Don Melvoin(1922-2002)
- Actor
Melvoin received notoriety for his show business career, mainly in television in Northern Michigan. Born Donald J. Melvoin, he spent most of his life performing, from playing the drums to his big break in television on WPBN as "Deputy Don" in a 1950s kids show in Traverse City, Michigan. He hosted the "Fireman Freddy Show" in Grand Rapids, Michigan as well as the "Don Melovin Show." He resided in Indiana, Las Vegas, and Hollywood where he acted in popular TV show such as "Bonanza," "Mayberry RFD," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Twilight Zone," and "Night Gallery." He had a couple bit parts in two movies, "Somewhere in Time," which was filmed on Mackinac Island in 1980 starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour and in another movie starring Ernest Borgnine, "The Treasure of Sawdust Island" in 1999. Later, he returned to WPBN in Traverse City to host a horror series as "Count Zappula." He retired and spent his final years in Traverse City with his favorite acting partner, his dog, Lover.
