John Davidson Biography

After graduating from Denison University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, John began his career on Broadway in 1964 in Foxy, playing Bert Lahr’s son. Television producer Bob Banner discovered John in that musical, became his mentor, and encouraged him to envision a multi-faceted career. Broadway: State Fair, Foxy, Curly in Oklahoma! at NYCity Center. National Tours: Abel Frake in State Fair, Harold Hill in Music Man, Curly in Oklahoma!, Starbuck in 110 in the Shade, King Arthur and Lancelot in Camelot, Billy in Carousel, and I Do! I Do! Most recently John received rave reviews for playing President Teddy Roosevelt in the musical Teddy & Alice as well as in the one-man play Bully, in which he will tour in 1998. Recording: 12 albums. Nightclubs: Las Vegas Hilton, MGMGrand, Caesar’s Palace, Riviera, and Harrah’s Tahoe and Reno. Dramatic Television: "Streets of San Fran cisco" (playing a transvestite), "The Girl With Something Extra" (series co-starring Sally Fields), and "Spencer for Hire" (as a mentally disturbed minister). Disney Musical Films: The Happiest Millionaire, The Family Band. Variety TV: Host of "That’s Incredible!," "Hollywood Squares," "The John Davidson Show," and "Kraft Summer Music Hall," guest host for "The Tonight Show" for 14 weeks, three "Davidson Family Christmas" shows, and host with Carol Burnett of "The Entertainers." John and his wife Rhonda have three children, John Jr. (27), Jennifer (24), and Ashleigh (11), who is appearing with her father in Will Rodgers Follies and appeared with him in the NETworks tour of State Fair.