Donald Madden

Donald Richard Madden (November 5, 1933 – January 22, 1983) was an American actor who worked across theater, television, and film. Born in New York City, he attended City College of New York, where he earned a degree in Theater. Before beginning his professional career, he served two years in the United States Army, from July 27, 1951, to July 27, 1953. He subsequently gained experience in regional theater, including a touring production of Tea and Sympathy opposite Linda Darnell.

Madden's Broadway career spanned from 1957 to 1979. He made his Broadway debut in the role of Jimmy Porter in Look Back in Anger in 1958, and the following year he appeared in his first Broadway musical, First Impressions — an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice — playing Charles Bingley. In 1960, an off-Broadway production of Julius Caesar brought him the Theatre World Award. That same year he played Hotspur in Henry IV, Part 1 at The Phoenix Theater. In 1961, he took on the title role in Hamlet on Broadway, a performance that earned him critical acclaim. He returned to Shakespeare in 1970, playing the title role in Joseph Papp's production of Richard III at the Delacorte Theater.

Among his other notable stage credits, Madden appeared in the 1967 comedy Black Comedy/White Lies, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play. In 1971 he portrayed Eilert Lovborg in Hedda Gabler and Torvald Helmer in A Doll's House, the latter production featuring Claire Bloom and Patricia Elliott. His stage work also included The Plough and the Stars, King Henry IV, Part II, Lysistrata, and a 1971 revival of Arms and the Man. His final Broadway appearance came in the thriller Trick in 1979.

On television, Madden appeared alongside Colleen Dewhurst in a 1959 adaptation of John Steinbeck's Burning Bright. He guest starred in the British spy series Espionage in 1963 and held the recurring role of Bryan Cannon on Dr. Kildare in 1966. He also appeared in the soap operas One Life to Live and Another World. His sole feature film role was John Dickinson in the 1972 film 1776. His final television appearance was as Mr. Brown in Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi in 1980.

During the run of Trick in 1979, Madden was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died on January 22, 1983, in Central Islip, New York, at the age of 49.