David Hedison, the actor horrifyingly transformed into an insect as the star of the 1958 horror classic “The Fly,” died Thursday in L.A., THR reports. He was 92.
Hedison was born May 20, 1927, in Providence, Rhode Island, and came to TV and the movies via the theater.
He made his TV debut on an episode of the series “Danger” in 1954, and his movie bow in the high-profile Robert Mitchum flick “The Enemy Below” (1957).
It was “The Fly” that catapulted him to the attention of casting directors, including, as it did, the instantly iconic scene of Hedison — reduced in size — meekly crying “help me! help me!” as a spider advances upon him.
He went on to star in “Son of Robin Hood” (1958), “The Lost World” (1960), and the short-lived series “Five Fingers (1959-1960) before landing one of his most famous roles, as Captain Lee Crane on the TV version of “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” (1964-1968).
On the silver screen, he was in two Bond films as Felix Leiter — “Live and Let Die” (1973) and License to Kill” (1989).
For decades, Hedison was a mainstay on series TV, guesting on “The Farmer’s Daughter” (1964); “Love, American Style” (1969); “Medical Center” (1974); “Wonder Woman” (1977); “Charlie’s Angels” (1978 & 1981); “Dynasty” (1983); “The Love Boat” (seven episodes, 1977-1985); “Fantasy Island” (six episodes, 1978-1984); and many more. He was a series regular on “The Young and the Restless” (2004).
He made his final appearance in a film in “Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk” (2017).
Hedison was married to Bridget Hedison, a producer on “Dynasty” and “The Colbys,” leading to his appearing on the former in 1983 and taking a recurring role on the latter from 1985-1987. His wife died at 71 in 2016.
He is survived by his two daughters, Serena and Alexandra (the wife of Jodie Foster), who said in a statement, “Even in our deep sadness, we are comforted by the memory of our wonderful father. He loved us all dearly and expressed that love every day. He was adored by so many, all of whom benefited from his warm and generous heart. Our dad brought joy and humor wherever he went and did so with great style.”