David Janssen: The Man Behind Dr. Richard Kimble

In 1967, The Fugitive finale captivated a staggering 78 million viewers who eagerly tuned in to witness Dr. Richard Kimble's pursuit of the infamous one-armed man, the man who killed his wife. But behind the screen, David Janssen, the man who brought Dr. Kimble to life, struggled with something far more elusive—true happiness.

Early Life: A Turbulent Beginning

David's early years were anything but easy. When he was just four, his parents split, leaving him in the care of L.A.’s McKinley Home for Boys for three long years. "Many times, his mother, a former Ziegfeld Follies showgirl, would promise to pick him up, but she just wouldn't show," recounts Mike Phelps, a close friend and co-author of David Janssen: My Fugitive. These formative years left an indelible mark on David, shaping the man he would become.

Discovering Acting: A Path to Stardom

As a teenager, David stumbled upon acting, a passion that would eventually lead him to fame. However, it wasn't until he landed the lead role in TV's Richard Diamond: Private Detective in 1957 that his star truly began to rise. The following year, David married model Ellie Graham in a Las Vegas ceremony. "The first five years were pure bliss," Phelps recalls. But as David's fame skyrocketed internationally, so did Ellie's jealousy and insecurity.

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Romantic Turmoil: Affairs and Divorce

David's marriage eventually unraveled following an affair with Fugitive guest star Suzanne Pleshette. "David was one of the great loves of my life," Suzanne later reflected. "But he had to figure out his life." By the time David's divorce was finalized in 1968, Suzanne had already moved on and married another man.

Second Marriage: A Life of Parties and Isolation

In 1975, David tied the knot with actress Dani Crayne, a socialite known for her extravagant parties. But life with Dani wasn't all glitz and glamour. "He hated it," Phelps reveals. "He had a minibar in his bedroom, and that's where he would retreat." David's heavy drinking—Phelps describes him as a "functioning alcoholic"—and smoking may have contributed to his untimely death from a heart attack at the age of 48 in 1980.

Legacy: Happiness in Work

Despite his personal struggles, David found solace in his work. "He was happiest when he was working," Phelps shares. "He once told me, 'It keeps me out of trouble, especially with my wives.'"

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