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Donald Alan Diamond (June 4, 1921 – June 19, 2011) was an American radio, film, and television actor who portrayed "Crazy Cat", the sidekick and heir apparent to Chief Wild Eagle on the popular 1960s television sitcom, F Troop (1965–1967). He also co-starred as "El Toro", the sidekick of Bill Williams' main character of Kit Carson in 105 episodes of the popular early television series, The Adventures of Kit Carson, from 1951 to 1955 .
Don Diamond | |
|---|---|
 Diamond in Raiders of Old California | |
| Born | Donald Alan Diamond June 4, 1921 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 19, 2011 (aged 90) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1949–1987 |
| Spouse |
Louisa Diamond (m. 1966) |
| Children | 3 |
Early years
editDon Diamond was born in New York City on June 4, 1921.[1] His father, Benjamin, emigrated to the United States from Russia in 1906 with his parents. Benjamin Diamond served in the United States Army in World War I and then became a prosperous clothing merchant. Benjamin and Ruth Diamond had another son, Neal, three years younger than Don, and a daughter, Muriel, nine years younger than Don.
Diamond graduated from the University of Michigan, with a degree in drama supplemented by studies in Spanish. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He studied Spanish further while he was stationed in the Southwest.[1]
Career
editDischarged in 1946 as a first lieutenant, he began acting on radio and became known for his dialect portrayals of Spaniards and Mexicans.[citation needed] He played El Toro in The Adventures of Kit Carson[2] syndicated television series (1951–1955). Diamond also played Corporal Reyes on the Walt Disney television series Zorro and Crazy Cat on F Troop.[3] In 1968, Diamond appeared as Diego on The Big Valley in the episode titled "Miranda." [citation needed]
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He appeared on more than 100 television shows and in many feature films. He performed extensive voice-over work in commercials and cartoons, most notably as the voice of Toro in the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises cartoon series Tijuana Toads.
On radio, Diamond was heard on the NBC crime drama Confession.[4]
Death
editDiamond died due to heart failure in Los Angeles, California, on June 19, 2011, at age 90.[1]
Personal
editHis wife, Louisa, was a teacher.[citation needed]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | The Lone Ranger | Pedro | Episode #7, Pete and Pedro |
| 1950 | Borderline | Deusik | |
| 1957 | Omar Khayyam | Trooper Captain | Uncredited |
| 1957 | Raiders of Old California | Pepe | |
| 1957 | Mr. Adams and Eve | Episode: "Man with Raven" | |
| 1957-1959 | Zorro | Corporal Reyes / Lancer Hivarro | 52 episodes |
| 1958 | Fräulein | Russian Soldier | Uncredited |
| 1958 | The Old Man and the Sea | Cafe Proprietor | |
| 1959 | Holiday for Lovers | Airplane Steward | Uncredited |
| 1960 | The Story of Ruth | Yomar | |
| 1961 | Swingin' Along | Tony | |
| 1961 | Man-Trap | Mexican Border Guard | Uncredited |
| 1961 | Rawhide | Mexican Cowhand | S3:E11, "Incident of the Broken Word" |
| 1963 | Irma la Douce | Man with Samples | Uncredited |
| 1963 | Fun in Acapulco | Waiter | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Rawhide | Tony | |
| 1964 | The Carpetbaggers | Gambler | Uncredited |
| 1965-1967 | F Troop | Crazy Cat / Crazy Kat / Brave | 50 episodes |
| 1966 | The Dick Van Dyke Show | Gonzales | Episode #147, Remember the Alimony[5] |
| 1968 | How Sweet It Is! | Bartender | |
| 1969 | Viva Max! | Hernandez | |
| 1969 | Get Smart | Goldmouth | Episode #117, The Treasure of C. Errol Madre |
| 1970 | Mrs. Pollifax-Spy | DeGamez | |
| 1972 | Pete 'n' Tillie | Policeman | Uncredited |
| 1972 | Hit Man | Nano Zito | |
| 1973 | Breezy | Maitre'D | |
| 1978 | The Toolbox Murders | Sgt. Cameron | |
| 1978 | The Rockford Files | Coelho | |
| 1980 | Herbie Goes Bananas | Local #2 |
References
edit- ^ a b c Slotnik, Daniel E. (June 25, 2011). "Don Diamond, Character Actor, Is Dead at 90". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ II, Clint C. Wilson; Gutierrez, Felix; Chao, Lena (August 28, 2003). Racism, Sexism, and the Media: The Rise of Class Communication in Multicultural America. SAGE. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7619-2516-3. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ Reinhold, Toni (March 13, 1987). "Gish and Marsh starred in Griffith's 'Birth of a Nation'". Mason Valley News. Nevada, Yerington. p. 37. Retrieved February 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dunning, John (May 7, 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-19-977078-6. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ Nick at Nite's Classic TV Companion, edited by Tom Hill, © 1996 by Viacom International, p. 174