In Memory of Dana Elcar

Born Ibsen Dana Elcar on October 10, 1927 in Ferndale, Michigan, USA and died on June 6, 2005 of complications from pneumonia at the Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California.

The son of Danish immigrants, Dana grew up on the family farm aspiring to become an actor by mimicking radio shows like Fibber McGee and Molly with his siblings in the barn.

While supporting himself as an ambulance and cab driver, Dana studied drama at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York with some of his early stage stints included Moon in Capricorn, The Knight of Burning Pestle, Project Immortality and Saint Joan.

Dana's many theatrical credits include Galileo, Twelfth Night, Inherit the Wind, The Cherry Orchard, That Championship Season, Who Wants to Be the Lone Ranger?, Crystal Fox, Eh?, The Skin of Our Teeth, Murder Among Us, The Dumbwaiter, Plays from Bleecker Street: Childhood, Androcles and the Lion, Under Milkwood Glass, Drums Under the Windows, Semi-Detached, The Three Sisters, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Our Town, The Power and the Glory, Augustus Does His Bit, As You Like It, Richard III, Good as Gold, Venice Preserv'd and The Honeys.

In 1954 his debut on daytime television came as Dr. Clay in A Time to Live. Besides playing original Sheriff George Patterson on Dark Shadows, his other roles in daytime included the role of Clinton Wheeler on The Edge of Night and D.A. Andrew Murray on The Guiding Light

Dana's television films include Murder in Three Parts, Toughlove, I Want to Live, Quarterback Princess, Teachers Only, Help Wanted: Male, Forbidden Love, The Day the Bubble Burst, Death Penalty, Wendy Hooper-U.S. Army, Crisis in Mid-Air, Samurai, Waiting for Godot, Law of the Land, Senior Year, Heat Wave!, Panic on the 5:22, Hawkins on Murder, Dying Room Only, Fireball Forward, Sarge, The Death of Me Yet, San Francisco International Airport, The D.A.: Murder One, The Whole World Is Watching, Deadlock, The Sound of Anger, The Borgia Stick, Hallmark Hall of Fame: Patriots, Of Mice and Men, Our Town, and also the two miniseries Centennial and The Missiles of October.

Ibsen Dana Elcar

1927 - 2005

The below comments are from the fans of Dana's work,
to his family.

I am so terribly sorry to hear of the passing of Dana Elcar. Mr. Elcar was one of my favorite actors and portrayed one of my favorite characters on TV - Pete Thornton on the MacGyver show. It was clear that RDAnderson and he shared a definite friendship from their chemistry on the screen. He was warm-hearted, but with a will of iron. Such determination it must have taken for him to decide to keep on acting, even though his sight was failing him. His work and his life stand as a role model not only for other actors, but for people with life-limiting disabilities as well. He will be sorely missed. Please accept my condolences. - Judith Pipher ---------------------------------------------- You were one of the best, and MacGyver would not have been the same without you. Even with the loss of your sight, you never lost sight of your objective - putting out a great quality show like MacGyver. Your family has lost you, but you will always be in their hearts andours, your loyal fans. Audre Castillo ---------------------------------------------- We are thankful for Dana Elcar's performances on MacGyver. He will be remembered. JJ Dippel ---------------------------------------------- I have been a fan of Mr. Elcar for many years and want to add my notes of condolence to his family and friends. He will be remembered with much fondness for his portrayal of Pete Thornton and other characters throughout the years. I hope your memories of Mr. Elcar will bring a smile to your face. Linda Watson Louisville, KY ---------------------------------------------- I'm so sorry for the loss of Dana Elcar. I've watched "MacGyver" from the very beginning. I was sadened when I heard he had glaucoma, and admired him that he didn't quit. He has touched many hearts and I know that he will never be forgotten. I hope that you'll find comfort knowing that many people share your sadness, and in the special memories that you have created with Dana Elcar. Elaine Ecuyer ---------------------------------------------- My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dana Elcar. His skill as an actor made his characters real and believable and he brought much joy to my family in his portrayal of Peter Thornton on "McGyver." God bless Carol Freeman ---------------------------------------------- To the Family of Dana Elcar: I enjoyed his acting talents over the many years. He was a great actor and, from what showed through in his many roles, an even greater person. My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Kathy Van Elsen ---------------------------------------------- Dear members of Dana Elcar's family, From the south of South America (Brazil), but also from the bottom of my soul, my most heartfelt condolences for your loss. Dana Elcar will always be remembered here for the warmth, friendship, courage and humanity he brought into MacGyver series through his character, Pete, characteristics which I believe were the reflex of his own personality. He was a great human being and an example for all of us who grew up having him as a companion, a friend on the screen for all those years. Yours sincerely, Renata Kabke Pinheiro (Pelotas - Brazil) ---------------------------------------------- Dear Elcar Family, I am sorry to hear of Dana's passing. He was a very talented actor and a courageous human being. I have admired his work on TV and screen for years. My favorite was his role of Peter Thornton on MacGyver. I truly admired how Dana went public with his blindness and kept on acting despite his blindness. I know nothing can take away the pain and loneliness you are feeling, but know that I and Dana's fans from around the world are thinking of you in this time of need. Shannon Hummel Seattle, WA ---------------------------------------------- I am a student from Taiwan. I get the news from bbs of Taiwan. When I was a child, the most glad thing I and my family is to watch "McGyver" on TV. Although I am 26 years, my brother and me still like to talk about "McGyver". "McGyver" is our family favorate show. We all feel sad for Dana's passing. Wish Dana is at peace with Lord. WENG SHENG PO FROM Taiwan ---------------------------------------------- Mr. Elcar played Pete Thornton in such a way, he became a character close to my heart. Every saturday I would cycle home top speed, not to miss a single minute of MacGyver. Pete was someone you loved to love. I'm so sorry to hear we lost the man who portraited him so well. My condolences to his family and friends. BabsN, the Netherlands ---------------------------------------------- Just heard the news about Dana's passing and want to say he will be greatly missed. He was such a delight to watch on the show and a wonderful down to earth actor. He just made you feel like you were his friend from the moment you meet him(the charcter Pete of course in the "MacGyver" series) My heart goes out to the family at this time of grief and know your in our hearts and prayers. A loyal fan of the show. ---------------------------------------------- To the Family and Friends, Though i did not know Dana personaly he was truly a great inspiration, he is and always will be missed. Im sure hes looking down right now and admiring all he hasnt seen for some time and enjoying the freedom of being truly home. May you rest in peace in the glory land, till someday all will meet again. Sincerely yours, Robbyn spfd, Mo. ---------------------------------------------- I was so sorry to hear of the passing of this very nice man. I always liked to watch Dana Elcar when he was on TV, I think one of the first things I remember him in is an episode of ‘Bonanza’-and he was so good in ‘MacGyver’. I know he will be missed by so many people. His family and friends are in my thoughts and my prayers. God bless. Sue. ---------------------------------------------- My sympathy goes out to all this wonderful man's family and to RDA, who, I am sure, will be very sad at this loss. The world is a lesser place because he has gone and he will be sorely missed. So, bye Pete Thornton we will never forget you and the joy you brought to your fans. Macfanatic ---------------------------------------------- To the Elcar Family. I only knew Mr.. Elcar from his work on MacGyver and a handful of bit parts. What I remember most was the wonderful friendship between Pete and Mac and the quiet courage Mr.. Elcar displayed at all times. He moved forward and his determination was an inspiration to all with disabilities. I am visually impaired and I empathized greatly with Mr.. Elcar's situation, I can understand how hard it would be to hit marks or make eye contact as his sight slowly deteriorated. My heart and good wishes go out to you all at this sad time. Dana Elcar was loved by millions for his simple grace and great talent. I hope that fact brings you all some peace. Sincerely, Michelle W. ---------------------------------------------- truly sorry to hear about the loss he was a big part of my life he will be missed ---------------------------------------------- To the family of Dana Elcar, it is with great sadness that I learned of Dana's passing. I have been a huge fan of his work, especially on MacGyver.He gave me strength watching him and knowing of his blindness yet his determination to keep going was amazing.I know he worked in the theatre after he left MacGyver and I am sure he will be missed by countless many- he was a true inspiration for everyone. My own mom is blind and has glaucoma also-so his courage touched me very deeply. May God grant you peace and the gentle knowledge that Dana will never be forgotten. With hugsss and prayers to the whole family, Jana from Sonora, California. ---------------------------------------------- I just wanted to convey my most sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Elcar. I truly enjoyed his portrayal of Pete Thornton on MacGyver and watching that character grow. His bravery in sharing his real life struggle with Glaucoma on the show can not be commended enough. I always wanted to share with Mr. Elcar how his honesty helped to save my own sight...I never had the chance, but I would like to share it with you. In 1999, I began to lose the sight in my left eye. At first, I thought little of it and it didn't happen very often, but soon the episodes of blackness began to happen more and more frequently. I was afraid to go to the doctor. afraid of what I was going to be told. I don't know what made me think of Mr. Elcar's struggle with blindness, but I can tell you it was the catalyst that got me to the eye doctor. My vision problems ended up being caused by a build up of spinal fluid in my head, cutting off the optic nerve and blood supply to my left eye. The problem has since been corrected, but if I hadn't acted when I did, I could've lost the vision in my eye permanently. I credit the bravery of Mr. Elcar for helping to save my sight! Mr. Elcar was a brave and talented man and he will be greatly missed. Sincerely, Pam Richardson ---------------------------------------------- My condolences and prayers go out to Dana Elcar's family, I know it isn't easy to lose a loved one. I hope a bit of comfort is derived from the knowledge that he touched so many people in his life. I will always remember him most especially for his role as Pete Thornton on the TV series MacGyver. I was inspired by his courage and dignity when facing blindness. Thank you, Dana, for many wonderful years of memories. Rest in Peace. Ginny Pickard aka MaxMacGyver ---------------------------------------------- Dana Elcar's death is a big loss for the great MacGyver fan community. Everybody loved him as Pete and will forever. Dana, you were an amazing actor and we can nothing but rest in admiration for your great work which you didn't quit, even when you got blind. Thank you for the warm and kind portrayal of Pete Thornton without which the character and the show wouldn't have been the same. There is nothing better to say than one of the very last lines you told MacGyver in the very final episode "The Stringer", when he said "Things change."... "Not always, good things don't." For all the German MacGyver fans: Jano Rohleder ---------------------------------------------- Dearest Mr. Elcar's Family, For you who loved Dana the most and his friends...I'm am truly sorry for your loss. Dana was a favorite actor of mine. I had prayed for him often since I found out that he was losing his sight. He had immense courage and the love of his friends on MacGyver to contiune his role of Peter Thronton. I've been watching reruns of MacGyver for many years and still am! I've even tried to find new updated info of Dana on the internet- no such luck. I'll remember Dana always and will feel sad for his fans- me and his loved ones whenever I watch MacGyver. He will be missed!! I'm watching MacGyver with 'Pete Thorton' at this very moment! Bless you all. Love from a devoted fan for many many years, Sylvia ---------------------------------------------- I am sorry to hear that Mr. Dana Elcar has passed away. He was a great actor and he will be terribly missed! My prayers go out to all relatives and friends! Sincerely, Gaby Gerritsen Maastricht, The Netherlands ---------------------------------------------- I was so sorry to hear about Dana's passing. I have been a fan for many years, but he will always be remembered as Pete Thornton. He was an amazing actor and will be sorely missed by all. I am grateful that his legacy is forever preserved on film, and I will think of him every time I watch MacGyver on DVD. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. Dana will never be forgotten. Sincerely, Beth Vernon Hills, Illinois USA ---------------------------------------------- I have been an ardent fan of the show MacGyver since it's debut in 1985. MacGyver, the character, gets an awful lot of glory from the show, as he should, but I think much of that character was squeezed into shape and sharpened by playing off Dana's character, Pete Thornton. Their dynamic was one of the best I've seen on the screen and watching Pete's and Mac's friendship grow, deepen and claw it's way through adversity was one of my favorite parts of the show. Mac wasn't Mac without Pete. I admire Dana for his perseverance on the show in spite of his worsening glaucoma and then blindness. Pete Thornton is a character that I will never forget. It's impossible to watch a show for 7 years and more and not feel like you know the guy playing the character. I feel that way about Dana and he will be sorely missed on this earth. Amy in PA ---------------------------------------------- Fare well wherever you fare, Dana, and Blessed Be. You will be greatly missed for your talent and your warmth and your strength in adversity. My greatest sympathies go to the Elcar family. You were blessed with a special man. Enjoy his life in your memories of him. andria ---------------------------------------------- Please accept my condolences on your recent loss. I enjoyed watching Dana act on Macgyver. chocolate ---------------------------------------------- MacGyver without Pete is like salt without pepper...cream without sugar. MacGyver fans love Dana Elcar as much as they love Richard Dean Anderson and we are all sad to lose him. We loved his many appearances in television and films over the years too. He was a wonderful actor whose talent, strength and perseverance in the face of disability inspired us all. Please accept our sympathies and know that we feel the loss almost as much as you, his family. Vina ---------------------------------------------- I can't express enough my sorrow at the passing of this great man. Not only enormously talented, but enormously courageous as well. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Missy ---------------------------------------------- A wonderful talent and an inspiration to everyone, who proved that a medical disability does not preclude you from your life’s aspirations - you will be missed. My condolences to the family for your loss. Phoenix ---------------------------------------------- My condolences to your family. We will miss Dana but you will miss him more. He was a great actor and a mentor to so many people around the world. Hollywood has lost a actor but Heaven has gain an angel. But I know "were sorry" will never heal the pain in your hearts and mind. But may God grant you solace in knowing he is not in pain and not suffering no more. Thank you for letting us share him for a little bit. Molly Meridieth Mascot, Tennessee USA ---------------------------------------------- Dear Elcar Family, as a big fan of MacGyver, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family, Dana will be sadly missed. Sincerely, Nikki ---------------------------------------------- To Dana Elcar's loving family: I only saw the MacGyver shows as re-runs, but since that time I never miss them, whenever and wherever they are on. I wanted to say that, as special as Richard Dean Anderson made the series with his presence, Dana's presence was just as special, and as important to the wonderful, compassionate, and humorous, tone of the show. Dana's acting talent really shined when he was on "stage" with RDA! I thought it was very compassionate to include Dana's fight with glaucoma into the series, and to help raise awareness about it. All of Dana's messages and speeches were not ignored, I am sure, and his being open and honest about his affliction probably helped to save many people's eyesight in the future. I am really at a loss for more words to convey how saddened I am, and all of us MacGyver fans are, to hear of Dana's passing. He was a very integral and loved character on that show. I am just very grateful to be able to say, that "we loved him on MacGyver", and "Peter Thornton" will be forever missed! May Spirit bless you, Dana, and reward you for all of your compassionate acts in this lifetime, and for bringing all of us so many enjoyable hours of entertainment and messages of love! In light and love....Jan Gazda. With love and laughter, Jan. ---------------------------------------------- To Dana’s family My sincerest condolences on your loss. Dana was a fine man and a wonderful actor. Through the years of his career he moved me in ways that I cannot describe. His talent will never be duplicated and the world has truly lost one of its most talented members. I will miss you Dana. Jax Clouse ---------------------------------------------- My deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss. While I have seen Mr. Elcar in many films/shows my favorites will always be his portrayal of Pete Thornton in MacGyver and Colonel Laird in Baa Baa Black Sheep. God Bless, Mary Wendland Michigan ---------------------------------------------- To the Family of Dana Elcar, I wish to express to you my sincere sympathy on your loss. He will be greatly missed. Dana was a great actor. May God comfort you at this sad time. Jan Huvaere (Fan) ---------------------------------------------- I became acquainted with Dana Elcar watching "MacGyver." I enjoyed his work on the series very much and am so happy to know that he and Richard Dean Anderson had a good relationship off-screen as well as on the show. It sounds to me that Mr. Elcar was a generous veteran actor who wanted to help a rising star shine. I'm glad that he stayed with the series until the end, inspite of his glaucoma. To me that showed a lot of courage and determination. Please know that this fan of "MacGyver" will always remember Mr. Elcar fondly. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him. Sincerely, Mary Ann M. ---------------------------------------------- Dearest family and friends of Dana Elcar I guess nothing I can say now can probably even ease your grief. At least I remember it felt that way when I was a kid and lost my mother and father. But I always liked when people could tell me stories about them. Especially new ones I didn't know. In that spirit, I hope the following can be such a little anecdote for you. By being such a wonderful actor Dana touched my life in a very special way and I learned a lot from ‘Pete‘ about responsibility, helping people, trust, friendship and being not afraid to ask for help. Soon after my parents died I saw my first MacGyver-episode and I adopted Mac as a kinda Surrogate-Dad. So Pete as his best friend influenced me a lot too. He became if you forgive me saying so, the grandfather I never had. Whenever Mac needed help Pete was there to save him and the other way around. They also had a lot of fun together and there friendship was something unique. Finally I learned from Dana‘s execellent taking his real life into his acting-way especially in the episodes ‘Blind Faith and ‘Hind Sight‘ that you don‘t have to deal with a challenge on your own and that‘s ok to talk about things that scare you. Since my birth I have a Cerbral Palsy, so this was somthing of great value to learn for me. Be assured that in the way Dana touched my and the life of so many others he‘ll be always remembered. He and you're in my prayers. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Dana, thanks so much for all you taught me without even knowing and I wish you a lot of fun, joy and peace in eternity. Alexandra Gmeiner, Austria

His break on the big screen came in the 1964 classic Fail-Safe with Henry Fonda. A brusque character actor Dana Elcar was usually assigned roles calling for blunt imperiousness..
Dana's other film credits include Blue Skies Again, Buddy Buddy, There Were Times Dear, Inside Out, 2010, All of Me, Condorman, The Nude Bomb, A Star is Born, Foul Play, The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid, The Champ, The Bravos, W.C. Fields and Me, Jaws II, The Sting, A Gunfight, Zigzag, Adam at 6 A.M., Baby Blue Marine,Solider Blue, The Fool Killer, The Learning Tree, The Maltese Bippy, Pendulum, Mrs. Pollifax-Spy, Report to Commissioner, Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff and The Boston Strangler.

Dana guest starred in a huge number of popular primetime television series such as Hill Street Blues, ER, The Fall Guy, Flamingo Road, Riptide, Trapper John M.D., The Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Cannon, The Rockford Files, Falcon Crest, Family, The Incredible Hulk, The Partridge Family, Hawaii 5-0, Bonanza, Get Smart, Matlock, Mission: Impossible, Naked City, Marcus Welby M.D., Mannix, Kung Fu, Law and Order, The Waltons and The A-Team. In addition, he also directed episodes of MacGyver, The Rockford Files, Salvage 1 and Black Sheep Squadron.

In 1985, Dana Elcar was cast as Peter Thornton, boss of troubleshooting Richard Dean Anderson, on the TV series MacGyver; Elcar continued playing the role into the 1990s, at which time the actor's real-life blindness (from Glaucoma circa) required him to incorporate dark glasses and a cane into his characterization.

Through his life Dana married and divorced Marianne Torrance, Peggy Romano Prager, Katherine Frances Mead and Judith Curtis respectively.

He is survived by his son, Dane Elcar; three daughters, Nora Elcar Verdon, Chandra Elcar and Marin Elcar; a stepdaughter, Emily Prager; a sister, Marie E. Hewitt; a half-sister, Janet K. Melville; longtime companion Thelma M. Garcia and a granddaughter.

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