Actor Donald Moffat, Gone at 87

British-born actor Donald Moffatt passed away December 20, 2018, in Sleepy Hollow, New York. He was Rem in the television adaptation of Logan’s Run, Lyndon B. Johnson in The Right Stuff, and Garry, the station commander, in the 1982 film The Thing. His theatrical career spanned half a century, with roles in Shakespeare, westerns, mysteries, and science fiction. Those who know him only as the android in Logan’s Run may be surprised to learn he was a Tony-nominated actor on Broadway.

Donald Moffat was 87. He died of complications from a stroke, according to his daughter Lynn. He is survived by his second wife, actress Gwen Arner, three daughters and a son, three grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Although Mmoffat was born in Plymouth, Devonshire, and trained for his acting career at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, most of his career was spent in the United States. He was, in fact, a naturalized U.S. citizen. His first wife, actress Anne Murray Ellsperman was American, and he followed her to this country. in 1956. They were married from 1954 to 1968 and had two children. He married his second wife, actress/director Gwen Arner in 1970. They also had two children, and remained together until his death, which tragically occurred only a week before his 88th birthday.

Moffat was nominated for a Tony Award for his roles in Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck and Pirandello’s Right If You Think You Are. He won an Obie Award for his role in the Pulitzer-nominated play Painting Churches. His performance as Falstaff in Henry IV, Part One, was much admired. His first theatrcal role was in Macbeth in London’s Old Vic Theatre. His final role was in Law & Order: Trial by Jury in 2005.

In addition to Logan’s Run. his many television roles included The West Wing, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Columbo, The Twilight Zone, Ironside, Mannix, and Night Gallery. He had over 200 film and television roles. Some of his most popular films were Clear and Present Danger, The Thing, The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, Far North, and The Right Stuff.

If you have a memory of Donald Moffat you want to share, you can do it in the Comments section below.

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Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.