Discovering Don DeFore: More Than Just A Familiar Face
When you think about classic television, there are some faces that just seem to stick with you, even if you can't quite place the name right away. One such person, a truly memorable presence on screens for years, was Don DeFore. He brought a special kind of warmth and, you know, a very relatable charm to many roles, making him a beloved figure for generations who watched him. It's almost as if he was part of the family in so many households, a quiet, steady force on the screen.
He was, in a way, a familiar friend, someone who popped up in shows and films that people enjoyed. Don DeFore's career, you see, stretched across different parts of the entertainment world, and he left his mark in some rather interesting places. His story, frankly, is a bit more varied than just his acting work alone, which is something that many folks might not even know.
Today, we're going to take a closer look at Don DeFore, exploring some of the unique aspects of his life and career. We'll touch on his acting, of course, but also some of his other surprising talents and connections. It's quite interesting, really, how much he accomplished, and we think you'll find his story pretty compelling, too.
Table of Contents
- Don DeFore: A Life in Focus
- The Actor Who Could Build
- Mr. Baxter and the Cast Story
- A Friendship with Walt: The Frontierland Venture
- Later Years and Lasting Impressions
- Don DeFore: At a Glance
- Frequently Asked Questions About Don DeFore
Don DeFore: A Life in Focus
Don DeFore, it seems, was a person of many abilities, far beyond just performing in front of a camera. He was, actually, a fine actor, someone who could really get into a part and make it feel real for the audience. But that was just one facet of who he was, and perhaps, in some respects, not even the most surprising one when you look at his whole life.
His acting career, naturally, brought him into many homes, especially through his work on television. He had a way of making characters feel grounded and genuine, which is a talent that, you know, audiences really appreciate. This ability to connect with people through his performances made him a recognizable and comforting presence for many years.
The Actor Who Could Build
It's not every day you hear about a Hollywood actor who's also quite handy with tools, is it? But Don DeFore was, apparently, just that kind of person. He wasn't just good at acting; he could, in fact, swing a hammer with real skill, which is something that might surprise a lot of people who only knew him from his screen roles.
He even, very impressively, built his own home. This wasn't just any house, either; it was in Brentwood, which is, you know, a pretty fancy neighborhood. Imagine, an actor, someone whose job is often about portraying other people, taking on such a big, hands-on project like constructing their own place. It shows a different side to him, a very practical side, indeed.
Now, his love for working with wood and building things did, unfortunately, lead to a bit of a mishap. It happened in his wood shop, a place where he likely spent a lot of time creating things. He accidentally injured himself there, which, you know, can happen when you're working with tools. This incident, as we'll see, actually showed up in one of his most famous roles, which is pretty interesting.
Mr. Baxter and the Cast Story
For many television viewers, Don DeFore is probably best remembered as Mr. Baxter from the popular show "Hazel." He played the patriarch of the family, and his character was, you know, a central part of the program's appeal. The show was quite successful, and his performance certainly contributed to that success, making him a household name for a while.
Interestingly enough, if you were watching the first season of "Hazel" on DVD, you might have noticed something a little out of the ordinary about Mr. Baxter. For several episodes, Don DeFore was seen with an arm and hand cast. This wasn't, actually, part of the script or some kind of character choice; it was very much a real-life situation.
It seems that the actor, Don DeFore himself, broke his hand in real life. This was, in fact, the result of that accident in his wood shop that we talked about earlier. So, the cast you saw on screen was a genuine reflection of an injury he sustained. The show, as it often happens, had to work around it, incorporating his real-life situation into the story, which is, you know, a pretty common thing in television production.
This little detail, the arm and hand cast, is something that, you know, fans of the show sometimes recall. It adds a layer of reality to his performance, showing that even actors deal with everyday accidents. It's a small piece of trivia, but it helps us remember that the people we see on screen are, in a way, just like us, with their own real-life moments happening behind the scenes.
A Friendship with Walt: The Frontierland Venture
Beyond his acting, Don DeFore had a rather unique connection that many people might not be aware of: a friendship with Walt Disney himself. This wasn't just a casual acquaintance; it was a bond strong enough for Walt to, you know, call upon Don for a very special project. It shows the kind of trust and respect Walt had for him, which is, honestly, quite a testament to Don's character.
Walt Disney, as a matter of fact, reached out to his friend Don DeFore with an interesting proposition. He asked Don if he would be interested in running a restaurant in Frontierland, which is, of course, a famous part of Disneyland. This was a completely different kind of venture for an actor, moving from the soundstage to, you know, managing a dining spot in a theme park.
Don, after giving it some thought, said "yes." This decision led to him and his younger brother, Verne, beginning this new chapter as restaurateurs. It's pretty cool, when you think about it, that an actor like Don DeFore would take on such a different kind of business, especially one tied to such an iconic place as Disneyland. It really highlights his diverse interests and his willingness to try new things, which is, in a way, quite admirable.
This partnership with his brother Verne to run a restaurant in Frontierland is a fascinating piece of Don DeFore's life story. It shows that his talents weren't confined to acting alone; he was, apparently, also someone with a good head for business and a willingness to collaborate. It's another example of how, you know, his life was full of interesting turns and opportunities.
Later Years and Lasting Impressions
Don DeFore lived a full life, marked by his contributions to entertainment and, you know, those surprising ventures outside of acting. He passed away on December 24, 1993, at the age of 80. His passing marked the end of an era for many who had grown up watching him on their television screens, a familiar face gone but certainly not forgotten.
His obituary, which was published in The New York Times, shared the news of his passing. It noted his age and, of course, his profession as an actor, particularly mentioning his role as Mr. Baxter. This kind of public acknowledgment shows the impact he had during his lifetime, and how, you know, his work was recognized by many.
Even today, Don DeFore's work continues to be enjoyed by audiences. Reruns of "Hazel" and other classic shows he appeared in still bring smiles to people's faces. He left behind a body of work that, you know, keeps his memory alive for those who appreciate the golden age of television. His unique blend of acting talent and personal interests, like building his home or running a restaurant, makes his story pretty compelling, really.
His contributions to both the small screen and, you know, even the world of theme parks, show a person who was always ready for a new challenge. He was, in a way, a true individual, someone who didn't just stick to one path. Learn more about classic television on our site, and you might find more interesting stories like Don's on pages such as our collection of classic TV stars.
Don DeFore: At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Don DeFore |
| Profession | Actor |
| Notable Role | Mr. Baxter in "Hazel" |
| Date of Passing | December 24, 1993 |
| Age at Passing | 80 years old |
| Unique Skills | Skilled carpenter, built his own home |
| Business Venture | Ran a restaurant in Frontierland (Disneyland) with his brother Verne |
| Obituary Reference | The New York Times (New York Times obituary) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Don DeFore
What was Don DeFore known for in his acting career?
Don DeFore was, you know, widely recognized for his acting work, particularly his role as Mr. Baxter in the television series "Hazel." He also appeared in various other films and TV shows throughout his career, bringing a consistent and reliable presence to his parts. His ability to portray relatable characters made him a familiar and comforting face to many viewers for quite some time, actually.
Did Don DeFore really build his own home?
Yes, as a matter of fact, Don DeFore was quite the skilled craftsman. He was, you know, known to be very handy with tools and, very impressively, he built his own home. This house was located in the tony neighborhood of Brentwood, which is, you know, a pretty well-known area. It really shows that he had talents beyond just his acting, a very practical side to him, indeed.
What happened to Don DeFore's hand during "Hazel"?
During the first season of "Hazel," Don DeFore was seen with an arm and hand cast for several episodes. This was, actually, due to a real-life injury he sustained. He had an accident in his wood shop, a place where he, you know, enjoyed working on projects. The show's producers simply worked his actual injury into the storyline, which is, you know, a common practice in television when an actor gets hurt.
Don DeFore - Actor
Actor Don DeFore News Photo - Getty Images
American actors Don Defore and Marilyn Monroe at a 'dream house' - a
