Jack De Mave was born in New Jersey, surrounded by the thrill of theater and boxing from a young age. His father, Jack De Mave Sr., was a renowned boxer, a leading contender for the heavyweight championship of the world in the late 1920s, with an impressive record of 87 professional bouts and only 11 losses.
As a boy, Jack would often accompany his father to Stillman's Gym and Dempsey's restaurant, where he would meet his dad's friends, including Gene Tunney, Rocky Marciano, Mickey Walker, and Jack Dempsey. Jack's godfather was Primo Carnera.
Jack's early interest in boxing waned after seeing Paul Muni in "Inherit the Wind" on Broadway, which inspired him to pursue a career in acting. His mother, a casting director, had worked with John Golden, and Jack won a scholarship to work with Mary Welch, studying classical and contemporary theater.
Jack's professional stage debut was in "Picnic," opposite Inger Stevens, and he went on to appear in "Mr. Roberts" alongside Charlton Heston, earning rave reviews. He worked with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in "The Visit" and met notable theatrical legends like Laurence Olivier and Noel Coward.
Jack studied with Lee Strasberg, where he met Marilyn Monroe, and acted opposite Princess Lee Radziwill in "The Philadelphia Story," which garnered significant media attention. He co-starred with Ann Blyth in "Sound of Music," Nanette Fabray in "Applause," and Maureen Reagan in "Any Wednesday."
Jack's TV career began with a Kraft Theater production of "Kings Bounty" alongside Christopher Plummer, followed by guest-starring roles on various shows, including "Daniel Boone," "The F.B.I.," "The Fugitive," "Adam-12," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," and "Ellery Queen."
He later starred in the TV series "Lassie" as Ranger Bob Ericson for three years, and then appeared in recurring roles on "Mary Tyler Moore" and other shows, often playing romantic interests for leading ladies like Doris Day, Valerie Harper, Kelly McGillis, Susan Lucci, and Sandy Duncan.
One of Jack's most cherished experiences was costarring with Bette Davis in the TV movie "Hello Mother, Goodbye," where he played her newscaster son. Jack also appeared in recurring roles on daytime dramas like "General Hospital," "Loving," and "The Bold and The Beautiful."
In film, Jack appeared in "Splendor in the Grass," "Blindfold" alongside Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale, "Seventeen Seventy-Six" as John Penn, and "Man Without a Face" with Mel Gibson.
