John Forsythe (born Jacob Lincoln Freund; January 29, 1918 – April 1, 2010) was an American stage, television and film actor. Forsythe starred in three television series, spanning four decades and three genres: as single playboy father Bentley Gregg in the 1950s sitcom Bachelor Father (1957–1962); as the unseen millionaire Charles 'Charlie' Townsend on the 1970s crime drama Charlie's Angels (1976–1981), and as patriarch Blake Carrington on the 1980s soap opera Dynasty (1981–1989). He hosted World of Survival (1971–1977).
Known For
Charlie's Angels
(2000)
Charlie (voice)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
(2003)
Charles 'Charlie' Townsend (voice)
Scrooged
(1988)
Lew Hayward
Destination Tokyo
(1943)
Sparks
In Cold Blood
(1967)
Alvin Dewey
Topaz
(1969)
Michael Nordstrom
...And Justice for All
(1979)
Judge Henry T. Fleming
Escape from Fort Bravo
(1953)
Captain Marsh
The Trouble with Harry
(1955)
Sam Marlowe
Northern Pursuit
(1943)
Corporal (uncredited)
Full Filmography
Acting
Northern Pursuit
(1943)
Corporal (uncredited)
Destination Tokyo
(1943)
Sparks
The Things People Want
(1948)
Don
Arson, Inc.
(1949)
Race Track Aannouncer (voice, uncredited)
American Harvest
(1951)
Narrator (voice)
The Captive City
(1952)
James "Jim" C. Austin
It Happens Every Thursday
(1953)
Bob MacAvoy
Escape from Fort Bravo
(1953)
Captain Marsh
The Glass Web
(1953)
Don Newell
The Trouble with Harry
(1955)
Sam Marlowe
Everything But the Truth
(1956)
Ernie Miller
The Ambassador's Daughter
(1956)
Sgt. Danny Sullivan
Dubrowsky
(1959)
Wladia
What Makes Sammy Run?
(1959)
Al Manheim
Kitten with a Whip
(1964)
David Stratton
See How They Run
(1964)
Martin Young
Madame X
(1966)
Clay Anderson
In Cold Blood
(1967)
Alvin Dewey
A Bell for Adano
(1967)
Maj. Victor P. Joppolo
Shadow on the Land
(1968)
Gen. Wendell Bruce
Topaz
(1969)
Michael Nordstrom
The Happy Ending
(1969)
Fred Wilson
Murder Once Removed
(1971)
Dr. Ron Wellesley
The Letters
(1973)
Paul Anderson
Lisa, Bright and Dark
(1973)
William Schilling
The Healers
(1974)
Dr. Robert Kier
Cry Panic
(1974)
David Ryder
Terror on the 40th Floor
(1974)
Dan Overland
The Deadly Tower
(1975)
Lt. Elwood Forbes
Amelia Earhart
(1976)
G.P. Putnam
Tail Gunner Joe
(1977)
Paul Cunningham
Goodbye & Amen
(1977)
The American Ambassador
Never Con a Killer
(1977)
E.J. Valerian
The Users
(1978)
Reade Jamieson
Cruise Into Terror
(1978)
Rev. Charles Mather
With This Ring
(1978)
Gen. Albert Harris
...And Justice for All
(1979)
Judge Henry T. Fleming
The Muppets Go Hollywood
(1979)
Self
A Time for Miracles
(1980)
Postulator
Sizzle
(1981)
Mike Callahan
Mysterious Two
(1982)
He
Night of 100 Stars
(1982)
Self
Night of 100 Stars II
(1985)
Self
Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration
(1985)
Self
Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special
(1986)
Self
On Fire
(1987)
Joe Leary, Sr.
Scrooged
(1988)
Lew Hayward
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
(1988)
Self
Opposites Attract
(1990)
Rex Roper
Universal Studios Hollywood: A Universe of Cinemagic
(1992)
Himself
Universal Studios Florida: Experience the Magic of Movies
(1994)
Self - Host
Shirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels
(1996)
Self
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
(1999)
Mr. Ryan (voice)
Charlie's Angels
(2000)
Charlie (voice)
'The Trouble with Harry' Isn't Over
(2001)
Self
Topas
(2001)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
(2003)
Charles 'Charlie' Townsend (voice)
Beatles Stories
(2011)
Self (archive footage)
Production