Severn Darden
Acting
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.
Media of
Severn Darden
Photos (21)
Filmography of
Severn Darden
... 1988
Farmer Silas
... 1986
Dr. Barazini
... 1986
Dr. Meredith
... 1985
Morgue Attendant
... 1985
Mr. Hobart
... 1983
Conway
... 1982
Van Helsing
... 1981
Alfredo Suero
... 1981
Paul
... 1980
Maddox
... 1980
Priest
... 1980
Dr. Barbour
... 1980
Art Professor
... 1980
Mr. Barrington
... 1979
Fred Hallem
... 1979
Jonathan Barnavelt
... 1979
Albert Church
... 1979
Merlin Bitterstix
... 1979
Sheriff Dempsey
... 1978
... 1977
Moshe Meyer
... 1976
S.I. Gilbert
... 1976
Moran
... 1976
Sheriff Dempsey
... 1976
Mr. Fletch / Dr. DeHart
... 1975
Mr. Marduke
... 1974
Steve Kramer
... 1974
Schwinn
... 1973
... 1973
Harry
... 1973
Big Jim McDaniel
... 1972
Hypnotist
... 1972
Roger, Man in Gallery
... 1972
... 1972
Dr. Harris
... 1972
Lawyer
... 1972
Mayor
... 1971
McVey
... 1971
... 1971
J. Hovah
... 1971
Dr. Fahrquardt
... 1970
Jimmy Apache
... 1970
... 1970
... 1969
The Good Doctor / Claude
... 1969
... 1969
Bathazar
... 1969
Nate
... 1969
Camera Shop Owner
... 1969
U.S. President / Fillmard Millmore
... 1968
Shelton Quell
... 1968
Kropotkin
... 1967
Vandergist
... 1967
Miles Fisher
... 1966
... 1966
H.S. Stevens
... 1965
Doctor
... 1965