Ted Bessell was a talented actor and director, best known for his role as Donald Hollinger on the hit TV series “That Girl.” Unfortunately, his promising career was cut tragically short when he died at the young age of 61 from an aortic aneurysm.
Bessell was born in Flushing, New York, in 1935. He attended school in New York before attending Michigan State University, where he graduated with a degree in communications. After college, he worked as a page at NBC before making his way to Hollywood.
Bessell’s big break came in 1966 when he was cast as the male lead in “That Girl,” opposite Marlo Thomas. The show was a huge hit and Bessell quickly became a fan favorite. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on the show in 1969.
After “That Girl” ended, Bessell continued to work in television and film. He directed episodes of popular shows such as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Alice,” and he also appeared in films such as “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium” and “The Magnificent Seven Ride!”
In the early 1990s, Bessell began to experience health problems. He was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and underwent surgery to repair it. Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful, and Bessell died in 1996.
Despite his untimely death, Ted Bessell is remembered as a talented actor and director who left a lasting impression on the entertainment industry.
Ted Bessell was an American actor, director, and producer, known for his work on television and film. He was born on March 20, 1935, in Flushing, New York, and began his acting career in the early 1960s, appearing in various TV series such as “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” and “The Joey Bishop Show.”
Bessell’s breakthrough role came in the 1969 series “That Girl,” in which he played Donald Hollinger, the love interest of Marlo Thomas’ character, Ann Marie. The show was a hit and ran for five seasons, cementing Bessell’s status as a TV star.
After “That Girl” ended, Bessell continued to work in television, both in front of and behind the camera. He directed episodes of shows such as “Alice” and “The Love Boat,” and also produced and directed TV movies. However, his career was tragically cut short when he died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm on October 6, 1996, at the age of 61.
Bessell was remembered fondly by his colleagues and fans for his talent, warmth, and kindness. Marlo Thomas paid tribute to him, saying, “Ted was such a beautiful man – inside and out. He was a gifted actor and director, and he brought so much to ‘That Girl.’ But more than that, he was a dear friend and a wonderful human being. I miss him every day.”
Despite his relatively short career, Ted Bessell left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry, and his contributions to television continue to be appreciated by audiences around the world. Ted Bessell’s talent and contributions to the entertainment industry will always be remembered.
