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Royal Dano (born November 16, 1922; died May 15, 1994) was an American film and television character actor.

Born in New York City, he left home at the age of 12 and at various intervals, lived in Florida, Texas and California. After reaching an agreement with his father, he agreed to continue his education, on the condition that he be allowed to travel.

Dano is best remembered for his supporting roles in a number of 1950s western and mystery films, but achieved cult status for his roles in three films in particular. In "The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao" (1964), he portrayed Carey.

With no spoken dialogue (only one solo song), Dano was unforgettable as the saddened, unnamed preacher in "The Right Stuff" (1983).

Dano is remembered fondly by his most ardent fans for his comedic performance as the undead gold prospector, Gramps, in the horror/suspense/comedy/Aztec adventure House II: The Second Story.

One of his final roles, the one for which he is best remembered by younger audiences, was as Wrenchmuller in 1990's "Spaced Invaders" (which has become a Halloween classic).

He frequently worked with Anthony Mann and James Stewart, usually as a sinister antagonist.

One interesting note is that Dano was the voice of Abraham Lincoln for Walt Disney's Hall of Presidents at the 1960 World's Fair. His voice was used when the exhibit was brought to Disneyland. Dano voiced Lincoln once again in 1964 in Disney's audioanimatronic production "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" for the 1964 World's Fair (which was also exhibited at Disneyland).

At age 71, Royal Dano died of a heart attack following a car accident.

• The Dark Half (1993) - Digger Holt
• Joey Takes a Cab (1991) - Actor
• Martians!!! (1990) - Wrenchmuller
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) - Farmer Gene Green
• House II: The Second Story (1987) - Gramps
• Ghoulies II (1987) - Uncle Ned
• Red Headed Stranger (1986) - Larn Claver
• Cocaine Wars (1985) - Bailey
• Teachers (1984) - Ditto Stiles
• The Right Stuff (1983) - Minister
• Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) - Tom Fury
• Hammett (1982) - Pops
• Take This Job and Shove It (1981) - Beeber
• In Search of Historic Jesus (1979) - Prophet
• The One Man Jury (1978) - Bartender
• Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell (1978) - Will Hays
• Bad Georgia Road (1977) - Arthur Pennyrich
• The Killer Inside Me (1976) - Father
• Drum (1976) - Zeke Montgomery
• The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) - Ten Spot
• Capone (1975) - Anton J. Cermak
• The Wild Party (1975) - Tex
• Big Bad Mama (1974) - Reverend Johnson
• Electra Glide in Blue (1973) - Coroner
• Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) - MacDonald, Hermit who sells Cahill the mule
• Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies (1973) - Jake
• Dead People (1973) - Joseph Long
• Howzer (1973) - Nick Murack
• The Great Northfield, Minnesota Raid (1972) - Gustavson
• The Culpepper Cattle Co. (1972) - Cattle Rustler
• Chandler (1971) - Sal Sachese (scenes deleted)
• Skin Game (1971) - John Brown (abolitionist)
• Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns (1971) - Zach
• Slingshot (1971) - Actor
• The Undefeated (1969) - Maj. Sanders, CSA (one-armed major)
• Death of a Gunfighter (1969) - Arch Brandt
• Night Hunt (1968) - Carl Blair
• Day of the Evil Gun (1968) - Dr. Eli Prather
• The Last Challenge (1967) - Pretty Horse
• Welcome to Hard Times (1967) - John Bear
• Gunpoint (1966) - Ode
• 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) - Carey
• Savage Sam (1963) - Pack Underwood (uncredited)
• A Pair of Boots (1962) - Actor
• King of Kings (1961) - Peter
• Posse from Hell (1961) - Uncle Billy
• Cimarron (1960) - Ike Howes (photographer)
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960) - Harlan, Sheriff
• Hound-Dog Man (1959) - Fiddling Tom Waller
• Face of Fire (1959) - Jake Winter
• These Thousand Hills (1959) - Carmichael
• Never Steal Anything Small (1959) - Words Cannon
• The Boy and the Bridge (1959) - Evangelist
• Man of the West (1958) - Trout
• Saddle the Wind (1958) - Clay Ellison, Owner of Strip
• Handle with Care (1958) - Al Lees
• All Mine to Give (1957) - Howard Tyler
• Man in the Shadow (1957) - Aiken Clay
• Trooper Hook (1957) - Mr. Trude, Stage Driver
• Crime of Passion (1957) - Police Capt. Charlie Alidos
• Tension at Table Rock (1956) - Harry Jameson
• Santiago (1956) - Lobo
• Moby Dick (1956) - 'Elijah'
• Tribute to a Bad Man (1956) - Abe
• The Trouble with Harry (1955) - Deputy Sheriff Calvin Wiggs
• The Far Country (1954) - Luke (Dawson miner)
• Johnny Guitar (1954) - Corey
• Carrie (1952) - Captain (uncredited)
• Bend of the River (1952) - Long Tom
• Flame of the Desert (1951) - Basra
• The Red Badge of Courage (1951) - The Tattered Soldier
• Under the Gun (1951) - Sam Nugent, trustee-gunner
• Undercover Girl (1950) - The Moocher

• Royal Dano at the Internet Movie Database
• [1] Listing of TV & film credits, with some photos.