Severn Darden
Known for Acting · 89 credits
- Born
- 1929-11-09
- Died
- 1995-05-27
Biography
Severn Teakle Darden Jr. (November 9, 1929 – May 27, 1995) was an American comedian and actor, and a founding member of The Second City Chicago-based comedy troupe as well as its predecessor, the Compass Players. He is known from his film appearances for playing the human leader Kolp in the fourth and fifth Planet of the Apes films. His live comedy improv skit under the character of "Walther von der Vogelweide" was influential with two generations of comic performers.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he attended the University of Chicago, where he was a "campus legend" according to poet Paul Carroll. Darden’s offbeat and intellectual sense of humor was a major element in the style of The Second City at that time, and is evident throughout his work. Carroll described him as a combination of surrealistic New Orleans and tough, caustic "Chicago Style" comedy. An example of his offbeat humor is the way he squeezed the phrase "Know thyself" into the seven-character limitation of a New Mexico license plate: NOYOSEF.
Darden was a core comedian in Paul Sills' Compass Players, the first improvisation theater in the US; it performed around the Chicago area during the mid-1950s. Sills went on to found The Second City in 1959 and brought in many of the comedians from Compass Players, including Darden.
Known For
TV Shows (31)
Cheers
1982
as Professor DeWitt
The Six Million Dollar Man
1974
as Apploy
Barney Miller
1975
as Randolph Cook
I Dream of Jeannie
1965
as Milton
Starsky & Hutch
1975
as Mr. Wheeler
Daniel Boone
1964
as Sir Hubert Spencer
Laverne & Shirley
1976
The Fall Guy
1981
The Name of the Game
1968
as Cameron
Baretta
1975
The Monkees
1966
as Guggins / Mental Problem Specialist (uncredited)
The Bionic Woman
1976
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Franklin
Faerie Tale Theatre
1982
as Farmer Silas
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
Harry O
1974
Honey West
1965
as Dr. Gregory Ames
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
1974
as Dr. Aaron Pollack
Flying High
1978
Occasional Wife
1966
City of Angels
1976
as Winnie
Barbary Coast
1975
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
as S.I. Gilbert, Aimee's lawyer
Beyond Westworld
1980
as Foley
Barefoot in the Park
1970
The Practice
1976
The Man and the City
1971
Getting Together
1971
Lincoln
1974
as Gideon Welles
Take Five
1987
Beauty and the Beast
1987
as Waterman / Mr. Smythe
Movies (58)
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
1973
as Kolp
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
1970
as Dr. Fahrquardt
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
1972
as Kolp
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
1969
as Cecil
Vanishing Point
1971
as J. Hovah
Real Genius
1985
as Dr. Meredith
Back to School
1986
as Dr. Barazini
Cisco Pike
1972
as Lawyer
Hopscotch
1980
as Maddox
Model Shop
1969
as Camera Shop Owner
Luv
1967
as Vandergist
P.J.
1968
as Shelton Quell
The Day of the Dolphin
1973
as Schwinn
Outside Chance
1978
as Sheriff Dempsey
Mother, Jugs & Speed
1976
as Moran
Justine
1969
as Bathazar
The Last Movie
1971
as Mayor
Wanda Nevada
1979
as Merlin Bitterstix
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round
1966
as Miles Fisher
The Telephone
1988
Jackson County Jail
1976
as Sheriff Dempsey
In God We Tru$t
1980
as Priest
The Disappearance of Aimee
1976
as S.I. Gilbert
Evita Peron
1981
as Alfredo Suero
Victory at Entebbe
1976
as Moshe Meyer
The War Between Men and Women
1972
as Dr. Harris
Half Nelson
1985
as Morgue Attendant
The President's Analyst
1967
as Kropotkin
The Hired Hand
1971
as McVey
Saturday the 14th
1981
as Van Helsing
Quarterback Princess
1983
as Mr. Hobart
Dirty Little Billy
1972
as Big Jim McDaniel
Playmates
1972
as Roger, Man in Gallery
A Small Circle of Friends
1980
as Art Professor
Rooster
1982
as Conway
Play It as It Lays
1972
as Hypnotist
Once Upon a Midnight Scary
1979
as Jonathan Barnavelt
Fearless Frank
1969
as The Good Doctor / Claude
Skyway to Death
1974
as Steve Kramer
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?
1975
as Mr. Fletch / Dr. DeHart
Why Would I Lie?
1980
as Dr. Barbour
The Princess Who Had Never Laughed
1986
as Farmer Silas
Orphan Train
1979
as Mr. Barrington
The Movie Murderer
1970
as Jimmy Apache
The Legend of Hillbilly John
1974
as Mr. Marduke
The Virgin President
1968
as U.S. President / Fillmard Millmore
Never Con a Killer
1977
as Cap
The Mad Room
1969
as Nate
The Double-Barrelled Detective Story
1965
as H.S. Stevens
Love for Rent
1979
as Fred Hallem
A Cry for Love
1980
as Paul
Werewolves on Wheels
1971
as One
The Man Who Died Twice
1973
as Harry
To See or Not to See
1969
Goldstein
1965
as Doctor
Rendezvous Hotel
1979
as Albert Church
Bongo Wolf’s Revenge
1970
Point of View
1966
About Severn Darden
Severn Teakle Darden Jr. (November 9, 1929 – May 27, 1995) was an American comedian and actor, and a founding member of The Second City Chicago-based comedy troupe as well as its predecessor, the Compass Players. He is known from his film appearances for playing the human leader Kolp in the fourth and fifth Planet of the Apes films. His live comedy improv skit under the character of "Walther von der Vogelweide" was influential with two generations of comic performers. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he attended the University of Chicago, where… With 89 credits spanning from 1951 to 1988, Severn Darden has appeared in 58 films and 31 TV shows.
Fans searching for Severn Darden movies, Severn Darden filmography, or the latest projects starring Severn Darden can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Severn Darden Movies
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) — as Kolp
- Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You (1970) — as Dr. Fahrquardt
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) — as Kolp
- They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) — as Cecil
- Vanishing Point (1971) — as J. Hovah
Where to Watch Severn Darden Films
Most Severn Darden movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Severn Darden, check our movies catalogue and browse page.