Released in 1968, Planet of the Apes spawned an enduring franchise that proves apes are strong together. Integral to the success of this formative entry was its cast, which included the talents of James Daly, master of television, film, and theatre. Planet of the Apes is just part of Daly’s story, where he played Honorius, so it’s time to see what he did after.
Wisconsin native James Daly was born on October 23, 1918. While his father was a fuel merchant, his mother would eventually work for the CIA. Rounding off this diverse family was Daly, who studied acting and drama, only to then serve in three different branches of the armed forces; in addition to four years as a navy ensign, he would also serve as an infantryman and a cadet.
Daly became a powerhouse on TV
It’s hard to fathom that something so titanic as Planet of the Apes is just one part of Daly’s resume; his isn’t the longest filmography but it is a strong one. He started off onstage as an understudy in Born Yesterday before landing starring roles on Broadway, no less, in J.B. and Period of Adjustment.
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On TV, he appeared in Foreign Intrigue for two years before landing roles in the likes of Mission: Impossible, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, The Virginian, and Star Trek. 1968’s Planet of the Apes was followed by a prominent role in Medical Center, from 1969 to 1976, as Dr. Paul Lochner. This would become one of his most famous roles. Though, close competition might come from his seven years as a Camel cigarette representative.
How old was James Daly when he died?
Daly had four children: Tyne and Tim, as well as Mary Glynn and Pegeen Michael. However, much of his family life was at risk, just because of something natural about him. Privately, Daly was ashamed of being gay. In those days, it was considered a mental illness, and so he and Daly’s wife Hope, who he married in 1942, tried to “cure” him, to no avail. Daly wrestled with this part of himself, and he and Hope divorced in 1965. After this split, he even kept himself at a distance from his children, thinking he might inadvertently influence them. James came out to Tim ten years after he divorced Hope.
Nevertheless, Daly’s family did end up influenced by him; many became actors just like him. Both Tim and Tyne, as well as Daly’s granddaughter Kathryne and grandson Sam are actors.
This would be part of the legacy James Daly left behind when he ultimately died on July 3, 1978 in Nyack, New York. The cause of death was attributed to heart failure; Medical Center had just wrapped up two years prior, yet Daly had been readying for his next stage performance that would never come to be. He was just 59 years old, but had much esteem to his name, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor – Drama, won in 1966 for Eagle in a Cage.
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