Cleveland. He began acting with Cleveland's Shakesperean repertory theatre in 1936.[2]
When World War II began, Wayne volunteered as an ambulance driver with the British Army in North Africa. When the United States entered the war he joined the United States Army.[2]
Wayne's first major Broadway role was Og the leprechaun in Finian's Rainbow, for which he won the Theatre World Award[3] and the first ever Tony for Actor, Supporting or Featured (Musical).[4] While appearing in the play, he and co-star Albert Sharpe were recruited by producer David O. Selznick to play Irish characters in the film Portrait of Jennie (1948).
In 1948, Wayne was one of 50 applicants (out of approximately 700) granted membership in New York's newly formed Actors Studio.[5]
He was awarded a second Tony for Best Actor (Dramatic) for The Teahouse of the August Moon and was nominated as Best Actor (Musical) for The Happy Time.[4] He originated the role of Ensign Pulver in the classic stage comedy Mister Roberts and also appeared in Say, Darling; After the Fall; and Incident at Vichy.
Personal life[edit]
Wayne was married to Jane Gordon in 1941 and had two daughters and a son. In August 1970, their son disappeared and was presumed drowned during a camping and fishing trip[7][8] Wayne's wife, daughter of opera vocalist Jeanne Gordon, died in 1993.
Wayne was a lifelong Democrat who supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign during the 1952 presidential election.[9]
Death[edit]
On February 9, 1995, Wayne died in his Santa Monica, California, home from complications of lung cancer at the age of 81.[1] His remains were cremated and distributed to his family.
Awards[edit]
Wayne won two Tony Awards, one in 1947 for Finian's Rainbow and one in 1954 for The Teahouse of the August Moon.[1]
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