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Jack De Mave was born in New Jersey and spent much of his early life immersed in the vibrant worlds of theater and boxing. The roar of the crowd was music to his ears. His father was the original "Golden Boy," a top contender for the heavyweight championship in the late 1920s, having fought 87 professional bouts and losing only 11. After watching De Mave Sr. fight, Clifford Odets was inspired to write the play "Golden Boy," although the storyline was fictional. Jack's father retired from boxing years before Jack was born, but as a child, Jack loved visiting Stillman's Gym and Dempsey's restaurant, where he met his dad’s friends like Gene Tunney, Rocky Marciano, Mickey Walker, and Jack Dempsey. His godfather was Primo Carnera.
As a young man, Jack considered pursuing boxing but changed his mind after seeing Paul Muni in "Inherit the Wind" on Broadway. Jack's mother had been a casting director for Broadway producer John Golden years earlier, and it was under Golden's banner that Muni achieved his first major stage success. Jack visited Muni backstage after the show, and the actor’s encouragement led him toward acting. Jack’s training began in earnest when he won a scholarship to study with Mary Welch, receiving instruction in both classical and contemporary theater. His first professional stage role was opposite Inger Stevens in "Picnic," where his portrayal of Hal earned rave reviews. He then played Mannion in the New York City Center production of "Mr. Roberts" starring Charlton Heston.
This performance caught the attention of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, with whom Jack appeared as Pedro Cabral in "The Visit," the Lunts' final play. Jack regards working with this renowned acting duo as one of his most rewarding experiences. Through this association, both on Broadway and during the national tour, he met theatrical legends like Laurence Olivier and Noel Coward. Jack considers his greatest regret not accepting a scholarship arranged by the Lunts for him at the Royal Academy in London. However, he did study for two years with Lee Strasberg, which he found immensely valuable. During that time, Marilyn Monroe was also studying with Strasberg, and Jack fondly recalls rehearsing a scene with her just before she left to film "Bus Stop."
Jack acted opposite Princess Lee Radziwill, co-starring with her in "The Philadelphia Story." The public fascination with the Princess’s stage debut landed them in Life magazine and numerous other publications nationwide. Other notable stage credits include co-starring with Ann Blyth in "The Sound of Music," Nanette Fabray in "Applause," and Maureen Reagan in "Any Wednesday." He also appeared in "Sweeney Todd," "Guys and Dolls," and "The Hasty Heart." Most recently, Jack took on the Ray Milland role in "Dial M for Murder" opposite Hope Lange, as well as parts in off-Broadway productions of "Richard II" and "Macbeth" in New York.
Jack's television debut was in the Kraft Theater production of "King's Bounty" with Christopher Plummer. He later moved to Hollywood, continuing his TV career with guest roles on shows like "Daniel Boone," "The F.B.I.," "The Fugitive," "Adam-12," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Ellery Queen," and a TV pilot called "Boot Hill." He then starred as Ranger Bob Ericson on the "Lassie" TV series for three years. After leaving "Lassie," Jack had a recurring role as Armond Linton on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He also appeared as a romantic lead opposite stars such as Doris Day, Valerie Harper, Kelly McGillis, Susan Lucci, and Sandy Duncan. One of his most cherished experiences was co-starring with Bette Davis in the NBC TV movie "Hello Mother, Goodbye," where he played her newscaster son. Jack counts Ms. Davis among his all-time favorite co-stars.
Jack also had recurring roles on several daytime dramas, including "General Hospital," "Loving," and "The Bold and the Beautiful." His first theatrical film role was in "Splendor in the Grass," where he seduced Natalie Wood in a scene added during production by Eli Kazan and William Inge. However, this scene was cut during editing as it was considered too explicit for the time. Other films in his career include "Blindfold" with Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale, "1776" as John Penn, and "The Man Without a Face" alongside Mel Gibson.
