King Donovan

King Donovan (Francis King Donovan, January 25, 1918 – June 30, 1987) was a versatile American performer whose career spanned film, stage, and television, as well as directing work in both mediums. Born in Manhattan, New York City, he grew up in a traveling vaudeville family, beginning his life on the road at merely three weeks old, and later attended Mt. Joseph School in Buffalo before entering the workforce. His early passion for acting manifested at the Butler Davenport Theater during his teenage years, and after a stint in radio and three years of Air Force service, he returned to the West Coast stage where he honed his craft with the Jitney Players and the Hendrickson Shakespearean Company. Donovan made his film debut in The Man from Texas (1947) and went on to appear in memorable roles such as Jack in the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Solly in The Defiant Ones, and an uncredited but recognizable Rod in Singin' in the Rain. Dissatisfied with the industry, he left film in the late 1950s, yet continued to flourish on television, delivering recurring performances as Jake Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, Roger Baker on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and Herb on Please Don't Eat the Daisies. In 1963 he directed the controversial film Promises! Promises!, notable for featuring Jayne Mansfield’s first mainstream nude scene, and later helmed episodes of the sitcom Grindl. His personal life included a marriage to comedian Imogene Coca in 1960, with whom he shared three children and multiple stage tours; the couple remained together until his death from cancer in Branford, Connecticut in 1987. Across more than three decades of activity (1948‑1984), Donovan left a lasting imprint on mid‑century American entertainment through his dynamic performances and bold directorial choices.