Donald Moffat, the renowned actor, was born in England to an insurance agent father. He was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and initially appeared on the Shakespearean stage with the Old Vic.
Moffat stage managed the popular revue "Salad Days" in 1954, but later relocated to the United States due to discontentment with the class system in Britain. He accompanied his American actress wife to her home state in Oregon, where he initially tried his hand at bartending and as a lumberjack.
After six months, Moffat returned to his original passion for acting, motivated by the realization that America seemed more theatrically vibrant than his native Britain. He began his career in the United States with an amateur theatre group in Princeton, earning a meager income of $25 a week.
To supplement his income, Moffat worked as a carpenter before making his Broadway debut in "Under Milkwood" in 1957. He went on to have a successful career, appearing in numerous productions both on and off-Broadway, as well as in regional theatres across the United States.
Moffat was known for his ability to adapt to diverse roles, losing his British accent early on and becoming a believable American in his performances. He was a subtle actor who made good use of his mellow but resonant voice and strong stage presence.
On the screen, Moffat began his career as a TV supporting player, appearing in numerous guest roles in popular shows such as "Hawaii Five-O," "Bonanza," "Mission: Impossible," "Mannix," and "The West Wing." He made his cinematic debut in 1968 as the deceased father of Joanne Woodward's protagonist in "Rachel, Rachel."
Moffat's notable film roles include the shady president in "Clear and Present Danger," the ill-fated station commander Garry in "The Thing," and Lyndon B. Johnson in "The Right Stuff." He was described as a consummate professional and won an Obie award for his performances.
Donald Moffat retired in 2005 and passed away on December 20, 2018, at the age of 87.
