John Karlen

Acting

John Karlen

Born May 28, 1933 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Died January 22, 2020 · aged 86

John Karlen (born John Adam Karlewicz) was an American character actor who played multiple roles (Willie Loomis, Carl Collins, William H. Loomis, Desmond Collins, Alex Jenkins, and Kendrick Young) on the ABC serial Dark Shadows, in various episodes which aired from 1966 to 1971. Karlen also played Harvey Lacey, husband of Mary Beth Lacey (played by Tyne Daly), on the CBS crime series Cagney & Lace…

Known For

DaddyDaddy · 1987
Daddy
7.21987
MovieDramaTV Movie
Two high schoolers are unprepared for the reality of parenthood when the girl becomes pregnant.
ImpulseImpulse · 1984
Impulse
5.31984
MovieHorrorMystery
After a small earthquake in a tiny, quiet town, local citizens start to exhibit bizarre, violent and self-destructive behaviour.
Racing with the MoonRacing with the Moon · 1984
Racing with the Moon
6.31984
MovieDramaRomance
In a small coastal California town, Henry and Nicky are pals from blue collar families with only a short time before they ship off to World War II. Henry begins romancing new-to-town Caddie Winger, believing her to be wealthy. Mischievous and irresponsible, Nicky gets into trouble which forces the other two to become involved, testing their relationship, as well as the friendship between the boys.
Pennies from HeavenPennies from Heaven · 1981
Pennies from Heaven
6.11981
MovieDramaMusic
During the Great Depression, a sheet music salesman seeks to escape his dreary life through popular music and a love affair with an innocent schoolteacher.
Trilogy of TerrorTrilogy of Terror · 1975
Trilogy of Terror
6.21975
MovieHorrorThriller
A horror anthology containing three stories: a female college professor is aggressively pursued by one of her students; a prudish brunette determines that her free-spirited blonde sister is evil; and a woman's night turns upside down after she purchases an ancient Zuni fetish doll.
Daughters of DarknessDaughters of Darkness · 1971
Daughters of Darkness
6.21971
MovieDramaHorror
Ostend, Belgium. In a decadent seaside hotel, Stefan and Valerie, a newlywed couple, meet the mysterious Countess Báthory and Ilona, her secretary.
The Invasion of Carol EndersThe Invasion of Carol Enders · 1974
The Invasion of Carol Enders
4.71974
MovieTV MovieHorror
Television thriller about a woman is possessed after a brutal attack.
Melvin Purvis G-ManMelvin Purvis G-Man · 1975
Melvin Purvis G-Man
6.31975
MovieTV MovieCrime
Agent Melvin Purvis is placed in charge of running down notorious killer Machine Gun Kelly, and sets out to do just that.

Movies

DaddyDaddy · 1987
Daddy
7.21987
MovieDramaTV Movie
Two high schoolers are unprepared for the reality of parenthood when the girl becomes pregnant.
ImpulseImpulse · 1984
Impulse
5.31984
MovieHorrorMystery
After a small earthquake in a tiny, quiet town, local citizens start to exhibit bizarre, violent and self-destructive behaviour.
Racing with the MoonRacing with the Moon · 1984
Racing with the Moon
6.31984
MovieDramaRomance
In a small coastal California town, Henry and Nicky are pals from blue collar families with only a short time before they ship off to World War II. Henry begins romancing new-to-town Caddie Winger, believing her to be wealthy. Mischievous and irresponsible, Nicky gets into trouble which forces the other two to become involved, testing their relationship, as well as the friendship between the boys.
Pennies from HeavenPennies from Heaven · 1981
Pennies from Heaven
6.11981
MovieDramaMusic
During the Great Depression, a sheet music salesman seeks to escape his dreary life through popular music and a love affair with an innocent schoolteacher.
Trilogy of TerrorTrilogy of Terror · 1975
Trilogy of Terror
6.21975
MovieHorrorThriller
A horror anthology containing three stories: a female college professor is aggressively pursued by one of her students; a prudish brunette determines that her free-spirited blonde sister is evil; and a woman's night turns upside down after she purchases an ancient Zuni fetish doll.
Daughters of DarknessDaughters of Darkness · 1971
Daughters of Darkness
6.21971
MovieDramaHorror
Ostend, Belgium. In a decadent seaside hotel, Stefan and Valerie, a newlywed couple, meet the mysterious Countess Báthory and Ilona, her secretary.
The Invasion of Carol EndersThe Invasion of Carol Enders · 1974
The Invasion of Carol Enders
4.71974
MovieTV MovieHorror
Television thriller about a woman is possessed after a brutal attack.
Melvin Purvis G-ManMelvin Purvis G-Man · 1975
Melvin Purvis G-Man
6.31975
MovieTV MovieCrime
Agent Melvin Purvis is placed in charge of running down notorious killer Machine Gun Kelly, and sets out to do just that.
Nightmare at 43 HillcrestNightmare at 43 Hillcrest · 1974
Nightmare at 43 Hillcrest
7.01974
MovieCrimeDrama
Police looking for drug dealers mistakenly raid the house of a typical suburban family. However, rather than admit their mistake and jeopardize their careers, several of the police officers decide to plant heroin in the family's house, and change the records of the raid to make it look like the family was the target of their investigation all along. Based on a true story.
Nightmare on the 13th FloorNightmare on the 13th Floor · 1990
Nightmare on the 13th Floor
5.41990
MovieHorrorThriller
In this made-for-cable television horror thriller, a travel writer visits a historic hotel to write a story about it and inadvertently finds herself on the 13th floor where she witnesses a Satanic rite and tangles with an axe-wielding killer. She escapes, but no one believes her story because the hotel has no 13th floor.
BabycakesBabycakes · 1989
Babycakes
7.01989
MovieComedyDrama
Grace is an overweight mortuary cosmetician who falls in love with Rob, a handsome subway train conductor who doesn't even know she exists. When she finally devises a way to meet him, they discover that although they are physically different, they have a lot more in common than they think.
Surf NinjasSurf Ninjas · 1993
Surf Ninjas
5.01993
MovieActionAdventure
Two Asian-American "surfer-dude" brothers discover they are the long lost princes from a China Sea Island. Part of their inheritance includes magically-induced martial arts prowess and seeing the future. Using their new powers, they act to overthrow the island's current dictator, a despotic madman with a metal face!
House of Dark ShadowsHouse of Dark Shadows · 1970
House of Dark Shadows
6.61970
MovieDramaHorror
Barnabas Collins searches for a cure for vampirism in order to marry a woman resembling his long-lost fiancée Josette.
Native SonNative Son · 1986
Native Son
5.31986
MovieDrama
In 1940s Chicago, a young black man takes a job as a chauffeur to a white family, which takes a turn for the worse when he accidentally kills the teenage daughter of the couple and then tries to cover it up.
Night of TerrorNight of Terror · 1972
Night of Terror
6.11972
MovieTV MovieThriller
A hired killer hunts down a schoolteacher to get something she has. She doesn't know what it is, but he's already killed twice to get it.
Express to TerrorExpress to Terror · 1979
Express to Terror
9.01979
MovieMysteryCrime
A gambling addict, mobsters, movie producers and others are plagued with murder while aboard a high-speed rail train. This pilot episode for the short-lived "Supertrain" series (which lasted just 9 episodes) was released to home video as a independent feature.
Hostage FlightHostage Flight · 1985
Hostage Flight
6.11985
MovieTV MovieThriller
A plane is hijacked and bound for London. Once the terrorists begin killing hostages, the passengers take matters into their own hands.
Night of Dark ShadowsNight of Dark Shadows · 1971
Night of Dark Shadows
6.61971
MovieDramaHorror
Recently married, Quentin and Tracy Collins have just moved into Collinwood, a New England estate that has long been in the Collins family and which Quentin has just inherited. They soon find themselves plagued by spirits of past residents.
Master of Dark ShadowsMaster of Dark Shadows · 2019
Master of Dark Shadows
9.12019
MovieDocumentary
Revealing the fascinating impact of the ground-breaking Gothic drama Dark Shadows with a compelling blend of rare footage and behind-the-scenes stories exploring the diverse talents of creator-producer-director Dan Curtis.
Without Warning: Terror in the TowersWithout Warning: Terror in the Towers · 1993
Without Warning: Terror in the Towers
6.51993
MovieTV MovieDrama
Massive rescue efforts are mobilized to save occupants of New York City's World Trade Center after a terrorist bombing. Based on the events surrounding the bombing of the World Trade Center towers in February 1993.
Welcome Home, BobbyWelcome Home, Bobby · 1986
Welcome Home, Bobby
4.81986
MovieDramaTV Movie
When a Chicago teen is arrested for drug possession, the ensuing investigation reveals that he has had sexual contact with an older man. Discovering his sexual encounter, other students start shunning him and call for his expulsion from school. His conservative blue-collar dad also rejects him, while his mother does try to offer support.
Downpayment on MurderDownpayment on Murder · 1987
Downpayment on Murder
6.31987
MovieThrillerTV Movie
About an estranged husband who, in an explosive rage, decides to have his wife murdered by a hired killer.
Date RapeDate Rape · 1988
Date Rape
1988
MovieDramaTV Movie
Teenage girl is raped after accepting a date from the most popular boy in school.
Killer's DelightKiller's Delight · 1978
Killer's Delight
4.31978
MovieHorrorThriller
A detective tracks a serial killer through San Francisco.

TV Shows

Murder, She WroteMurder, She Wrote · 1984
Murder, She Wrote
7.51984
SeriesMysteryCrime
An unassuming mystery writer turned sleuth uses her professional insight to help solve real-life homicide cases.
Dark ShadowsDark Shadows · 1966
Dark Shadows
7.31966
SeriesDramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
Dark Shadows is an American gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966, to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis. The story bible, which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements. It was unprecedented in daytime television when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began. The series became hugely popular when vampire Barnabas Collins appeared a year into its run. Dark Shadows also featured werewolves, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, and a parallel universe. A small company of actors each played many roles; indeed, as actors came and went, some characters were played by more than one actor. Major writers besides Art Wallace included Malcolm Marmorstein, Sam Hall, Gordon Russell, and Violet Welles.
MannixMannix · 1967
Mannix
6.81967
SeriesCrime
Mannix is an American television detective series that ran from 1967 through 1975 on CBS. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller, the title character, Joe Mannix, is a private investigator. He is played by Mike Connors. Mannix was the last series produced by Desilu Productions.
Hawaii Five-OHawaii Five-O · 1968
Hawaii Five-O
7.21968
SeriesDrama
Hawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for 12 seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. Jack Lord portrayed Detective Lieutenant Steve McGarrett, the head of a special state police task force which was based on an actual unit that existed under martial law in the 1940s. The theme music composed by Morton Stevens became especially popular. Many episodes would end with McGarrett instructing his subordinate to "Book 'em, Danno!", sometimes specifying a charge such as "murder one".
The WaltonsThe Waltons · 1972
The Waltons
7.21972
SeriesDrama
The Waltons live their life in a rural Virginia community during the Great Depression and World War II.
Charlie's AngelsCharlie's Angels · 1976
Charlie's Angels
6.71976
Series
Beautiful, intelligent, and ultra-sophisticated, Charlie's Angels are everything a man could dream of... and way more than they could ever handle! Receiving their orders via speaker phone from their never seen boss, Charlie, the Angels employ their incomparable sleuthing and combat skills, as well as their lethal feminine charm, to crack even the most seemingly insurmountable of cases.
Hill Street BluesHill Street Blues · 1981
Hill Street Blues
7.61981
SeriesDramaCrime
A realistic glimpse into the daily lives of the officers and detectives at an urban police station.
The Rockford FilesThe Rockford Files · 1974
The Rockford Files
7.61974
SeriesCrimeDrama
Cranky but likable L.A. PI Jim Rockford pulls no punches (but takes plenty of them). An ex-con sent to the slammer for a crime he didn't commit, Rockford takes on cases others don't want, aided by his tough old man, his lawyer girlfriend and some shady associates from his past.
Quincy, M.E.Quincy, M.E. · 1976
Quincy, M.E.
7.51976
SeriesCrimeDrama
Los Angeles County medical examiner Quincy routinely engages in police investigations.
Mad About YouMad About You · 1992
Mad About You
6.71992
SeriesComedy
Young, urban newlyweds Paul and Jamie Buchman try to sustain their marital bliss while sidestepping the hurdles of love in the '90s.
Naked CityNaked City · 1958
Naked City
5.71958
SeriesDramaCrime
Naked City is a police drama series which aired from 1958 to 1963 on the ABC television network. It was inspired by the 1948 motion picture of the same name, and mimics its dramatic “semi-documentary” format. In 1997, the episode “Sweet Prince of Delancey Street” was ranked #93 on TV Guide’s “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time”.
Lou GrantLou Grant · 1977
Lou Grant
7.31977
SeriesComedyDrama
The trials of a former television station manager turned newspaper city editor, and his journalist staff.
KojakKojak · 1973
Kojak
7.21973
SeriesCrime
A bald, lollipop sucking police detective with a fiery righteous attitude battles crime in New York City.
American PlayhouseAmerican Playhouse · 1982
American Playhouse
6.61982
SeriesDramaComedy
American Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.
Starsky & HutchStarsky & Hutch · 1975
Starsky & Hutch
7.31975
SeriesDrama
Streetwise Detective David Starsky partners up with a more intellectual partner, Kenneth 'Hutch' Hutchinson, to protect citizens and patrol the streets of Bay City.
Medical CenterMedical Center · 1969
Medical Center
6.41969
SeriesDrama
Medical Center is a medical drama series which aired on CBS from 1969 to 1976. It was produced by MGM Television.
Cagney & LaceyCagney & Lacey · 1982
Cagney & Lacey
6.91982
SeriesCrimeDrama
Mary Beth Lacey and Chris Cagney are teamed up as NYPD police detectives. Their opposing personalities (one is tough and the other sensitive) mesh to make this one of the great crime-fighting duos of all time.
All in the FamilyAll in the Family · 1971
All in the Family
7.81971
SeriesComedy
Archie Bunker, a working class bigot, constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.
FameFame · 1982
Fame
6.81982
SeriesDrama
An American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show is based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. With a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although fictional, it was based heavily on the actual Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York. Most interior scenes were filmed in Hollywood, California, and in all seasons but the third, several exterior scenes were shot on location in New York City. The popularity of the series, particularly in the UK, led to several hit records and live concert tours by the cast. Despite its success, very few of the actors maintained high-profile careers after the series was cancelled. A number of the cast members were seen again briefly in Bring Back...Fame, a reunion special made for British television in 2008.
KazKaz · 1978
Kaz
7.01978
SeriesCrimeDrama
Kaz is an American crime drama series that aired on CBS from September 10, 1978 to April 22, 1979.
Barnaby JonesBarnaby Jones · 1973
Barnaby Jones
7.01973
SeriesCrimeDrama
Barnaby Jones is a television detective series starring Buddy Ebsen and Lee Meriwether as father- and daughter-in-law who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles. The show ran on CBS from January 28, 1973 to April 3, 1980, beginning as a midseason replacement. William Conrad guest starred as Frank Cannon of Cannon on the first episode of Barnaby Jones, "Requiem for a Son" and the two series had a two-part crossover episode in 1975, "The Deadly Conspiracy".
Trapper John, M.D.Trapper John, M.D. · 1979
Trapper John, M.D.
6.61979
SeriesDrama
Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable doctor who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986.
ABC Afterschool SpecialABC Afterschool Special · 1972
ABC Afterschool Special
6.51972
SeriesDrama
Dramatically presented situations, often controversial, of interest to children and teenagers. Several episodes were either in animated form or presented as documentaries. Topics included illiteracy, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.
Vega$Vega$ · 1978
Vega$
6.91978
SeriesDramaCrime
Private detective Dan Tanna drives around the streets of Las Vegas in a red 1957 Ford Thunderbird solving crimes and making Las Vegas a better place for residents and tourists alike.