Roy Thinnes (born April 6, 1938) is an American former television and film actor best known for his portrayal of lonely hero David Vincent in the ABC 1967–68 television series The Invaders.
He starred in the 1969 British science fiction film Doppelgänger (a.k.a. Journey to the Far Side of the Sun outside Britain),[1] and also played Manhattan District Attorney Alfred Wentworth in the pilot episode of Law & Order.
Career[]
Early roles[]
His first primetime role was in "A Fist of Five", a 1962 episode of The Untouchables, as a brother of an ex-policeman (played by Lee Marvin). Later that year he appeared in a small role as a cowboy named "Harry" on James Arness's TV Western Gunsmoke ("False Front").
He appeared on General Hospital as the "philandering Dr. Phil Brewer" [2] from 1963 to 1965, which was later described as "Thinnes's big break."[3][4]
In 1964, he guested twice in episodes "Murder by Scandal" and the "Lost Lady Blues" of the 13-episode CBS drama The Reporter.
Later he co-starred as Ben Quick in the short-lived 1965-66 television series The Long Hot Summer, which ran on ABC. During its run he received[3] around 1,500 letters per week and appeared on the cover of TV Guide.[5]
The Invaders[]
During 1967 and 1968, Thinnes starred in The Invaders, a TV series in which he portrayed an architect named David Vincent who accidentally witnessed the arrival of aliens from another planet. Vincent waged a seemingly hopeless one-man campaign against them. The series became a cult classic, leading to other 'aliens vs earthlings' films and TV shows.
His then-future second wife, actress Lynn Loring, appeared in the show's 14th episode, The Panic.[3]
Decades after the unexpected cancellation of the original series, he returned in 1995 as a much older David Vincent, as part of a TV mini-series titled The Invaders (starring Scott Bakula), and a decade later provided audio commentary for the official DVD releases of The Invaders.[6]
The Washington Post noted in 2008 that, although The Invaders "ran for just two seasons ... in 2004, TV Guide placed main character David Vincent at #6 on its 25 Greatest Sci-Fi Legends list."[7]
In 2019, U.S. basic-cable network MeTV began running weekly reruns of The Invaders as part of its popular "Red-Eye Sci-Fi Saturday Night" overnight late Saturday evening and early Sunday morning sci-fi TV series programming schedule.
Post-Invaders[]
In another short-lived series, Thinnes had the lead role on The Psychiatrist as Dr. James Whitman.[8]
"Manhunter" (in which Thinnes tracks a bank robbery suspect) is a TV Film that was broadcast on British TV in 1972 (with The Man Hunter as its title),[9] but was not shown on American TV until 1976.[10] A similar title ("The Manhunter"), but with a different plot,[11] was used for a 1974-filmed TV movie. Thinnes guest starred on Twelve O'Clock High, becoming a casualty of war while commanding a B-17 bomber on a dangerous mission. He played an intrepid writer and investigator of the supernatural David Norliss in 1973's The Norliss Tapes, a pilot for an unproduced TV series, and portrayed a suspicious schoolmaster in the TV movie Satan's School for Girls.
He appeared in the disaster films Airport 1975 as the co-pilot, and The Hindenburg as a sadistic SS captain. Thinnes was cast in Alfred Hitchcock's 1976 film Family Plot in the role of nefarious jeweler Arthur Adamson when Hitchcock's first choice, William Devane, was unavailable. Thinnes had already shot several scenes for the film when Devane suddenly became available. Hitchcock fired Thinnes and re-shot all of his scenes. He confronted Hitchcock in a restaurant and asked the director why he was fired. Flabbergasted, Hitchcock simply looked at Thinnes until the actor left. Some shots of Thinnes as the character (from behind) remain in the film.
Thinnes appeared in the 1979 miniseries From Here to Eternity[12] as Captain Dana Holmes.
During the 1982–1983 season, Thinnes appeared as Nick Hogan in 35 episodes of Falcon Crest. He later played Roger Collins in the 1991 revival of TV's Dark Shadows. He appeared on One Life to Live as Alex Crown from 1984 to 1985, and as Sloan Carpenter from 1992 to 1995. He also played a lead role in "The Final Chapter," the first episode of the 1977 series Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected (known in the United Kingdom as Twist in the Tale), and in "The Crystal Scarab", a first-season episode of Poltergeist: The Legacy in 1996. Thinnes was once considered by Paramount for the role of Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which went to Patrick Stewart.[13]
He appeared in the 1988 pilot episode of Law & Order, "Everybody's Favorite Bagman", as district attorney Alfred Wentworth. By the time the show was picked up in 1990, however, Thinnes was contractually obligated to another TV series (NBC's remake of Dark Shadows), and so his character was replaced with district attorney Adam Schiff, played by Steven Hill. Thinnes made two appearances in The X-Files as Jeremiah Smith, an alien rebel with healing and shape-shifting abilities.
Twice Thinnes appeared on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live playing two different characters. From 1984 to 1985, he played the role of "Alex Crown" and from 1992 to 1995, he played the role of "Gen. Sloan Carpenter". During both of his stints on the show, his characters became a father-in-law to the same character, Cassie Callison.
In 2005, Thinnes co-starred as Dr. Theophile Peyron in the movie The Eyes of Van Gogh about Vincent van Gogh (played by Alexander Barnett, who also wrote and directed) and his voluntary stay in an insane asylum. The movie focuses on Van Gogh's relationships with Dr. Peyron, as well as fellow expressionist Paul Gauguin, and his brother, Theo.
Biography[]
Thinnes was born in Chicago[3] of German descent. After serving in the United States Army, he relocated to California and attended Los Angeles City College.[14][15] He was married to actress Lynn Loring[3] from 1967 to 1984. Loring gave birth to their son Christopher Dylan Thinnes on February 12, 1969,[16] and in 1974 gave birth to their daughter Casey Thinnes.
Thinnes's third wife,[17] actress Catherine Smythe,[18] is the mother of two of his five children.
In 2005, Thinnes married film editor Stephanie Batailler.[19]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | The FBI Story | Party Guest | Uncredited | |
| 1969 | Journey to the Far Side of the Sun | Colonel Glen Ross | ||
| 1970 | The Other Man | Johnny Brant | Television film | |
| 1971 | Black Noon | Reverend John Keyes | ||
| 1972 | The Manhunter | David Farrow | ||
| 1973 | The Horror at 37,000 Feet | Alan O'Neill | ||
| The Norliss Tapes | David Norliss | |||
| Satan's School for Girls | Dr. Joseph Clampett | |||
| Death Race | Arnold McMillan | |||
| Charley One-Eye | The Indian | |||
| 1974 | Airport 1975 | Urias | ||
| 1975 | The Hindenburg | SS/Gestapo Hauptsturmführer Martin Vogel | ||
| 1977 | Secrets | Herb Fleming | Television film | |
| Code Name: Diamond Head | Johnny Paul | |||
| 1979 | The Return of Mod Squad | Dan | ||
| From Here to Eternity | Captain Dana Holmes | Television miniseries | [12] | |
| 1981 | Scruples | Bennett Hall | [20] | |
| Freedom | Michael | Television film | ||
| Sizzle | Wheeler | |||
| 1987 | Mind Benders | Principal Borden | ||
| 1989 | Rush Week | Dean Grail | ||
| Passport to Terror | Jimmy | Television film | ||
| 1990 | Blue Bayou | Barry Fontenot | ||
| 1991 | An Inconvenient Woman | Sims Lord | Television miniseries | |
| 1992 | Lady Against the Odds | P.L. Storrs | Television film | |
| Stormy Weathers | Andrew Chase | |||
| 1995 | The Invaders | David Vincent | Television miniseries | |
| 1996 | Terminal | John Cabot | Television film | |
| 2000 | Bar Hopping | Man with Cassandra | ||
| 2001 | A Beautiful Mind | Governor | ||
| 2005 | The Eyes of Van Gogh | Dr. Peyron | ||
| 2006 | Undone | |||
| Spectropia | Franklin DeMott | |||
| 2007 | Broken English | Peter Andrews |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Cavalcade of America | Mickey Hubbard | Episode: "Chicago 2-1-2" | |
| 1958 | Peter Gunn | Roy Davidson | Episode: "The Man with the Scar" | |
| 1959 | Steve Canyon | Officer Weber | Episode: "Room 313" | |
| 1962–1963 | Gunsmoke | Harry / Ab Singleton | 2 episodes | |
| The Untouchables | Denny Brannon / Red Thomas | |||
| 1963 | Ripcord | Radioman | Episode: "Semper Paratus Any Time" | |
| The Eleventh Hour | David Dunlear | Episode: "Something Crazy's Going on in the Back Room" | ||
| Death Valley Days | Jim | Episode: "Shadow of Violence" | ||
| 1963–1965 | General Hospital | Dr. Phil Brewer | Series regular | |
| 1964 | The Reporter | Detective Lieutenant Lee Roberts | 2 episodes | |
| 1965–1966 | 12 O'Clock High | Major Jake Hays / Captain Paul Pridie | ||
| The Long, Hot Summer | Ben Quick | Main cast; 26 episodes | ||
| 1966 | The F.B.I. | Larry Drake | Episode: "The Escape" | |
| The Fugitive | Carl Crandall | Episode: "Wine Is a Traitor" | ||
| 1967–1968 | The Invaders | David Vincent | Lead role; 43 episodes | |
| 1970–1971 | The Psychiatrist | Dr. James Whitman | Lead role; 7 episodes | [8] |
| 1977 | Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected | Frank Harris | Episode: "The Final Chapter" | |
| 1978 | Battlestar Galactica | Croft | 2 episodes | |
| 1979 | Supertrain | Senator J. J. Phillips / Eddie Barnes | Episode: "Hail to the Chief" | |
| Stone | Detective Cliff Bell | Episode: "Pilot" | ||
| 1980 | From Here to Eternity | Captain Dana Holmes | Main cast; 11 episodes | |
| 1982–1983 | Falcon Crest | Nick Hogan | Recurring role; 20 episodes | |
| 1984 | Hotel | John White | Episode: "Memories" | |
| The Love Boat | Buzz McClaine | Episode: "Country Blues / A Matter of Taste / Frat Brothers Forever" | ||
| 1984–1995 | One Life to Live | Alex Crown / General Sloan Carpenter | Series regular | |
| 1985–1991 | Murder, She Wrote | Lt. Ted Misko / Sheriff Howard Landry / J.K. Davern | 3 episodes | |
| 1986 | Highway to Heaven | Howard Sellers | Episode: "Oh Lucky Man" | |
| 1987 | 1st & Ten | Teddy Schrader | Recurring role; 6 episodes | [21] |
| The Law & Harry McGraw | George Bellamy | Episode: "State of Art" | ||
| 1990 | War of the Worlds | Van Order | Episode: "Video Messiah" | |
| 1990–1999 | Law & Order | D.A. Alfred Wentworth / Victor Panatti / Mr. Kushner | 3 episodes | |
| 1991 | Dark Shadows | Roger Collins / Reverend Trask | Main cast; 12 episodes | |
| P.S. I Luv U | Larry Benton | Episode: "The Honeymooners" | ||
| 1992 | FBI: The Untold Stories | Agent Jim Theisen | Episode: "D.B. Cooper / The McCoy Hijacking" | |
| 1995 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Colonel Dayton | Episode: "Case Closed" | |
| 1996 | Poltergeist: The Legacy | Clayton Wallace | Episode: "The Crystal Scarab" | |
| Touched by an Angel | Senator Guy Hammond | Episode: "Secret Service" | ||
| 1996–2001 | The X-Files | Jeremiah Smith | Recurring role; 3 episodes | |
| 1997 | Players | Logan Cates | Episode: "Con Job" | [22] |
| 2000 | The Sopranos | Dr. Baumgartner | Episode: "House Arrest" | |
| D.C. | Fred Hamilton | Episode: "Guns and Roses" | ||
| 2001 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Sheridan Beckworth | Episode: "The Faithful" | |
| 2002 | Oz | Leader of Aryan Brotherhood | Episode: "Good Intentions" | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Curtis Johansen | Episode: "Greed" | ||
| 2006 | Conviction | Ralph Hanlon | Episode: "Deliverance" |
References[]
- ↑ Thompson, Howard (November 12, 1969). "'Journey to Far Side of Sun' Opens". The New York Times.
- ↑ Browne, Ray (June 15, 2001). "The Guide to United States Popular Culture". Amazon.com. Popular Press 3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Bowie, Stephen. "The Invaders: The Nightmare Has Already Begun".
- ↑ "Thinnes's big break came in the form of a two-year stint on General Hospital, starting in 1963.
- ↑ (April 9–15, 1966 issue)
- ↑ King, Susan (November 12, 1995). "Retro : Thinnes' Invaders is thick with new sightings". Los Angeles Times. "We were prepared to go on for a third season ... ratings were fairly respectable at that time."
- ↑ Deusner, Stephen (June 11, 2008). "They're on Your TV!: 'The Invaders'". The Washington Post.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gent, George (September 7, 1970). "TV Will Drip Social Significance". The New York Times.
- ↑ "The Man Hunter (1972)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. "Alternative title: The Manhunter"
- ↑ "Television". The New York Times (July 24, 1776).
- ↑ "Hunting Down "The Manhunter""" (March 24, 2016). Retrieved on September 1, 2019.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Buckley, Tom (February 14, 1979). "TV: New 'Here to Eternity' on NBC". The New York Times.
- ↑ "STAR TREK/Casting". LettersOfNote.com. Retrieved on March 25, 2010.
- ↑ "Roy Thinnes bio". RoyThinnes.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022.
- ↑ "Distinguished Alumni (Entertainment Industry)". Los Angeles City College Foundation.
- ↑ "Toledo Blade".
- ↑ 1987-2001
- ↑ Ryon, Ruth (March 9, 1997). "De Niro leases house for $30,000 a month". The Orlando Sentinel.
- ↑ "Roy Thinnes marries film editor Stephanie Batailler". Soap Opera World. Retrieved on March 16, 2015.
- ↑ "TV Weekend: Scruples". The New York Times (May 22, 1981).
- ↑ O'Connor, John (August 19, 1987). "TV Review: 'FIRST AND 10,' HBO Football sitcom". The New York Times.
- ↑ James, Caryn (October 17, 1997). "Television Review: Rogues in Cahoots With the F.B.I.". The New York Times.
External links[]
- Official site (archived)
- Roy Thinnes at Wikipedia
- Roy Thinnes at the Internet Movie Database
- Roy Thinnes at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
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