'MacGyver' Actor Dana Elcar Dies at 77 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-10-2005, 10:56 AM

'MacGyver' Actor Dana Elcar Dies at 77

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) - Actor Dana Elcar, whose role as Peter Thornton on ABC's adventure series "MacGyver" depicted his real-life struggle with glaucoma and blindness, has died. He was 77.

He died Monday of complications from pneumonia at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

Richard Dean Anderson, who played MacGyver, recalled working with Elcar.

"At a time when I had very little business being called an actor, he made things so easy for me," Anderson told the Times. "It was a learning experience that was very warm and loving for all seven years."

Elcar told producers he was going blind after four seasons with "MacGyver," but they simply adapted his character to match his medical condition.

"The fact that you are losing your eyesight does not mean you have forgotten how to act," Elcar, in a speech to the National Federation of the Blind in 1991, recalled producers telling him.

The show ended a year later, when he had become almost completely blind.

Elcar's television career spanned 50 years. He played in other drama series, including "Baretta" opposite Robert Blake and the Robert Conrad series "Black Sheep Squadron."

The actor also appeared in at least 40 films, including "The Sting,""2010,""All of Me" and "The Learning Tree."

"'The Learning Tree' was a big turning point for him, and a good performance in his mind," said his son, Dane Elcar. "He played a really bad guy really well."

Elcar also starred in off-Broadway plays, including the first American productions of Harold Pinter's "The Dumb Waiter" and "The Caretaker," Dylan Thomas'"Under Milk Wood" and Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot."

Running away from home in Ferndale, Mich., at age 13 may have led Elcar to an acting career.

He and a friend tried to catch a ride on a train to Detroit, but Elcar missed it because he couldn't run fast enough. So he spent the night in a town far from home, watching "Citizen Kane" at an all-night theater.

"That kind of sparked him to be an actor. He watched it four or five times in one night," his son said. In addition to his son, Elcar is survived by three daughters, Nora Elcar Verdon, Chandra Elcar and Marin Elcar; a stepdaughter, Emily Prager; a sister, Marie E. Hewitt; a half-sister, Janet K. Melville; longtime companion Thelma M. Garcia; and a granddaughter.

Stormtracker TF · 06-10-2005, 03:54 PM

Wow, Dana Elcar ruled so much.

Rest In Peace, Dana Elcar. You will always be THE MAN.

Chad22 · 06-10-2005, 03:58 PM

R.I.P. Dana Elcar

Mr. Television · 06-10-2005, 04:02 PM

This is so sad. He was such a great actor and how he handled his blindness was remarkable. R.I.P. Dana.

Ravey · 06-10-2005, 04:26 PM

RIP Dana Elcar.

You were a great actor and you will be missed.

Cactus Jack · 06-10-2005, 04:32 PM

RIP Dana Elcar

.:BF:. · 06-10-2005, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.F. Storm

Wow, Dana Elcar ruled so much.

Rest In Peace, Dana Elcar. You will always be THE MAN.

Dana Elcar was a very good man indeed, he will be missed. R.I.P

PZelda · 06-10-2005, 04:45 PM

I can remember watching MacGyver when I was extremely young and it was still in its first run. I didn't see a lot of it after it ended and it wasn't til it came back to TV Land that I started watching again.

I always did like Dana. Rest in peace.

.:BF:. · 06-10-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeAvEr FaN

Dana Elcar was a very good man indeed, he will be missed. R.I.P

it's hard to believe Dana Elcar is really gone, it seemed like he would live forever.

ClassicSitcomsGirl · 06-10-2005, 04:52 PM

R.I.P

Mr. Television · 06-10-2005, 06:06 PM

Here's another picture of Mac and Pete.

Elvis Fonzie Dean · 06-10-2005, 06:09 PM

This sucks.He is one of my favorite actors and is hilarious.

dandelion wine · 06-10-2005, 08:11 PM

Damn, I can't believe it.

Rest in peace, Mr. Elcar.

Skywalker · 06-10-2005, 08:14 PM

I'm shocked. I always liked him on MacGyver. R.I.P. Dana.

robyrob · 06-10-2005, 08:32 PM

R.I.P. Dana Elcar

a true hero, and a great actor.

06-10-2005, 10:56 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,389	'MacGyver' Actor Dana Elcar Dies at 77 'MacGyver' Actor Dana Elcar Dies at 77 VENTURA, Calif. (AP) - Actor Dana Elcar, whose role as Peter Thornton on ABC's adventure series "MacGyver" depicted his real-life struggle with glaucoma and blindness, has died. He was 77. He died Monday of complications from pneumonia at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. Richard Dean Anderson, who played MacGyver, recalled working with Elcar. "At a time when I had very little business being called an actor, he made things so easy for me," Anderson told the Times. "It was a learning experience that was very warm and loving for all seven years." Elcar told producers he was going blind after four seasons with "MacGyver," but they simply adapted his character to match his medical condition. "The fact that you are losing your eyesight does not mean you have forgotten how to act," Elcar, in a speech to the National Federation of the Blind in 1991, recalled producers telling him. The show ended a year later, when he had become almost completely blind. Elcar's television career spanned 50 years. He played in other drama series, including "Baretta" opposite Robert Blake and the Robert Conrad series "Black Sheep Squadron." The actor also appeared in at least 40 films, including "The Sting,""2010,""All of Me" and "The Learning Tree." "'The Learning Tree' was a big turning point for him, and a good performance in his mind," said his son, Dane Elcar. "He played a really bad guy really well." Elcar also starred in off-Broadway plays, including the first American productions of Harold Pinter's "The Dumb Waiter" and "The Caretaker," Dylan Thomas'"Under Milk Wood" and Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot." Running away from home in Ferndale, Mich., at age 13 may have led Elcar to an acting career. He and a friend tried to catch a ride on a train to Detroit, but Elcar missed it because he couldn't run fast enough. So he spent the night in a town far from home, watching "Citizen Kane" at an all-night theater. "That kind of sparked him to be an actor. He watched it four or five times in one night," his son said. In addition to his son, Elcar is survived by three daughters, Nora Elcar Verdon, Chandra Elcar and Marin Elcar; a stepdaughter, Emily Prager; a sister, Marie E. Hewitt; a half-sister, Janet K. Melville; longtime companion Thelma M. Garcia; and a granddaughter.

06-10-2005, 03:54 PM	#2
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	Wow, Dana Elcar ruled so much. Rest In Peace, Dana Elcar. You will always be THE MAN.
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06-10-2005, 04:02 PM	#4
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	This is so sad. He was such a great actor and how he handled his blindness was remarkable. R.I.P. Dana. Attached Images
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06-10-2005, 04:32 PM	#6
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP Dana Elcar
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06-10-2005, 04:45 PM	#8
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	I can remember watching MacGyver when I was extremely young and it was still in its first run. I didn't see a lot of it after it ended and it wasn't til it came back to TV Land that I started watching again. I always did like Dana. Rest in peace.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

06-10-2005, 03:58 PM	#3
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,661	R.I.P. Dana Elcar

06-10-2005, 04:26 PM	#5
Ravey Member Forum Icon Join Date: Apr 02, 2003 Posts: 53,025	RIP Dana Elcar. You were a great actor and you will be missed.

06-10-2005, 04:52 PM	#10
ClassicSitcomsGirl My Nicky Frequent Poster Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: WJM/Back of the A-Team van/CSI:LV Lab Posts: 160	R.I.P Attached Images
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06-10-2005, 06:06 PM	#11
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	Here's another picture of Mac and Pete. Attached Images

06-10-2005, 06:09 PM	#12
Elvis Fonzie Dean Member Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: theUSofA Posts: 16,671	This sucks.He is one of my favorite actors and is hilarious.
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06-10-2005, 08:11 PM	#13
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,964	Damn, I can't believe it. Rest in peace, Mr. Elcar.

06-10-2005, 08:14 PM	#14
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,205	I'm shocked. I always liked him on MacGyver. R.I.P. Dana.

06-10-2005, 08:32 PM	#15
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,162	R.I.P. Dana Elcar a true hero, and a great actor.
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