From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Donald Bruce Stewart (November 14, 1935 – January 9, 2006) was an American actor best known for his long-running role as attorney Mike Bauer on Guiding Light. Stewart appeared on Guiding Light from 1968 to 1984, with a brief return appearance in 1997.
Although born in Staten Island, New York, Stewart spent his youth in Norfolk, Nebraska. He served six years as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He also later served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve.
Stewart studied opera in New York City and landed a job as an understudy to Robert Goulet in the Broadway production of Camelot. After landing the role of Mike Bauer on Guiding Light, Stewart continued to perform in musical theater and nightclubs. Prior to Guiding Light, he appeared on numerous episodes of the 1960's television series Dragnet.
After leaving Guiding Light, Stewart relocated to California, where he made guest appearances in a number of television series, including L.A. Law, Highway to Heaven, and Knots Landing. He also provided the voice of Clem in the 1991 film Rover Dangerfield. His final public appearance was in a 2001 episode of JAG.
Although a nonsmoker, Stewart died of lung cancer in Santa Barbara, California at age 70. He was survived by his second wife and two daughters from his first marriage.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Don Stewart (actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Colorful American character actor equally adept at vicious killers or grizzled sidekicks. As a child he worked in the cotton fields. He attended Santa Monica Junior College in California and subsequently became an accountant and, at one time, manager of the Bel Air Hotel. Elam got his first movie job by trading his accounting services for a role. In short time he became one of the most memorable supporting players in Hollywood, thanks not only to his near-demented screen persona but also to an out-of-kilter left eye, sightless from a childhood fight. He appeared with great aplomb in Westerns and gangster films alike, and in later years played to wonderful effect in comedic roles.