Don Marshall's heyday was a notable period in the 1960s and 1970s, where he made a lasting impact on the small screen. As a talented and athletic actor, he is best remembered for his portrayal of first officer and co-pilot Dan Erickson in Irwin Allen's groundbreaking science-fiction series, Land of the Giants, which aired from 1968.
Having excelled in various sports during his college days, including football, pole vaulting, and other athletic pursuits, Don was more than happy to undertake most of his own stunt work, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
As one of the few African-American actors of that period to be regularly featured as a prime-time lead on screen, Don was part of a select group that included Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek and Greg Morris from Mission: Impossible.
Land of the Giants, despite its short two-season run of 51 episodes, went on to acquire a dedicated cult following among science-fiction enthusiasts.
Don's journey in the entertainment industry began in the mid-1950s, when he started out as an engineering student, but eventually turned to acting on the advice of a friend. He honed his craft by studying drama at the workshop of Hollywood acting coach Robert Gist and pursuing theatre arts at Los Angeles City College.
Following a brief stint in stage productions, Don transitioned into television, landing a small role in an episode of The Lieutenant, a short-lived series produced by Gene Roddenberry. Years later, he was again recruited by Roddenberry to play the part of astrophysicist Boma in the Star Trek episode "The Galileo Seven," reuniting him with Bob Gist, who served as director.
Don had the opportunity to showcase his acting skills in several powerful scenes, interacting with Leonard Nimoy. In the years that followed, he appeared in numerous TV shows, ranging from Daktari and Ironside to Julia, as well as in several films, including the violent "blaxploitation" prison drama Terminal Island and the sci-fi outing The Thing with Two Heads.
As the 1970s progressed, plum roles became less frequent, and Don focused on running his own production company, DJM Productions, which specialized in producing commercials and documentary subjects. Latterly, Don became a regular attendee at sci-fi conventions, where he always spoke fondly of the genre and Roddenberry in particular.
Sadly, Don Marshall passed away on October 30, 2016, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy as a talented actor and a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.
