Don MacLaughlin

William Donald MacLaughlin (November 24, 1906 - May 28, 1986) was an American actor. The son of a doctor,[1] MacLaughlin was born November 24, 1906, in Webster, Iowa. He studied speech and English at Iowa Wesleyan University, Northwestern University, and the University of Arizona.[2]

Don MacLaughlin
Born(1906-11-24)November 24, 1906
Webster, Iowa, U.S.
DiedMay 28, 1986(1986-05-28) (aged 79)
Goshen, Connecticut, U.S.
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Mary Prugh
Children3

Television

MacLaughlin originated the role of lawyer Chris Hughes on As the World Turns in 1956, and played the role until his death in 1986. Contract negotiations kept him (and his on-screen wife Helen Wagner) off the soap for most of the early 1980s, but the show finally welcomed the two back in a big storyline with heavy uses of past clips from the show. In the story, Chris and his wife Nancy were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. In real life, As the World Turns was celebrating its thirtieth anniversary on the air.

MacLaughlin also was a member of the cast of Gang Busters.[3]

Radio

Prior to TV, MacLaughlin was active on radio, beginning in 1933.[4] He starred as the title character on radio's David Harding, Counterspy in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1945, he joined the cast of The Romance of Helen Trent, in the role of Dwight Swanson, "a rancher who becomes interested in Helen Trent."[4] MacLaughlin's other roles on radio included those listed in the table below.

ProgramRole
As the Twig Is Bent Kit Collins[5]
Chaplain JimChaplain Jim[5]:54
The Road of LifeDr. Jim Brent[5]:285
Tennessee JedTennessee Jed Sloan[5]:328
The Zane Grey TheaterTex Throne[5]:364

He was also in the cast of Buck Private and His Girl.[5]:54

Stage

MacLaughlin appeared in a 1948 Broadway production of Thornton Wilder's play, The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden[6][7] and in Virginia Reel (1947)[8] and The Fifth Column (1940).[9]

Personal life

MacLaughlin married Mary Prugh, a newspaperwoman. They had three children.[2]

Death

After a brief illness, Maclaughlin died on May 28, 1986, at his daughter's home in Goshen, Connecticut,[10] and is buried in Dover, Vermont.

References
  1. "'As World Turns' Marks 20th Year". The Bee. Virginia, Danville. March 29, 1976. p. 26. Retrieved May 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Biography: Don MacLaughlin". The Daily Standard. Missouri, Sikeston. June 24, 1972. p. 13. Retrieved May 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Sterling, Christopher H. (2004). Encyclopedia of Radio (PDF). New York City, New York: Fitzroy Dearborn. pp. 644–645. ISBN 1-57958-249-4. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  4. "New Stars Join WHP "Romance of Helen Trent" Cast". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. February 17, 1945. p. 15. Retrieved May 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 70.
  6. Don MacLaughlin profile, IBNDB.com; accessed October 16, 2014.
  7. Francis, Bob (March 27, 1948). "Broadway Openings" (PDF). Billboard. p. 45. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  8. "Don MacLaughlin". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  9. Burr, Eugene (March 16, 1940). "New Plays on Broadway" (PDF). Billboard. p. 16. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  10. "Soap actor Don MacLaughlin dies". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. Associated Press. June 3, 1986. p. 2. Retrieved May 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.


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