Don Ameche

Acting

Don Ameche

Born May 31, 1908 · Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA

Died December 6, 1993 · aged 85

Don Ameche born Dominic Felix Amici May 31, 1908 – December 6, 1993) was a versatile and popular American film actor in the 1930s and '40s, usually as the dapper, mustached leading man. He was also popular as a radio master of ceremonies during this time. As his film popularity waned in the 1950s, he continued working in theater and some TV. His film career surged in a comeback in the 1980s with f…

Known For

Trading PlacesTrading Places · 1983
Trading Places
7.21983
MovieComedy
A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
Coming to AmericaComing to America · 1988
Coming to America
6.91988
MovieComedyRomance
An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prince quickly finds himself a new job, new friends, new digs, new enemies and lots of trouble.
CocoonCocoon · 1985
Cocoon
6.61985
MovieComedyScience Fiction
When a group of trespassing seniors swim in a pool containing alien cocoons, they find themselves energized with youthful vigor.
OscarOscar · 1991
Oscar
6.41991
MovieComedy
Angelo "Snaps" Provolone made his dying father a promise on his deathbed: he would leave the world of crime and become an honest businessman. Despite having no experience in making money in a legal fashion, Snaps sets about to keep his promise.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible JourneyHomeward Bound: The Incredible Journey · 1993
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
7.01993
MovieAdventureComedy
Before the Seavers leave for a family vacation to San Francisco, they drop off their pets -- Chance, an adventurous American bulldog; Shadow, a wise golden retriever; and Sassy, a cautious cat -- at a friend's ranch. But when the animals start to worry that they've been left for good, the three embark together on a treacherous and thrilling journey to find their way back home through the California wilderness.
Happy LandingHappy Landing · 1938
Happy Landing
6.31938
MovieComedyMusic
Bandleader and manager discover skater in Norway. They become rivals as she returns with them to America.
Girl TroubleGirl Trouble · 1942
Girl Trouble
8.31942
MovieComedy
A South American in New York rents the apartment of a socialite who pretends to be his maid.
Guest WifeGuest Wife · 1945
Guest Wife
6.21945
MovieComedyRomance
Christopher Price, a small-town bank executive, continues to be loyal to and idolize his boyhood friend, Joseph Jefferson Parker, a famous war correspondent. But Chris's wife, Mary, is none to fond of Joe and tired of her husband's idolizing. On the eve of the Price's second-honeymoon trip to New York City, Joe arrives and tells Chris that he needs someone to pose as his wife in order to fool his boss in NYC, who thinks Joe got married to an overseas woman while on an assignment. Chris pushes Mary into posing as Joe's wife. In New York, this leads to many complications and misunderstandings, with Mary finally deciding to teach Chris and Joe a lesson by making them believe she is in love with Joe.

Movies

Trading PlacesTrading Places · 1983
Trading Places
7.21983
MovieComedy
A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
Coming to AmericaComing to America · 1988
Coming to America
6.91988
MovieComedyRomance
An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prince quickly finds himself a new job, new friends, new digs, new enemies and lots of trouble.
CocoonCocoon · 1985
Cocoon
6.61985
MovieComedyScience Fiction
When a group of trespassing seniors swim in a pool containing alien cocoons, they find themselves energized with youthful vigor.
OscarOscar · 1991
Oscar
6.41991
MovieComedy
Angelo "Snaps" Provolone made his dying father a promise on his deathbed: he would leave the world of crime and become an honest businessman. Despite having no experience in making money in a legal fashion, Snaps sets about to keep his promise.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible JourneyHomeward Bound: The Incredible Journey · 1993
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
7.01993
MovieAdventureComedy
Before the Seavers leave for a family vacation to San Francisco, they drop off their pets -- Chance, an adventurous American bulldog; Shadow, a wise golden retriever; and Sassy, a cautious cat -- at a friend's ranch. But when the animals start to worry that they've been left for good, the three embark together on a treacherous and thrilling journey to find their way back home through the California wilderness.
Happy LandingHappy Landing · 1938
Happy Landing
6.31938
MovieComedyMusic
Bandleader and manager discover skater in Norway. They become rivals as she returns with them to America.
Girl TroubleGirl Trouble · 1942
Girl Trouble
8.31942
MovieComedy
A South American in New York rents the apartment of a socialite who pretends to be his maid.
Guest WifeGuest Wife · 1945
Guest Wife
6.21945
MovieComedyRomance
Christopher Price, a small-town bank executive, continues to be loyal to and idolize his boyhood friend, Joseph Jefferson Parker, a famous war correspondent. But Chris's wife, Mary, is none to fond of Joe and tired of her husband's idolizing. On the eve of the Price's second-honeymoon trip to New York City, Joe arrives and tells Chris that he needs someone to pose as his wife in order to fool his boss in NYC, who thinks Joe got married to an overseas woman while on an assignment. Chris pushes Mary into posing as Joe's wife. In New York, this leads to many complications and misunderstandings, with Mary finally deciding to teach Chris and Joe a lesson by making them believe she is in love with Joe.
Harry and the HendersonsHarry and the Hendersons · 1987
Harry and the Hendersons
6.11987
MovieComedyFamily
Returning from a hunting trip in the forest, the Henderson family's car hits an animal in the road. At first they fear it was a man, but when they examine the "body" they find it's a "bigfoot". They think it's dead so they decide to take it home (there could be some money in this). As you guessed, it isn't dead. Far from being the ferocious monster they fear "Harry" to be, he's a friendly giant.
Cocoon: The ReturnCocoon: The Return · 1988
Cocoon: The Return
6.51988
MovieComedyScience Fiction
The reinvigorated elderly group that left Earth comes back to visit their relatives. Will they all decide to go back to the planet where no one grows old, or will they be tempted to remain on Earth?
Corrina, CorrinaCorrina, Corrina · 1994
Corrina, Corrina
6.71994
MovieComedyFamily
When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople.
Sleep, My LoveSleep, My Love · 1948
Sleep, My Love
6.31948
MovieThrillerMystery
A woman wakes up in the middle of the night on board a train, but she can't remember how she got there. Danger and suspense ensue.
Greenwich VillageGreenwich Village · 1944
Greenwich Village
6.71944
MovieComedyMusic
In 1922, a would-be classical composer gets involved with people putting on a musical revue.
SunstrokeSunstroke · 1992
Sunstroke
3.01992
MovieMysteryThriller
After a bitter divorce, Teresa embarks on a noir journey to recover custody of her daughter. Murder, blackmail, and a mysterious stranger await her at a Scottsdale motel.
Folks!Folks! · 1992
Folks!
5.61992
MovieComedy
A slightly self absorbed yuppie takes in his parents including his senile father, after their home burns down. But his personal and professional life fall apart soon after.
Heaven Can WaitHeaven Can Wait · 1943
Heaven Can Wait
6.91943
MovieComedyRomance
Spoiled playboy Henry van Cleve dies and arrives at the entrance to Hell, a final destination he is sure he deserves after living a life of profligacy. The devil, however, isn't so sure Henry meets Hell's standards. Convinced he is where he belongs, Henry recounts his life's deeds, both good and bad, including an act of indiscretion during his 25-year marriage to his wife, Martha, with the hope that "His Excellency" will arrive at the proper judgment.
In Old ChicagoIn Old Chicago · 1938
In Old Chicago
6.71938
MovieDramaHistory
The O'Leary brothers -- honest Jack and roguish Dion -- become powerful figures, and eventually rivals, in Chicago on the eve of its Great Fire.
Night of 100 StarsNight of 100 Stars · 1982
Night of 100 Stars
5.81982
MovieComedyMusic
The most glittering, expensive, and exhausting videotaping session in television history took place Friday February 19, 1982 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The event, for which ticket-buyers paid up to $1,000 a seat (tax-deductible as a contribution to the Actors' Fund) was billed as "The Night of 100 Stars" but, actually, around 230 stars took part. And most of the audience of 5,800 had no idea in advance that they were paying to see a TV taping, complete with long waits for set and costume changes, tape rewinding, and the like. Executive producer Alexander Cohen estimated that the 5,800 Radio City Music Hall seats sold out at prices ranging from $25 to $1,000. The show itself cost about $4 million to produce and was expected to yield around $2 million for the new addition to the Actors Fund retirement home in Englewood, N. J. ABC is reputed to have paid more than $5 million for the television rights.
The Chinese TypewriterThe Chinese Typewriter · 1979
The Chinese Typewriter
7.01979
MovieActionAdventure
Two private investigators are hired by an airline company to retrieve a stolen prototype jet. Starring Tom Selleck. Released 1979.
Things ChangeThings Change · 1988
Things Change
6.21988
MovieComedyCrime
Jerry, a misfit Mafia henchman, is assigned the low-level job of keeping an eye on Gino, a shoe repairman fingered by the Mob to confess to a murder he didn't commit. But Gino's mistaken for a Mafia boss, and the two are suddenly catapulted to the highest levels of mobster status. Only friendship will see them through this dangerous adventure alive!
Land of LibertyLand of Liberty · 1939
Land of Liberty
9.01939
MovieHistory
This film tells the history of the United States from pre-Revolution through 1939.
You Can't Have EverythingYou Can't Have Everything · 1937
You Can't Have Everything
6.51937
MovieComedyRomance
Starving playwright Judith Wells meets playboy writer of musicals, George Macrae, over a plate of stolen spaghetti. He persuades producer Sam Gordon to buy her ridiculous play "North Winds" just to improve his romantic chances, and even persuades her to sing in the sort of show she pretends to despise. But just when their romance is going well, Gordon's former flame Lulu reveals the ace up her sleeve...
Ladies in LoveLadies in Love · 1936
Ladies in Love
6.51936
MovieRomanceComedy
Three young women in Budapest share living quarters while searching for romance.
Wing and a PrayerWing and a Prayer · 1944
Wing and a Prayer
6.71944
MovieWarAction
An aircraft carrier is sent on a decoy mission around the Pacific, with orders to avoid combat, thus lulling Japanese alertness before the battle of Midway.

TV Shows

The Mike Douglas ShowThe Mike Douglas Show · 1961
The Mike Douglas Show
5.81961
SeriesComedy
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson · 1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.51962
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
ColumboColumbo · 1971
Columbo
8.11971
SeriesCrimeDrama
Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently underestimated by his suspects. Despite his unprepossessing appearance and apparent absentmindedness, he shrewdly solves all of his cases and secures all evidence needed for indictment. His formidable eye for detail and meticulously dedicated approach often become clear to the killer only late in the storyline.
The Love BoatThe Love Boat · 1977
The Love Boat
6.31977
SeriesDramaComedy
Passengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or mysterious countries, decide to pass their vacation aboard the "Love Boat", where Gopher, Dr. Bricker, Isaac, Julie, and Captain Stubing try their best to please them, and sometimes help them fall in love. Things are not always so easy, but in the end, love wins.
Climax!Climax! · 1954
Climax!
3.81954
SeriesDramaMystery
Climax! is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live.
Quincy, M.E.Quincy, M.E. · 1976
Quincy, M.E.
7.51976
SeriesCrimeDrama
Los Angeles County medical examiner Quincy routinely engages in police investigations.
The Merv Griffin ShowThe Merv Griffin Show · 1962
The Merv Griffin Show
6.61962
Series
The Golden GirlsThe Golden Girls · 1985
The Golden Girls
7.61985
SeriesComedy
Four Southern Florida seniors share a house, their dreams, and a whole lot of cheesecake. Bright, promiscuous, clueless and hilarious, these lovely, mismatched ladies form the perfect circle of friends.
Petticoat JunctionPetticoat Junction · 1963
Petticoat Junction
5.81963
SeriesComedyFamily
The Bradley family are proud owners of the Shady Rest Hotel. Kate and her three young daughters do the job of running the hotel.
The Ed Sullivan ShowThe Ed Sullivan Show · 1948
The Ed Sullivan Show
6.81948
SeriesComedy
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
Burke's LawBurke's Law · 1963
Burke's Law
6.31963
SeriesDrama
Burke's Law is an American detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II.
What's My Line?What's My Line? · 1950
What's My Line?
7.01950
SeriesFamilyComedy
Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.
McCloudMcCloud · 1970
McCloud
7.21970
SeriesCrimeDrama
Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud of the small western town of Taos, New Mexico is assigned to the metropolitan New York City Police Department (NYPD) as a special investigator.
JuliaJulia · 1968
Julia
6.41968
SeriesComedy
Julia is an American sitcom notable for being one of the first weekly series to depict an African American woman in a non-stereotypical role. Previous television series featured African American lead characters, but the characters were usually servants. The show stars actress and singer Diahann Carroll, and ran for 86 episodes on NBC from September 17, 1968 to March 23, 1971. The series was produced by Savannah Productions, Inc., Hanncar Productions, Inc., and 20th Century-Fox Television. During pre-production, the proposed series title was Mama's Man. The series was also unique in that it was among the few situation comedies in the late 1960s that did not use a laugh track; however, 20th Century-Fox Television added them when the series was reissued for syndication and cable rebroadcasts in the late 1980s.
Alias Smith and JonesAlias Smith and Jones · 1971
Alias Smith and Jones
7.01971
SeriesWesternCrime
Alias Smith and Jones is an American Western series that originally aired on ABC from 1971 to 1973. It stars Pete Duel as Hannibal Heyes and Ben Murphy as Jedediah "Kid" Curry, a pair of cousin outlaws trying to reform. The governor offers them a conditional amnesty, as he wants to keep the pact under wraps for political reasons. The condition is that they will still be wanted— until the governor can claim they have reformed and warrant clemency.
The Kennedy Center HonorsThe Kennedy Center Honors · 1978
The Kennedy Center Honors
7.41978
Series
The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.
Ellery QueenEllery Queen · 1975
Ellery Queen
7.51975
SeriesMysteryDrama
Ellery Queen is an American television detective mystery series based on the fictional character Ellery Queen. It aired on NBC during the 1975-76 television season and stars Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen, David Wayne as his father, Inspector Richard Queen, and Tom Reese as Sgt. Velie. Created by the writing/producing team of Richard Levinson and William Link, the title character "breaks" the fourth wall to ask the audience to consider their solution.
DuPont Show of the MonthDuPont Show of the Month · 1957
DuPont Show of the Month
7.41957
SeriesDramaComedy
DuPont Show of the Month is an acclaimed 90-minute television anthology series that aired monthly on CBS from 1957 to 1961. The DuPont Company also sponsored a weekly half-hour anthology drama series hosted by June Allyson, The DuPont Show with June Allyson. During the Golden Age of Television, DuPont Show of the Month was one of numerous anthology series telecast between 1949 and 1962. Superficially, it resembled Playhouse 90 and other anthologies, but DuPont Show of the Month focused less on contemporary dramas and more on adaptations of literary classics, including Oliver Twist, The Prince and the Pauper, Billy Budd, The Prisoner of Zenda, A Tale of Two Cities and The Count of Monte Cristo.
The American Film Institute Salute to ...The American Film Institute Salute to ... · 1973
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
6.31973
Series
In 1973 the American Film Institute initiated its Life Achievement Award, to be presented to a yearly recipient whose talent has fundamentally advanced the film art; whose accomplishments have been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.
Good HeavensGood Heavens · 1976
Good Heavens
7.01976
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyComedy
Good Heavens was an ABC comedy anthology series produced by Columbia Pictures Television that aired between February 29 to June 26, 1976. It ranked #17 in the Nielsen ratings during the 1975-76 television season. The main character was Mr. Angel, who was an Emissary of Heaven that came down to Earth to grant wishes to those who had performed a good deed. Episodes featured actors such as Don Ameche, Susan Dey, Sandy Duncan, Pat Harrington Jr., Florence Henderson, Alex Karras, Penny Marshall, Hugh O'Brian, Loretta Swit, Brenda Vaccaro, and Fred Willard.