Don Matheson
Encyclopedia
Don Matheson is an American television actor, best known for his continuing role in Irwin Allen
's series Land of the Giants
.
Prior to entering acting, Matheson served in the military. While serving in Korea
, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valorous leadership and a Purple Heart
for injuries suffered in an explosion. After serving six years, he joined the Detroit Police Department. He then left law enforcement to begin a career in acting. In 1965 Matheson appeared in the Lost in Space
episode, The Sky Is Falling in the non-speaking roll of the alien Retho and then in 1968 as Idak Alpha 12 in the episode Revolt of the Androids.
After working in a number of plays, television episodes and commercials, Matheson was signed to join the cast of the Land of the Giants. He married co-star Deanna Lund
in 1970, but they were divorced in the late 1970s. In 1976, he played the role of wealthy industrialist, Cameron Faulker, who married Lesley Williams (Denise Alexander
) on General Hospital. His mistress, Peggy Lowell, was played by Lund. Cameron was later murdered.
In 1984, Matheson had a regular role in the primetime series Falcon Crest
. He played Richard Channing's henchman for a season. He also appeared briefly in another primetime soap, Dynasty
.
Irwin Allen
Irwin Allen was a television and film director and producer nicknamed "The Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film genre. He was also notable for creating a number of television series.- Biography :...
's series Land of the Giants
Land of the Giants
Land of the Giants was an hour-long American science fiction television program lasting two seasons beginning on September 22, 1968 and ending on March 22, 1970. The show was created and produced by Irwin Allen. Land of the Giants was the fourth of Allen's science fiction TV series. The show was...
.
Prior to entering acting, Matheson served in the military. While serving in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valorous leadership and a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
for injuries suffered in an explosion. After serving six years, he joined the Detroit Police Department. He then left law enforcement to begin a career in acting. In 1965 Matheson appeared in the Lost in Space
Lost in Space
Lost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968...
episode, The Sky Is Falling in the non-speaking roll of the alien Retho and then in 1968 as Idak Alpha 12 in the episode Revolt of the Androids.
After working in a number of plays, television episodes and commercials, Matheson was signed to join the cast of the Land of the Giants. He married co-star Deanna Lund
Deanna Lund
Deanna Lund is an American film and television actress best remembered for her role in the Irwin Allen television series Land of the Giants, where she played the character of Valerie Ames Scott.-Early life:...
in 1970, but they were divorced in the late 1970s. In 1976, he played the role of wealthy industrialist, Cameron Faulker, who married Lesley Williams (Denise Alexander
Denise Alexander
Denise Alexander is a well-known American soap opera actress, most known for her role as Lesley Webber on General Hospital, a role she originally played from 1973 to 1984 and 1996 to present....
) on General Hospital. His mistress, Peggy Lowell, was played by Lund. Cameron was later murdered.
In 1984, Matheson had a regular role in the primetime series Falcon Crest
Falcon Crest
Falcon Crest is an American primetime television soap opera which aired on the CBS network for nine seasons, from December 4, 1981 to May 17, 1990. A total of 227 episodes were produced....
. He played Richard Channing's henchman for a season. He also appeared briefly in another primetime soap, Dynasty
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
.