Jack Donner is a renowned actor, best known for his portrayal of Romulan Subcommander Tal in the original Star Trek series (1966). With a career spanning over six decades, he has worked extensively in television, film, and theater. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Donner began his professional career in the 1950s, performing in various theater and television productions.
Early in his career, Donner appeared in several prestigious television shows, including Studio One (1948),As the World Turns (1956),and Guiding Light (1952). He also worked in regional and stock theater in New York, where he spent seven seasons. Returning to Los Angeles, Donner continued to work in television, landing guest star and co-star roles in shows such as The Streets of San Francisco (1972),Mannix (1967),Kojak (1973),and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964).
Donner's most notable recurring role was in the television series Mission: Impossible (1966),where he appeared in eleven episodes. He also founded his own theater and drama school with fellow actor Lee Delano, which trained notable students such as Barry Levinson, Craig T. Nelson, Barbara Parkins, and Don Johnson.
In recent years, Donner has appeared in a range of television shows, including Baywatch (1989),Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997),Frasier (1993),Charmed (1998),General Hospital (1963),Chicken Soup for the Soul (1999),Good vs Evil (1999),Malcolm in the Middle (2000),and Roswell (1999). He has also had recurring roles in The Privateers (2000) and appeared in several feature films, including Gideon (1998) and Family Tree (1999).
Donner has also had success in the horror genre, with roles in Retro Puppet Master (1999),Stigmata (1999),Demon Under Glass (2002),and Exorcism (2003). With his distinctive voice, silver-white hair, and patrician profile, he has been compared to Vincent Price for his roles in these films.
