Severn Teakle Darden Jr. (November 9, 1929 – May 27, 1995) was an American comedian and actor. A native of New Orleans, Darden was a key figure in the popularization of improv comedy in the US. He was one of the central figures in the Compass Players, an early improv troupe based in Chicago and St. Louis, and went on to cofound its Spiritual Successor, The Second City. A recurring feature of his act was the character of university lecturer Walther von der Vogelweide. As an actor he was best known for The President's Analyst, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, and Real Genius.
Darden was married twice: to Cynthia Jane Williams and subsequently to Heather I. Blackley, the latter remaining married to him until his 1995 death.
Works with Severn Darden:
Film
- 1964 Goldstein: Doctor
- 1966 Dead Heat On A Merry Go Round: Miles Fisher
- 1967 Fearless Frank: The Good Doctor / Claude the Mad Scientist
- 1967 Luv: Vandergist
- 1967 The President's Analyst: Kropotkin
- 1968 PJ: Shelton Quell
- 1969 Model Shop: Portly Man
- 1969 The Mad Room: Nate
- 1969 Justine: Bathazar
- 1969 They Shoot Horses, Don't They?: Cecil
- 1970 Pussycat Pussycat I Love You: Dr. Fahrquardt
- 1971 Vanishing Point: J. Hovah
- 1971 The Hired Hand: McVey
- 1971 Werewolves on Wheels: One
- 1971 The Last Movie: Mayor
- 1971 Cisco Pike: Lawyer
- 1972 The War Between Men And Women: Doctor Harris
- 1972 Every Little Crook And Nanny: Dominic
- 1972 Conquest of the Planet of the Apes: Arthur Kolp
- Reprised role in Battle for the Planet of the Apes, 1973
- 1972 Play It As It Lays: Hypnotist
- 1972 Playmates: Roger, Man in Gallery (Made-for-TV Movie)
- 1972 Dirty Little Billy: Big Jim McDaniel
- 1973 The Day Of The Dolphin: Schwinn
- 1974 Skyway To Death: Steve Kramer (TV Movie)
- 1975 I Wonder Whos Killing Her Now: Mr. Fletch / Dr. deHart
- 1976 Jackson County Jail: Sheriff Dempsey
- 1976 The Disappearance Of Aimee: S.I. Gilbert (TV Movie)
- 1976 Victory At Entebbe: Moshe Meyer (TV Movie)
- 1976 Mother, Jugs & Speed: Moran
- 1979 Wanda Nevada: Merlin Bitterstix
- 1980 A Small Circle Of Friends: Art Professor
- 1980 Why Would I Lie: Dr. Barbour
- 1980 Hopscotch: Maddox
- 1981 Saturday the 14th: Van Helsing
- 1983 Quarterback Princess: Mr. Hobart (TV Movie)
- 1985 Real Genius: Dr. Meredith
- 1986 Back to School: Dr. Borozini
- 1988 The Telephone: Max
Television
- 1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Franklin (1 episode)
- 1962 Car 54, Where Are You?: Karpathia (1 episode)
- 1964 East Side West Side: Beatnik (1 episode)
- 1964 Brenner: Flute (1 episode)
- 1964 Mr Broadway: Mr. Hook (1 episode)
- 1966 The Double Life Of Henry Phyfe: Bosha (1 episode)
- 1966 Honey West: Dr. Gregory Ames (1 episode)
- 1966 Occasional Wife: Martin Martin (1 episode)
- 1966-68 The Monkees: J.B. Guggins Jr./Psychiatrist (2 episodes)
- 1967 I Dream of Jeannie: Milton (1 episode)
- 1968 Daniel Boone: Sir Hubert Spencer (1 episode)
- 1969 It Takes a Thief (1968): Ambassador Nikolai Palenkin (1 episode)
- 1970 Medical Center: Dr. Herb Seaton (1 episode)
- 1971 The Name Of The Game: Cameron (1 episode)
- 1971 The Bold Ones The Lawyers: Dr. Grundig (1 episode)
- 1971 Alias Smith and Jones: Oscar Harlenjen / Alan Harlenjen (1 episode)
- 1971 The Man And The City: Geller (1 episode)
- 1971 Getting Together: Remo (1 episode)
- 1971 Bonanza: Price (1 episode)
- 1972 Night Gallery: Dr. Kessler (1 episode)
- 1972 Cannon: Sascha Dorn (1 episode)
- 1972 Banyon: Vickers
- 1974 Kolchak: The Night Stalker: Dr. Aaron Pollack (1 episode)
- 1975 Lincoln: Gideon Welles (1 episode)
- 1975 Harry O: Ingo Wells (1 episode)
- 1975 Barbary Coast: Mr. Bekhim (1 episode)
- 1975 Wonder Woman (1975): Bad Guy (1 episode)
- 1975 The Ghost Busters: Dr. Jekyll (1 episode)
- 1976 The Practice 1976: Dr. Chisom (1 episode)
- 1976 Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman: Mort Lunders (1 episode)
- 1976 Jigsaw John: Bruce Godfrey (1 episode)
- 1976 Barney Miller: Randolph Cook (1 episode)
- 1976 The Six Million Dollar Man: Apploy (3 episodes)
- Reprised role on The Bionic Woman, same year
- 1976 The Quest: Circuit Preacher (1 episode)
- 1977 Visions: Marvin Simeon (1 episode)
- 1977 Laverne & Shirley: Charles Pfister Krane (1 episode)
- 1977 The Feather And Father Gang: Cap (1 episode)
- 1978 Starsky & Hutch: Mr. Wheeler (1 episode)
- 1978 Flying High: Mr. Dorfman (1 episode)
- 1979 Salvage 1: Casper Beckman (1 episode)
- 1980 Beyond Westworld: Foley
- 1981 The Fall Guy: Mr. Morton (1 episode)
- 1983 Cheers: Professor DeWitt (1 episode)
- 1984 The New Mike Hammer: Merinow (2 episodes)
- 1984 The Paper Chase: Professor Edwin (1 episode)
- 1985 It's a Living: Ambassador (1 episode)
- 1986 Faerie Tale Theatre: Farmer Silas (1 episode, “The Princess Who Never Laughed”)
- 1987 Take Five: Dr. Noah Wolf
- 1988 Probe: John Bolt (1 episode)
- 1988-89 Beauty and the Beast (1987): Waterman/Mr. Smythe (2 episodes)
