--- name: "Royal Dano" canonical: "https://film.one/person/royal-dano" fi1m_id: "royal-dano" imdb_id: "nm0200455" tmdb_id: 19968 wikidata_id: "Q1344213" roles: ["Actor"] born: "16 November 1922" died: "15 May 1994" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-25T08:14:03.754191+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Royal Dano ## Identity Royal Dano - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/royal-dano - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** royal-dano - **IMDb ID:** nm0200455 - **TMDB ID:** 19968 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1344213 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dano, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1344213, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200455/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19968 Actor. Born 16 November 1922 in New York City, New York, USA. Died 15 May 1994. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 16 November 1922, New York City, New York, USA - **Died:** 15 May 1994 - **Active:** 1954–1990 - **Also known as:** Royal Edward Dano Sr. - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 82 (2), 1960s 57 (1), 1980s 86 (1), 1990s 86 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 82 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Western 3, Drama 2, History 1, Mystery 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $33m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dano, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1344213, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200455/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19968 ## Streaming the US now - **Tubi:** [*Man of the West*](https://film.one/film/man-of-the-west.md) (79) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Royal Dano > Royal Dano's deep, croaky voice and gaunt face made him particularly useful when a film needed unease. We rate his ability to make supporting parts register, though the repeated demand for sinister men could leave him with little else to do. The voice is deep and croaky; the face is gaunt, the figure tall and lean. Royal Dano gives a casting director several reasons to think of trouble before he has been given a line. His cowboys, villains and gloomy supporting characters were often narrow assignments, but he could make them distinguishable in an ensemble. We value that skill, while wishing the casting had more often asked something beyond looking and sounding ominous. His 1950s work offers the clearest introduction, from the Tattered Soldier in *The Red Badge of Courage* (1951) to westerns with Anthony Mann and James Stewart, including *Bend of the River* (1952) and *The Far Country* (1954). Then there is Corey in Nicholas Ray's *Johnny Guitar* (1954), a fierce, theatrical film carried by Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge. We were unsettled by the hatred between them, because their performances make it credible even when the dialogue becomes too emphatic. We would start here, with the warning that the arguments sometimes run longer than they need to. In *Man of the West* (1958), Mann casts him as Trout, within another western whose solemnity can become oppressive. Gary Cooper's quiet performance is the chief reason we recommend it; Lee J. Cobb sometimes presses too hard, and the film gives violence its proper weight. The severity is a natural setting for Dano's voice and appearance, though those same qualities encouraged filmmakers to keep asking for variations on the sinister figure. Mann remains the director to follow through this part of his work. The later work took him into horror and comedy, with Farmer Gene Green in *Killer Klowns from Outer Space* (1988) and Digger Holt in *The Dark Half* (1993), his final film. That move makes sense for an actor whose voice could make authority sound ominous. Typecasting gave him a recognisable place, but it also narrowed what was asked of him. For more, follow his work with Mann back to *Bend of the River*. ## Biography Royal Dano was an American character actor whose career in film and television spanned 46 years. Born in New York City on 16 November 1922, he began in the theatre and made his Broadway debut in the musical Finian's Rainbow. His film debut came in Undercover Girl (1950). Dano appeared frequently in westerns and was often cast as cowboys, villains or eccentrics. Notable roles include Corey in Johnny Guitar (1954), the Tattered Soldier in The Red Badge of Courage (1951), Elijah in Moby Dick (1956), Ten Spot in The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and Farmer Gene Green in Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988). He also provided the voice of Abraham Lincoln for Walt Disney's Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Hall of Presidents attractions. He died in Santa Monica, California, on 15 May 1994. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Twin Peaks* (1990), Fi1m 86, as Judge Clinton Sternwood — [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md) - *The Right Stuff* (1983), Fi1m 86, as Minister — [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md) - *Cimarron* (1960), Fi1m 57, as Ike Howes — [page](https://film.one/film/cimarron.md) - *Man of the West* (1958), Fi1m 79, as Trout — [page](https://film.one/film/man-of-the-west.md) - *Johnny Guitar* (1954), Fi1m 84, as Corey — [page](https://film.one/film/johnny-guitar.md) ## Complete filmography (150) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Dark Half* (1993), as Digger Holt - *Spaced Invaders* (1990), as Wrenchmuller - *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as Judge Clinton Sternwood — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md) - *Once Upon a Texas Train* (1988), as Nitro Jones - *Killer Klowns from Outer Space* (1988), as Farmer Gene Green - *Date with an Angel* (1987), as Treating Doctor in Hospital - *Ghoulies II* (1987), as Uncle Ned - *House II: The Second Story* (1987), as Gramps - *Red Headed Stranger* (1986), as Larn Claver - *Amazing Stories* (1985), series, as Salvation Army Officer, Elmer Quick - *Cocaine Wars* (1985), as Bailey - *Teachers* (1984), as Ditto Stiles - *The Right Stuff* (1983), as Minister — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md) - *Joe Dancer III: The Big Trade* (1983), as Cow John - *Something Wicked This Way Comes* (1983), as Tom Fury - *Will There Really Be a Morning?* (1983), as Ernest Farmer - *Hammett* (1982), as Pops - *Take This Job and Shove It* (1981), as Beeber - *A Dream Called Walt Disney World* (1981), as Abraham Lincoln (voice) - *Back to the Planet of the Apes* (1980), as Farrow - *The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang* (1979), as Pa Dalton - *In Search of Historic Jesus* (1979), as Prophet #1 - *Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter* (1979), as Mr. Willis - *The Crash of Flight 401* (1978), Actor - *Donner Pass: The Road to Survival* (1978), as Sutter - *Huckleberry Finn* (1978), as Mark Twain - *Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell* (1978), as Will Hays - *CHiPs* (1977), series, as Coroner - *Bad Georgia Road* (1977), as Arthur Pennyrich - *The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries* (1977), series, Actor - *Code R* (1977), series, as Carson - *Quincy, M.E.* (1976), series, Actor - *The Killer Inside Me* (1976), as Father - *The Captive: The Longest Drive 2* (1976), Actor - *Drum* (1976), as Zeke Montgomery - *The Outlaw Josey Wales* (1976), as Ten Spot - *The Quest* (1976), series, Actor - *Messiah of Evil* (1975), as Joseph Lang - *Capone* (1975), as Anton J. Cermak - *The Wild Party* (1975), as Tex - *Big Bad Mama* (1974), as Reverend Johnson - *Planet of the Apes* (1974), series, as Farrow - *Police Woman* (1974), series, as Country Store Owner - *Little House on the Prairie* (1974), series, as Mr. Hector Webb - *Doc Elliot* (1973), series, Actor - *Cahill: United States Marshal* (1973), as MacDonald - *Electra Glide in Blue* (1973), as Coroner - *Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies* (1973), as Jake - *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor - *Howzer* (1973), as Nick Murack - *Kung Fu* (1972), series, as Henry Skowrin - *Moon of the Wolf* (1972), as Tom Sr. - *The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid* (1972), as Gustavson - *The Culpepper Cattle Co.* (1972), as Cattle Rustler - *The Man Hunter* (1972), as Pa Bocock - *Emergency!* (1972), series, as Hallucinating Man - *Skin Game* (1971), as John Brown - *Cannon* (1971), series, Actor - *Decisions! Decisions!* (1971), as Tex - *Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns* (1971), as Zach - *Alias Smith and Jones* (1971), series, Actor - *Night Gallery* (1970), series, as Owen - *Run, Simon, Run* (1970), as Sheriff Tacksberry - *The Undefeated* (1969), as Major Sanders - *Then Came Bronson* (1969), series, as Sheriff Charlie Binns - *My World and Welcome to It* (1969), series, Actor - *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Hody Linquist - *Backtrack!* (1969), as Faraway (archive footage) - *Death of a Gunfighter* (1969), as Arch Brandt - *If He Hollers, Let Him Go!* (1968), as Carl Blair - *The Outcasts* (1968), series, Actor - *Adam-12* (1968), series, as Walter Covey - *Day of the Evil Gun* (1968), as Dr. Eli Prather - *The Guns of Will Sonnett* (1967), series, Actor - *Hondo* (1967), series, Actor - *Cimarron Strip* (1967), series, Actor - *The Last Challenge* (1967), as Pretty Horse - *Welcome to Hard Times* (1967), as John Bear - *The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones* (1966), as Otto - *Pistols 'n' Petticoats* (1966), series, Actor - *Gunpoint* (1966), as Ode - *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Newman, Jess Buford - *Lost in Space* (1965), series, as Major Domo - *The Big Valley* (1965), series, as Ezra, The Vet, Jesse Bleeck, Rufus Morton - *The Legend of Jesse James* (1965), series, as Jailer - *Daniel Boone* (1964), series, as Matty Brenner, John Maddox - *7 Faces of Dr. Lao* (1964), as Carey - *Mr. Novak* (1963), series, as Mr. Metcalfe - *The Fugitive* (1963), series, as Preacher — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fugitive-1963.md) - *Savage Sam* (1963), as Pack Underwood - *The Dakotas* (1963), series, Actor - *Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol* (1962), as Marley's Ghost (voice) - *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Mr. Miley - *The Virginian* (1962), series, as Dan Molder, Faraway MacPhail, Faraway McPhail, Daniels, Uncle Dell Benton - *King of Kings* (1961), as Peter - *The New Breed* (1961), series, as Harry Tilden - *Ben Casey* (1961), series, Actor - *Target: The Corruptors!* (1961), series, as Jesse - *Posse from Hell* (1961), as Uncle Billy - *Gunslinger* (1961), series, as El Señor - *Cimarron* (1960), as Ike Howes — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/cimarron.md) - *The Case of the Dangerous Robin* (1960), series, Actor - *Route 66* (1960), series, Actor - *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* (1960), as Harlan - *Tate* (1960), series, Actor - *Hound-Dog Man* (1959), as Fiddling Tom Waller - *The Rebel* (1959), series, as Amos Cooper, Ben Crowe - *Johnny Ringo* (1959), series, as Lucas Frome - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Matt Jeffers, Jason Ganther - *Face of Fire* (1959), as Jake Winter - *The Boy and the Bridge* (1959), as Evangelist - *These Thousand Hills* (1959), as Carmichael - *Never Steal Anything Small* (1959), as Words Cannon - *Rawhide* (1959), series, as Monty Fox, Jeb Newton, Mr. Teisner, Sam Wentworth - *Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse* (1958), series, Actor - *Man of the West* (1958), as Trout — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/man-of-the-west.md) - *The Rifleman* (1958), series, Actor - *Wanted: Dead or Alive* (1958), series, as Charlie Wright - *Handle with Care* (1958), as Al Lees - *Saddle the Wind* (1958), as Clay Ellison - *Man in the Shadow* (1957), as Aiken Clay - *All Mine to Give* (1957), as Howard Tyler - *Have Gun, Will Travel* (1957), series, Actor - *Trooper Hook* (1957), as Mr. Trude - *Crime of Passion* (1956), as Capt. Charlie Alidas - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Will - *Wire Service* (1956), series, as Carl Strawn - *Tension at Table Rock* (1956), as Harry Jameson - *Santiago* (1956), as Lobo - *Moby Dick* (1956), as Elijah - *Tribute to a Bad Man* (1956), as Abe - *The 20th Century Fox Hour* (1955), series, Actor - *The Trouble with Harry* (1955), as Calvin Wiggs - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Martin Ross, Mr. Atkins - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Obie Tater, Seth Tandy, Bender, Praylie, Lambert, Rory Luken, Jefferson Dooley, Jessup, Gideon Hale, Watney, Henry Mather - *The Millionaire* (1955), series, as Hap Connolly - *Climax!* (1954), series, as Sergeant, Doctor - *Father Knows Best* (1954), series, as Sageman - *Johnny Guitar* (1954), as Corey — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/johnny-guitar.md) - *The Far Country* (1954), as Luke - *Letter to Loretta* (1953), series, as Roy Henry - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Confederate Deserter - *Bend of the River* (1952), as Long Tom - *Flame of Araby* (1951), as Basra - *The Red Badge of Courage* (1951), as The Tattered Man - *Under the Gun* (1951), as Sam Nugent, trustee-gunner - *Undercover Girl* (1950), as The Moocher - *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Sergeant Finley - *Suspense* (1949), series, as Policeman, Marvin the Push, Lucky - *Studio One* (1948), series, as Tom Doan, Zack ## Gallery - ![Royal Dano in the American film The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960) - publicity still (cropped).](https://film.one/media/person/364997/gallery-bf4652dc4b7c.jpg) Royal Dano in the American film The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960) - publicity still (cropped). — unknown (MGM), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Royal_Dano_in_The_Adventures_of_Huckleberry_Finn.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Royal Dano](https://film.one/media/person/364997/gallery-1609eb793e10.jpg) Royal Dano — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/royal-dano