John Forsythe

Began his contract career as a bit player for Warner Bros. in 1943.

Forsythe was an original member of the Actors Studio in New York City. He appeared in a stage production of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons", directed by Elia Kazan and starred in the original 1953 hit Broadway production of "The Teahouse of the August Moon".

After starring in the movie The Trouble with Harry (1955), he went through a lot of trouble finding starring roles in high-budget box office films, hence, he worked in television.

John Forysthe was born Jacob Lincoln Freund in Penns Grove, New Jersey, the son of Blanche Materson (Blohm) and Samuel Jeremiah Freund, a Wall Street businessman. He chose to pursue acting over the objections of his father. He did some work in radio soaps and on Broadway before signing a movie contract with Warner Bros. His early career was interrupted by World War II. During the war, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps appearing in the Air Corps show "Winged Victory". After the war, he helped found the Actors Studio. He has had the most success on television, with healthy runs on Bachelor Father (1957), Dynasty (1981) and as the unseen voice of Charlie Townsend on Charlie's Angels (1976).

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6549 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

In 1962, Forsythe was one of the actors to have ruled the ranks of other sitcom male lead stars, such as Andy Griffith, Danny Thomas, Alan Young, Robert Young, Fred MacMurray, Buddy Ebsen and Ernest Borgnine.

Was a national officer of the American Cancer Society since the early 1970s.

Served on the Board of Directors of Hollywood Race Track, from 1972, and was still part of the committee.

Originally met Kate Jackson at a race track. She would later star in Charlie's Angels (1976).

Turned down the lead role on Trapper John, M.D. (1979), which went to Pernell Roberts.

Was not the first choice for the role of Blake Carrington on Dynasty (1981). George Peppard was initially cast as Carrington. However, he quit one week into filming the series premiere due to creative differences with the writers. Forsythe auditioned for and was subsequently cast in the role.

Had played Cloris Leachman's son in The Powers That Be (1992), in real-life, Forsythe was 8 years Leachman's senior.

Immediately following the death of his second wife, Julie Warren, in 1994, ex-Dynasty (1981) co-star, Linda Evans lived in Forsythe's guest house for a couple of days.

Signed a $5,000,000 contract deal with the director of Charlie's Angels (2000) and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) to voice the famous voice of Charlie Townsend.

After he provided his voice in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), he retired from acting at age 85.

John Forsythe died on April 1, 2010, six days before his Dynasty (1981) co-star Christopher Cazenove. Forsythe had been diagnosed and treated for colorectal cancer in 2006; he was considered to be in remission at the time of his death. His two siblings both died from what were believed to be smoking-related cancers. His third wife, Nicole Carter, died on May 11, 2010, just five weeks after Forsythe. He was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Santa Barbara, California. Forsythe was survived by three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.