Danny Dayton

• Name — Danny Dayton • Birth Name — Daniel David Segall • Born — 20 November 1923 • Birthplace — Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. • Died — 6 February 1999 • Place of death — Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Other Names — Dan Dayton • Occupation — Actor, television director • Years Active — 1949–1999 • Spouse — Dagmar (1951-1961) Arlene Allinson (1963-1999) (his death) • Illustration — Panelists on TV game show Keep Talking (1959). From top: Merv Griffin, Morey Amsterdam, Audrey Meadows and Danny Dayton

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 (NYU), 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.

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 (1950), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962, later replacing star Zero Mostel), and I Had a Ball (1964). 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 (Police Squad, The Nanny, Friends, etc.).

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 February 6, 1999, Dayton died of emphysema in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

Dayton's work in directing TV commercials brought him three Clio Awards, the Cannes Film Festival Award, McMahon's Best 100, and the Addy Award for Excellence.

• Film • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1950 — At War with the Army — Supply Sgt. Miller — A Martin & Lewis comedy; credited as Dan Dayton • 1951 — The Enforcer — Digger — Uncredited • 1951 — No Questions Asked — Harry Dycker • 1952 — The Turning Point — Roy Ackerman • 1955 — Guys and Dolls — Rusty Charlie • 1970 — Which Way to the Front? — Man in Car — A Jerry Lewis comedy • 1978 — Loose Shoes — Bartender — Alternative titles: Coming Attractions and Quackers • 1979 — Love At First Bite — Billy, first bellboy • 1981 — Circle of Power — David Arnold • 1983 — The Sting II — Ring Announcer • 1985 — Appointment with Fear — Norman • 1987 — Flicks — Ogden Flood — (segment 'House of the Living Corpse') • 1991 — The Dark Backward — Syd • Life Stinks — Dirty Bum at Party • Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever — Mr. Snotgrass • 1994 — Ed Wood — Soundman • Television • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1950 — Joey Faye's Frolics — Himself — 2 episodes • 1956–1958 — The Phil Silvers Show — Sergeant Coogan — 7 episodes • 1969 — The United States Steel Hour — Mr. Doyle — 1 episode • 1965 — The Nurses — Pete — 1 episode • 1967 — Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. — Clarence Quimby — 1 episode • 1969 — Get Smart — Cabbie — 1 episode • 1975 — Barney Miller — Harry — 1 episode • 1976 — Sanford and Son — Timmy — 1 episode • 1976–1979 — All in the Family — Hank Pivnik — 15 episodes • 1977–1979 — Barnaby Jones — Sammy / Freddy — 2 episodes • 1978 — Wonder Woman — Louis the Lithuanian — 1 episode • 1979–1980 — Archie Bunker's Place — Hank Pivnik — 10 episodes • 1980 — The Incredible Hulk — Skipper — 1 episode • 1981 — CHiPs — Kelly — 1 episode • M*A*S*H — Fast Freddie — 1 Story 2 episodes That's Show Biz • 1982 — Police Squad! — Joey — 1 episode • Hart To Hart — Butler — 1 episode • 1984 — Automan — Bookie — 1 episode • Airwolf — Sam the Counterman — 1 episode • 1985 — Simon & Simon — Jeweler Joe Wilson — 1 episode • 1986 — You Again? — Herb — 1 episode • The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents — Buzzy Carelli — 1 episode • Sledge Hammer! — Assassin with knife — 1 episode • 1988 — The Hogan Family — Stu — 1 episode • The Facts of Life — Mr. Avery — 1 episode • 1988–1989 — It's Garry Shandling's Show — Mr. Peck — 4 episodes • 1989 — Mama's Family — Shecky Lewis — 1 episode • 1990 — Father Dowling Mysteries — Harvey Gorsky — 1 episode • 1992 — Down the Shore — Jackie — 1 episode • 1995 — ER — Art — 1 episode • Friends — Buddy Doyle — 1 episode • 1996 — Sisters — Morty Meyerhoff — 1 episode • Caroline in the City — Leo Ladman — 1 episode • 1997 — The Nanny — Keith Rosenstein — 1 episode • Mad About You — Old Man #1 — 1 episode • Mike Hammer, Private Eye — Laddie Buck — 1 episode • 1999 — Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane — Uncle Sy — 1 episode, (final appearance)