George Dolenz (born Jure Dolenc; akas: Giorgio Dolenz and George Dolentz; January 5, 1908  – February 8, 1963) was an American film actor born in Trieste (then part of Austria-Hungary, now Italy), in the city's Slovene community.[citation needed]

George Dolenz
Dolenz in Vendetta (1950)
Born
Jure Dolenc

(1908-01-05)January 5, 1908
DiedFebruary 8, 1963(1963-02-08) (aged 55)
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, U.S.
Other namesGiorgio Dolenz
George Dolentz
OccupationActor
Years active1941–1963
Spouse
(m. 1943)
Children4, including Micky Dolenz
RelativesAmi Dolenz (granddaughter)[1]

Biography

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Under the name Giorgio Dolenz (Slovene: Jure Dolenc), he emigrated to the United States via Cuba, arriving by steamship at the port of Key West, Florida, in October 1934. By 1937, Dolenz was in Hollywood and working as a waiter.[citation needed] After appearing in small parts in B movies, he graduated to supporting roles. Following the end of World War II, Dolenz became a leading man under contract to RKO Pictures under Howard Hughes. However, the failure of the feature film Vendetta in 1950 resulted in his return to character and supporting parts for other studios, including MGM's The Last Time I Saw Paris as the husband of Donna Reed's character.

He was cast as the star of the 1956 ITC Entertainment 39-episode television series The Count of Monte Cristo as title character Edmond Dantes.

On April 21, 1958, Dolenz played Count Peter Von Gilsa in the episode "The Outlander" of the NBC Western television series The Restless Gun.[2]

In 1959, he portrayed Colonel Gutterez in "The Town Is a Prisoner" episode of the NBC Western series Cimarron City.

Dolenz played Juan Amontillo in the 1961 episode "The Uncourageous" of the ABC Western series The Rebel. That same year, he played Ramon Ortega in the "Brand of Honesty" episode of the NBC Western series The Deputy. His last role was playing Eduard D'Arcy in the season 4 episode 20 of Bonanza titled "Marie, My Love" aired February 10, 1963.

Dolenz married actress Janelle Johnson and they had four children: actor and singer Micky Dolenz (George Michael Dolenz) of the 1960s musical band the Monkees, Gemma "Coco" Dolenz, Gina Dolenz and Debbie Dolenz. [3]

Dolenz died of a heart attack in 1963 at the age of 55. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.[citation needed]

Partial filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1941 Unexpected Uncle George, Colony Club Headwaiter Uncredited
1942 Take a Letter, Darling Assistant Headwaiter Uncredited
1943 No Time for Love Captain of Waiters Uncredited
Young Ideas Pepe
Fired Wife Oscar Blix
The Strange Death of Adolf Hitler Herman Marbach
She's for Me Phil Norwin
Moonlight in Vermont Lionel Devereau
1944 Resisting Enemy Interrogation Capt. Volbricht Uncredited
In Society Count Alexis
The Climax Amato Roselli
Bowery to Broadway George Henshaw
Enter Arsène Lupin Dubose
1945 Song of the Sarong Kalo
Easy to Look At Antonio
The Royal Mounted Rides Again Constable 'Frenchy' Moselle Serial
1946 Girl on the Spot Leon Lorenz
Idea Girl Wilfred Potts
Night in Paradise Frigid Ambassador
1947 Song of Scheherazade Pierre, the Headwaiter
1950 Vendetta Lt. Orso Antonio della Rabia
1952 My Cousin Rachel Guido Rainaldi
1953 Scared Stiff Mr. Cortega
Wings of the Hawk Col. Paco Ruiz
1954 The Last Time I Saw Paris Claude Matine
Sign of the Pagan Emperor Theodosius
1955 The Racers Count Salem
A Bullet for Joey Dr. Carl Macklin
The Purple Mask Marcel Cadonal
1957 The Sad Sack Ali Mustapha
1958 The Restless Gun Peter VonGilsa Episode "The Outlander"
1959 Timbuktu Colonel Charles Dufort
1961 Look in Any Window Carlo
1962 Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Gen. von Kleig

References

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  1. ^ Cozad, W. Lee. More Magnificent Mountain Movies. W. Lee Cozad. p. 308. ISBN 0-9723372-3-7.
  2. ^ "The Outlander," The Restless Gun, DVD, Timeless Media Group
  3. ^ Rix, Juliet (August 14, 2015). "Micky Dolenz: my family values". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
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