Dana Elcar

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Dana Elcar (October 10, 1927–June 6, 2005) was an American television and movie character actor. Although he appeared in about 40 films, his most memorable role was on the 1980s television series MacGyver as Peter Thornton, an administrator working for the Phoenix Foundation.

Born Ibson Dana Elcar in Ferndale, Michigan, Elcar was an alumnus of the University of Michigan where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Elcar was also a student of legendary acting coach Sanford Meisner. He brought this education to bear when in 1986, with fellow character actor William Lucking, he formed the Santa Paula Theater Center. Elcar sat as artistic director for six years.

Elcar had supporting roles in The Sting, , All of Me, and The Learning Tree. He also had a recurring role in the popular 1970s television series Baa Baa Black Sheep. Another of his recurring roles was as Sheriff Patterson #1 on Dark Shadows.

In 1991, Elcar began to develop glaucoma, a degenerative condition of the eyes that causes blindness. This condition was written into the show, MacGyver, with Elcar's character developing the disease. He also guest starred on an episode of the crime/courtroom drama Law & Order as a man who becomes blind.

Once blind, Elcar took on the challenge of playing Vladimir in Waiting for Godot complete with white cane. This was his theatrical swan song, and he retired in 1992. Elcar's death resulted from complications with pneumonia at the Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California. He is survived by his son, Dane Elcar, his three daughters, a stepdaughter, his sister, his half-sister, and his long-time partner, Thelma M. Garcia.

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