John Davidson (entertainer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other persons named John Davidson, see John Davidson (disambiguation).

This article includes a list of references or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations.
You can improve this article by introducing more precise citations.

John Hamilton Davidson Sr., born to two Baptist ministers, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 13, 1941, is an American actor, singer and game show host best known for hosting That's Incredible!, Time Machine, and Hollywood Squares in the 1980s, and a revival of The $100,000 Pyramid in 1991 and 1992.

John Davidson
John Davidson in 1990
Born	December 13, 1941 (1941-12-13) (age 66) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Occupation	Stage, film, television actor
Spouse(s)	Rhonda Rivera, Jackie Miller

Davidson was a member of the regular repertory company on the short-lived CBS variety show The Entertainers (1964-65). He was host of his own talk show, which aired daily in syndication (either 60 or 90 minutes in length) from 1980 to 1982. He made more than one hundred appearances on the original Hollywood Squares during its 1966-1981 run.

Davidson made his Broadway debut in the 1964 production of Foxy, which starred Bert Lahr. He also appeared in State Fair in 1996.

Davidson has recorded twelve albums and performed in various musicals. He acted in many movies including The Happiest Millionaire; The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band; Coffee, Tea or Me; The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders II; Airport '79; and Edward Scissorhands, as well as the sitcom The Girl with Something Extra with Sally Field. He is afraid of bees. John was also a featured guest on several of the Carpenters' TV specials.

He was the scheduled headline act at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, the night the structure burned down, killing 165 persons, on May 28, 1977. He was not injured and later participated in a charity concert to raise funds for the families of fire victims.

John Davidson has appeared in recent productions of "...Forum", "Kismet, "State Fair", & "Man of La Mancha" at the Surflight Theatre in Long Beach Island, NJ.

Davidson is one of the most popular musical performers never to appear on Billboard's "Top 100" chart. He has, however, placed several singles on their "Easy Listening" survey.