Severn Darden
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- November 9, 1929
- Died
- May 27, 1995
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.
Filmography
The Telephone 1988
Actor
The Princess Who Had Never Laughed 1986
as Farmer Silas
Back to School 1986
as Dr. Barazini
Real Genius 1985
as Dr. Meredith
Half Nelson 1985
as Morgue Attendant
Quarterback Princess 1983
as Mr. Hobart
Rooster 1982
as Conway
Saturday the 14th 1981
as Van Helsing
Evita Peron 1981
as Alfredo Suero
- A Cry for Love
A Cry for Love 1980
as Paul
In God We Tru$t 1980
as Priest
Hopscotch 1980
as Maddox
Why Would I Lie? 1980
as Dr. Barbour
A Small Circle of Friends 1980
as Art Professor
Orphan Train 1979
as Mr. Barrington
Love for Rent 1979
as Fred Hallem
Once Upon a Midnight Scary 1979
as Jonathan Barnavelt
- Rendezvous Hotel
Rendezvous Hotel 1979
as Albert Church
Wanda Nevada 1979
as Merlin Bitterstix
- Outside Chance
Outside Chance 1978
as Sheriff Dempsey
Never Con a Killer 1977
as Cap
Victory at Entebbe 1976
as Moshe Meyer
The Disappearance of Aimee 1976
as S.I. Gilbert
Mother, Jugs & Speed 1976
as Moran
Jackson County Jail 1976
as Sheriff Dempsey
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? 1975
as Mr. Fletch / Dr. DeHart
The Legend of Hillbilly John 1974
as Mr. Marduke
Skyway to Death 1974
as Steve Kramer
The Day of the Dolphin 1973
as Schwinn
Battle for the Planet of the Apes 1973
as Kolp
The Man Who Died Twice 1973
as Harry
Dirty Little Billy 1972
as Big Jim McDaniel
Play It as It Lays 1972
as Hypnotist
Playmates 1972
as Roger, Man in Gallery
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes 1972
as Kolp
The War Between Men and Women 1972
as Dr. Harris
Cisco Pike 1972
as Lawyer
The Last Movie 1971
as Mayor, Original Music Composer
Werewolves on Wheels 1971
as One
The Hired Hand 1971
as McVey
Vanishing Point 1971
as J. Hovah
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You 1970
as Dr. Fahrquardt
The Movie Murderer 1970
as Jimmy Apache
Bongo Wolf’s Revenge 1970
Actor
Fearless Frank 1969
as The Good Doctor / Claude
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? 1969
as Cecil
To See or Not to See 1969
Actor
Justine 1969
as Bathazar
The Mama Cass Television Program 1969
Writer
The Mad Room 1969
as Nate
Model Shop 1969
as Camera Shop Owner
The Virgin President 1968
as U.S. President / Fillmard Millmore, Writer, Producer
P.J. 1968
as Shelton Quell
The President's Analyst 1967
as Kropotkin
Luv 1967
as Vandergist
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round 1966
as Miles Fisher
Point of View 1966
Actor
The Double-Barrelled Detective Story 1965
as H.S. Stevens
Goldstein 1965
as Doctor
Credits from TMDB.