Daniel J. Travanti has appeared in leading roles at The American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge Massachusetts (Con Melody in "A TOUCH OF THE POET," directed by Joe Dowling); The Arena Stage, Washington, D.C. ("POET," Directed by Michael Kahn); The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego (Mashkan in "OLD WICKED SONGS"); The Ambassadors Theatre, London (Valmont in "LES LIAISONS DAN-GEREUSES," Directed by David Leveaux); Wyndham Theatre, London ("THE ASPERN PAPERS"); National Tours of "TWIGS," Directed by Michael Bennett; and "I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER."
He has been nominated as Best Actor eight times for his work in television: five times for the series, "HILL STREET BLUES;" for "ADAM MURROW;" a "CASE OF LIBEL;" and as best Narrator/Host for "HOW TO RAISE A STREETSMART CHILD." He has won two Emmy Awards as Best Actor, and a Golden Globe as Best Actor in a Drama Series. He has received two Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Emerson College, Boston; and from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Most recently, Mr. Travanti has appeared at the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, in "OLD WICKED SONGS" and as Joe Keller in "ALL MY SONS." His recent film work includes two independent films: "SIAO YU," and "DESIGN," for both of which he received stellar reviews. He refuses most work because he is seldom offered good material, except in the theatre.
(Additional bio information)
Mr. Travanti other eary stage roles in NYC, included the 1965 New York Shakespeare Festival production of "Othello" with James Earl Jones and opposite Sada Thompson in the 1972 Broadway play "Twigs".
At the beginning of his career, the actor was often billed as Dan Travanty, including many of his early TV credits as a guest performer on such series as "Route 66", "The Patty Duke Show", "East Side/West Side" and "Gidget".
He continued as a journeyman actor throughout the 70s, in features (e.g., "St. Ives" 1976) and had several guest roles in drama and sitcoms.
After turning 40, Travanti found himself an "overnight success" thanks to Steven Bochco who tapped him for the anchor role of Furillo. He brought the needed gravity to the role but also displayed a romantic side in his scenes with Veronica Hamel.
Travanti starred in several TV-movies, most notably "Adam" (NBC, 1983), in which he was cast as John Walsh, the father who, after his son is kidnapped and murdered, founded an organization to help locate missing children. (He reprised the role in the 1986 sequel "Adam: His Song Continues".) He had the title role in one of HBO's first original movies, the biopic "Murrow" (1986), focusing on the career of the legendary news commentator Edward R. Murrow.
In 1990, Travanti was a corporate executive who seeks revenge against a spy agency in "Tagget" (USA Network) and later played the husband of an alcoholic in "My Name is Kate" (ABC, 1994).
Travanty briefly returned to series work twice; starring as the head of a special Chicago police unit in "Missing Persons" (ABC, 1993) and joining the cast of Showtime's "Poltergeist: The Legacy" for the 1995-96 season as the head of the team investigating paranormal activity.(From www.hollywood.com)
