Portrait of Don Porter

Don Porter

Bio: Donald "Don" Porter (September 24, 1912 –February 11, 1997) was an American actor who appeared in a number of films since the 1940s, including Top Sergeant and Eagle Squadron. On television, he portrayed the widowed father of 15-year-old Frances "Gidget" Lawrence (Sally Field) in the 1965 ABC sitcom Gidget
Born: Tue, Sep 24 1912
Birthplace: Miami, Oklahoma, USA

Death: Tue, Feb 11 1997
Don Porter is 84 years old
External Links
IMDb logo
Sort by Popularity
Scroll to TV Credits

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of The Ghosts of Buxley Hall
The Ghosts of Buxley Hall
Don Porter was 68 in The Ghosts of Buxley Hall as 'Judge Oliver Haynes'.
Movie Released: Sun, Dec 21 1980
Poster of The Last Song
The Last Song
Don Porter was 68 in The Last Song as 'Philip Brockhurst'.
Movie Released: Thu, Oct 23 1980
Poster of The Murder That Wouldn't Die
The Murder That Wouldn't Die
Don Porter was 67 in The Murder That Wouldn't Die as 'Gen. Rocky Jensen'.
Movie Released: Sun, Mar 09 1980
Poster of Interview with Pontius Pilate
Interview with Pontius Pilate
Don Porter was 67 in Interview with Pontius Pilate as 'Theodore Michael'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jan 01 1980
Poster of Tropic of Desire
Tropic of Desire
Don Porter was 66 in Tropic of Desire as 'Commodore Phillips'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 15 1979
Poster of The President's Mistress
The President's Mistress
Don Porter was 65 in The President's Mistress as 'Craig'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 10 1978
Poster of Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A.
Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A.
Don Porter was 65 in Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A. as 'Caufield'.
Movie Released: Mon, Dec 26 1977
Poster of A Woman for All Men
A Woman for All Men
Don Porter was 62 in A Woman for All Men as 'Barney'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 01 1975
Poster of White Line Fever
White Line Fever
Don Porter was 62 in White Line Fever as 'Cutler'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jul 16 1975
Poster of Last Hours Before Morning
Last Hours Before Morning
Don Porter was 62 in Last Hours Before Morning as 'Mr. Pace'.
Movie Released: Sat, Apr 19 1975
Poster of The Legend of Lizzie Borden
The Legend of Lizzie Borden
Don Porter was 62 in The Legend of Lizzie Borden as 'George Robinson'.
Movie Released: Mon, Feb 10 1975
Poster of Happy Anniversary and Goodbye
Happy Anniversary and Goodbye
Don Porter was 62 in Happy Anniversary and Goodbye as 'Ed 'Mad Dog' Murphy'.
Movie Released: Tue, Nov 19 1974
Poster of Murder or Mercy
Murder or Mercy
Don Porter was 61 in Murder or Mercy as 'Henry Balin'.
Movie Released: Wed, Apr 10 1974
Poster of Mame
Mame
Don Porter was 61 in Mame as 'Mr. Upson'.
Movie Released: Thu, Mar 07 1974
Poster of The Morning After
The Morning After
Don Porter was 61 in The Morning After as 'Rudy King'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 13 1974
Poster of 40 Carats
40 Carats
Don Porter was 60 in 40 Carats as 'Mr. Latham'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jun 28 1973
Poster of The Norliss Tapes
The Norliss Tapes
Don Porter was 60 in The Norliss Tapes as 'Sanford T. Evans'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 21 1973
Poster of The Candidate
The Candidate
Don Porter was 59 in The Candidate as 'Senator Crocker Jarmon'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jun 29 1972
Poster of Live a Little, Love a Little
Live a Little, Love a Little
Don Porter was 56 in Live a Little, Love a Little as 'Mike Lansdown'.
Movie Released: Wed, Oct 23 1968
Poster of Youngblood Hawke
Youngblood Hawke
Don Porter was 52 in Youngblood Hawke as 'Ferdie Lax'.
Movie Released: Wed, Nov 04 1964
Poster of Gidget Goes to Rome
Gidget Goes to Rome
Don Porter was 50 in Gidget Goes to Rome as 'Russell Lawrence'.
Movie Released: Wed, Aug 07 1963
Poster of Bachelor in Paradise
Bachelor in Paradise
Don Porter was 49 in Bachelor in Paradise as 'Thomas W. Jynson'.
Movie Released: Wed, Nov 01 1961
Poster of Desk Set
Desk Set
Don Porter was 44 in Desk Set as 'Don the Elevator Operator (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 02 1957
Poster of Our Miss Brooks
Our Miss Brooks
Don Porter was 43 in Our Miss Brooks as 'Lawrence Nolan'.
Movie Released: Tue, Apr 24 1956
Poster of Because You're Mine
Because You're Mine
Don Porter was 40 in Because You're Mine as 'Captain Burton Nordell Loring'.
Movie Released: Wed, Oct 01 1952
Poster of The Savage
The Savage
Don Porter was 39 in The Savage as 'Running Dog'.
Movie Released: Mon, Sep 01 1952
Poster of The Turning Point
The Turning Point
Don Porter was 39 in The Turning Point as 'Joe Silbray'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 12 1952
Poster of Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek
Don Porter was 39 in Cripple Creek as 'Denver Jones'.
Movie Released: Mon, Jun 30 1952
Poster of The Fallbrook Story
The Fallbrook Story
Don Porter was 39 in The Fallbrook Story as 'Narrator'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jan 01 1952
Poster of The Racket
The Racket
Don Porter was 39 in The Racket as 'R. G. Connolly'.
Movie Released: Thu, Oct 25 1951
Poster of Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
Don Porter was 38 in Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone as 'Myron Brynk'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 08 1950
Poster of 711 Ocean Drive
711 Ocean Drive
Don Porter was 37 in 711 Ocean Drive as 'Larry Mason'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 01 1950
Poster of My Friend Irma Goes West
My Friend Irma Goes West
Don Porter was 37 in My Friend Irma Goes West as 'Mr. Brent'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jun 25 1950
Poster of Buck Privates Come Home
Buck Privates Come Home
Don Porter was 34 in Buck Privates Come Home as 'Capt. Christie'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 04 1947
Poster of Wild Beauty
Wild Beauty
Don Porter was 33 in Wild Beauty as 'Dr. Dave Morrow'.
Movie Released: Thu, Aug 08 1946
Poster of Danger Woman
Danger Woman
Don Porter was 33 in Danger Woman as 'Professor Claude Ruppert'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 12 1946
Poster of Cuban Pete
Cuban Pete
Don Porter was 33 in Cuban Pete as 'Roberts'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 26 1946
Poster of She-Wolf of London
She-Wolf of London
Don Porter was 33 in She-Wolf of London as 'Barry Lanfield'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 17 1946
Poster of Resisting Enemy Interrogation
Resisting Enemy Interrogation
Don Porter was 31 in Resisting Enemy Interrogation as 'Lt. Frank L. Williams, Jr. - American Co-pilot'.
Movie Released: Tue, Aug 01 1944
Poster of How to Fly the B-26 Airplane
How to Fly the B-26 Airplane
Don Porter was 31 in How to Fly the B-26 Airplane as 'Captain Dick'.
Movie Released: Tue, Mar 14 1944
Poster of Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging
Don Porter was 30 in Keep 'Em Slugging as 'Jerry'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 01 1943
Poster of Reconnaissance Pilot
Reconnaissance Pilot
Don Porter was 30 in Reconnaissance Pilot as 'Camera Instructor'.
Movie Released: Mon, Jan 25 1943
Poster of Madame Spy
Madame Spy
Don Porter was 30 in Madame Spy as 'David Bannister'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 11 1942
Poster of Who Done It?
Who Done It?
Don Porter was 30 in Who Done It? as ''Murder at Midnight' program manager'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 30 1942
Poster of Night Monster
Night Monster
Don Porter was 30 in Night Monster as 'Dick Baldwin'.
Movie Released: Tue, Oct 20 1942
Poster of Eyes of the Underworld
Eyes of the Underworld
Don Porter was 30 in Eyes of the Underworld as 'Edward Jason'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 02 1942
Poster of Eagle Squadron
Eagle Squadron
Don Porter was 29 in Eagle Squadron as 'Ramsey'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jun 16 1942
Poster of Top Sergeant
Top Sergeant
Don Porter was 29 in Top Sergeant as 'Al Bennett'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jun 14 1942
Poster of Mystery of the White Room
Mystery of the White Room
Don Porter was 26 in Mystery of the White Room as 'Dr. Donald Fox'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 17 1939

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Matlock
Matlock
Don Porter was 73+ in Matlock
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Mar 03 1986
Poster of Hotel
Hotel
Don Porter was 69+ in Hotel
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Aug 21 1982
Poster of Vega$
Vega$
Don Porter was 65+ in Vega$
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 20 1978
Poster of The Paper Chase
The Paper Chase
Don Porter was 65+ in The Paper Chase
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 09 1978
Poster of Dallas
Dallas
Don Porter was 65+ in Dallas as 'Matt Devlin'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Apr 02 1978
Poster of The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Don Porter was 65+ in The Love Boat as 'Slade Summerhill'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 24 1977
Poster of Three's Company
Three's Company
Don Porter was 64+ in Three's Company
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Mar 15 1977
Poster of City of Angels
City of Angels
Don Porter was 63+ in City of Angels
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Feb 03 1976
Poster of The Bionic Woman
The Bionic Woman
Don Porter was 63+ in The Bionic Woman
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Jan 14 1976
Poster of Ellery Queen
Ellery Queen
Don Porter was 62+ in Ellery Queen
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 11 1975
Poster of Switch
Switch
Don Porter was 62+ in Switch as 'Paul Lorimer, Salvensen'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Sep 09 1975
Poster of Archer
Archer
Don Porter was 62+ in Archer
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jan 30 1975
Poster of The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
Don Porter was 61+ in The Six Million Dollar Man as 'Dr. Stanley Bacon'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jan 18 1974
Poster of Barnaby Jones
Barnaby Jones
Don Porter was 60+ in Barnaby Jones as 'Jeremy Markham'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 28 1973
Poster of The Rookies
The Rookies
Don Porter was 59+ in The Rookies
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 11 1972
Poster of Love, American Style
Love, American Style
Don Porter was 57+ in Love, American Style
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 29 1969
Poster of The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
Don Porter was 56+ in The Mod Squad
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Sep 24 1968
Poster of Here's Lucy
Here's Lucy
Don Porter was 55+ in Here's Lucy as 'Ken Richards'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 23 1968
Poster of Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O
Don Porter was 55+ in Hawaii Five-O as 'Jonathan Cavel, Alex Kelsey'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1968
Poster of Judd for the Defense
Judd for the Defense
Don Porter was 54+ in Judd for the Defense
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 08 1967
Poster of The F.B.I.
The F.B.I.
Don Porter was 52+ in The F.B.I. as 'Mason Hammond'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 19 1965
Poster of Green Acres
Green Acres
Don Porter was 52+ in Green Acres
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 15 1965
Poster of Gidget
Gidget
Don Porter was 52+ in Gidget as 'Professor Russell Lawrence'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 15 1965
Poster of Vacation Playhouse
Vacation Playhouse
Don Porter was 50+ in Vacation Playhouse as 'Battersea, The Housekeeper'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jul 22 1963
Poster of Private Secretary
Private Secretary
Don Porter was 40+ in Private Secretary
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Feb 01 1953