Severn Darden
Biography
Severn Teakle Darden Jr. (November 9, 1929 – May 27, 1995) was an American comedian and actor, and a founding member of The Second City Chicago-based comedy troupe as well as its predecessor, the Compass Players. He is known from his film appearances for playing the human leader Kolp in the fourth and fifth Planet of the Apes films. His live comedy improv skit under the character of "Walther von der Vogelweide" was influential with two generations of comic performers. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he attended the University of Chicago, where he was a "campus legend" according to poet Paul Carroll. Darden’s offbeat and intellectual sense of humor was a major element in the style of The Second City at that time, and is evident throughout his work. Carroll described him as a combination of surrealistic New Orleans and tough, caustic "Chicago Style" comedy. An example of his offbeat humor is the way he squeezed the phrase "Know thyself" into the seven-character limitation of a New Mexico license plate: NOYOSEF. Darden was a core comedian in Paul Sills' Compass Players, the first improvisation theater in the US; it performed around the Chicago area during the mid-1950s. Sills went on to found The Second City in 1959 and brought in many of the comedians from Compass Players, including Darden.
Known For
Kolp
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Kolp
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Van Helsing
Saturday the 14th
Sheriff Dempsey
Jackson County Jail
Moshe Meyer
Victory at Entebbe
Bathazar
Justine
Kropotkin
The President's Analyst
J. Hovah
Vanishing Point
Cecil
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Dr. Barbour
Why Would I Lie?
Schwinn
The Day of the Dolphin
Merlin Bitterstix
Wanda Nevada
Miles Fisher
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round
Roger, Man in Gallery
Playmates
Lawyer
Cisco Pike
Harry
The Man Who Died Twice
Mr. Fletch / Dr. DeHart
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?
Dr. Fahrquardt
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
Mr. Hobart
Quarterback Princess
Albert Church
Rendezvous Hotel
H.S. Stevens
The Double-Barrelled Detective Story
Mr. Marduke
The Legend of Hillbilly John
Dr. Barazini
Back to School
S.I. Gilbert
The Disappearance of Aimee
Art Professor
A Small Circle of Friends
Alfredo Suero
Evita Peron
Big Jim McDaniel
Dirty Little Billy
Cap
Never Con a Killer
Dr. Meredith
Real Genius
Shelton Quell
P.J.
Jimmy Apache
The Movie Murderer
Sheriff Dempsey
Outside Chance
Paul
A Cry for Love
Nate
The Mad Room
Morgue Attendant
Half Nelson
Vandergist
Luv
Moran
Mother, Jugs & Speed
Mr. Barrington
Orphan Train
The Telephone
Dr. Harris
The War Between Men and Women
Steve Kramer
Skyway to Death
Maddox
Hopscotch
Doctor
Goldstein
Jonathan Barnavelt
Once Upon a Midnight Scary
The Good Doctor / Claude
Fearless Frank
To See or Not to See
Hypnotist
Play It as It Lays
McVey
The Hired Hand
Priest
In God We Tru$t
Mayor
The Last Movie
Camera Shop Owner
Model Shop
U.S. President / Fillmard Millmore
The Virgin President
Fred Hallem
Love for Rent
One
Werewolves on Wheels
Conway
Rooster
Bongo Wolf’s Revenge
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
56
Gender
Male
Birthday
1929-11-09
Place of Birth
Also Known As