• Doug Savant is an actor from Burbank, California USA.
• He is best known for his role in the soap opera Melrose Place.
• He has appeared in around 70 movies and TV series.
• He has four children, two with his first wife Dawn Dunin Savant and two with his current wife Laura Leighton.
• His net worth is estimated to be over $3 million.



Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthJune 21, 1964
SpouseLaura Leighton, Dawn Savant
FactStarred opposite Rob Lowe and Meg Tilly in the thriller Masquerade (1988) in which he played a deceptive, clean-cut psycho and continued on in off-kiltered villain roles in teen slasher movies until Melrose Place (1992).


Who is Doug Savant?

Douglas Peter Savant was born in Burbank, California USA, on 21 June 1964 – his zodiac sign is Cancer and he holds American nationality. Doug is an actor, who is perhaps still best known for his portrayal of Matt Fielding in the soap opera “Melrose Place”, which aired from 1992 to 1999 and starred Heather Locklera, Andrew Shue and Courtney Thorne-Smith. The series was created by Darren Star, and follows five friends living in Melrose Place – it won six awards and was nominated for eight others, including five Golden Globes.

Early life and education

Doug was raised an only child in Burbank, by his father who was a mailman and his mother who was a housewife, and who later began teaching English at a local elementary school.

Doug became interested in acting while attending high school ,as his teacher asked him if he would like to appear in a school play – Doug went on to join his school’s drama club, and then appeared in nearly all plays performed there. After matriculation in 1982, he enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986, and then chose to entirely focus on his career as an actor.

Roles in movies

Doug has been credited with appearing in around 70 movies and TV series, and we are about to mention some of his most notable performances in this article.

He made his debut film appearance in 1984, when cast to play The Actor in the romantic drama war movie “Swing Shift”, starring Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Christine Lahti, and which follows a woman who falls in love with another man after her husband is sent to war – the film was a success winning one award, while it was nominated for three others, including an Oscar.

The following year saw him appear in David Greenwalt’s romantic teen comedy “Secret Admirer”, and he also appeared in the romantic fantasy comedy movie “Teen Wolf”. A few of his following roles were in the supernatural horror “Trick or Treat” in 1986, the Vietnam War movie “The Hanoi Hilton” in 1987, and the romantic mystery thriller “Masquerade” in 1988.

He was praised for his portrayal of the lead character Eric Hinsley in the thriller “Paint It Black” which also stared Rick Rossovich, and is about a serial killer who covers his victims in clay after he murders them, and a woman who is accused of his crimes because she’s a sculptor.

In 1993, Doug played Dr. Peter Myerson in the action slasher movie “Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence”, and his next notable performance was in 1998, when he played one of the lead characters in the Roland Emmerich’s monster movie “Godzilla”.

Doug Savant

Three of Doug’s most recent notable performances in films have been in the action thriller “First Daughter” in 1999, the science fiction action “The One” in 2001 and the 2006sports drama “All You’ve Got”.

Roles in TV series

Doug made his debut TV series appearance in 1985, when he guest starred as Dwayne Patterson in the episode “Violation” of the police procedural drama “Cagney & Lacey”. His first notable performance was in 1987 in seven episodes of the prime time soap opera “Knots Landing”, starring as Young Mack Mackenzie.

Doug went on to appear in single episodes of many series, such as the sitcom “The Facts of Life” in 1987, the police procedural crime drama “In the Heat of the Night” in 1988 and the episode “The Thanks of a Grateful Nation” of the drama “China Beach” in 1990.

The year 1995 saw him portray Chase Cobb in the crime drama “Burke’s Law”, which starred Gene Barry, Gary Conway and Regis Toomey, and which follows the life of the Los Angeles Police Captain who is a millionaire. In 1998, Doug appeared in a single episode of the comedy “Love Boat: The Next Wave”, and was then cast to portray Kel in the critically acclaimed Canadian-American science fiction series “The Outer Limits”. He made a cameo appearance in the episode “Area 51” of the American-Japanese series “Godzilla: The Series”, and was then invited to appear in a single episode of many series, such as the comedy drama “That’s Life” in 2001, the legal drama “JAG” in 2002, and the drama “The Guardian” in 2004.

Doug became famous in both the US and Europe in 2004, when he played one of the lead characters, Tom Scavo in the mystery comedy drama “Desperate Housewives”, which starred Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and Marcia Cross, and which follows several female friends after their neighbor commits suicide – the series aired until 2012, and won 65 awards including three Golden Globes, while it was nominated for 185 others. Doug continued to appear in a single episode of series, while a few his most notable performances were in the legal comedy drama “Drop Dead Diva” in 2013, the action police procedural series “Hawaii Five-0” in 2014 and the action drama “Scorpion” in 2015.

Three of his most recent roles in TV series have been in two episodes of the action crime drama and police procedural series “NCIS: New Orleans” in 2018, the episode “Hail & Farewell” of the police crime series “NCIS” in 2019, and two episodes of the drama “Dirty John” in 2020.

Awards

Doug and his colleague actors and actresses won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for their performance in “Desperate Housewives” in 2006, while they were nominated for the same award each year for the following three years.

Doug was also o-cnominated for a Gold Derby TV Award for Ensemble of the Year for “Desperate Housewives” in 2006.

Wife Laura Leighton and children

Doug met his future first wife Dawn Dunin Savant while still attending high school, and they married in a private ceremony attended by their closest friends and family in 1983, while Doug was still attending college. On 17 January 1992, Dawn gave birth to their daughter Arianna, while their second daughter Madeline followed on 20 July 1993.

The two divorced for unknown reasons in 1997, but it’s widely believed that Doug was cheating on Dawn with Laura Leighton, an American actress who starred alongside him in “Melrose Place”. Doug and Laura started dating publicly not long after his divorce was finalized, and in May 1998 the two exchanged vows in a private ceremony. Laura gave birth to their son Jack on 10 October 2000, and on 9 June 2005 their daughter Lucy was born – Laura has also been helping Doug raise Arianna and Madeline since they married.

Doug hasn’t talked about any other women he might have been with, and as of September 2020, he is married to his second wife and has four kids.

Hobbies and other interests

Doug is keen on working out, and has multiple training sessions at the gym each week thus his muscular body – he is also following a strict diet, meaning that he rarely eats anything that has sugar in it, and avoids fast food.

He is keen on travelling, and his acting career has made it possible for him to travel all around the world for both work and pleasure – his two favorite cities out of those he has visited are Berlin in Germany and Moscow in Russia.

Doug is a lover of animals and has two pet dogs, while his favorite animals are tigers.

He has his own favorite actors and actresses, some of whom are Matt Damon, Will Smith and Angelina Jolie, and a few of the movies he likes to watch the most are “Catch Me if You Can”, “I Am Legend” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”.

Net worth

Doug is 56 years old. He has short brown hair and brown eyes, his height is 5ft 11ins (1.8m) and he weighs around 160lbs (72kgs).

As of September 2020, his net worth has been estimated at over $3 million.

General Info

Full NameDoug Savant
Date Of BirthJune 21, 1964
Height1.78 m
ProfessionActor
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseLaura Leighton, Dawn Savant
ChildrenLucy Jane Leighton Savant, Jack Douglas Savant, Arianna Josephine Savant, Madeline Marie Savant

Accomplishments

AwardsScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
MoviesGodzilla, First Target, Red Surf, Masquerade, Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence, First Daughter, Trick or Treat, The Hanoi Hilton, Teen Wolf, First Shot, Aftermath: A Test of Love, April Rain, Terminal, Dropping Out
TV ShowsDesperate Housewives, Melrose Place

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1During my first year on Melrose Place (1992), there was a great deal of pressure from the network [Fox TV] for me to out myself as a straight man. The producers of Melrose Place (1992) kept telling me I had to say publicly that I was a breeder. They said too many people assumed I was gay. I know the truth of my life, so I didn't have to play the network game. For three years, I was the spokesperson for the AIDS rides rly cycle-thons] in California. I was flattered that people assumed I was gay. To me, that was an affirmation that I was doing my job.

Facts

#Fact
1Has co-starred with Marcia Cross in both Melrose Place (1992) and Desperate Housewives (2004).
2His two daughters with ex-wife Dawn Dunkin are named Arianna Josephine Savant (b. January 17, 1992) and Madeline Marie Savant (b. July 20, 1993).
36/9/05: Wife Laura Leighton gave birth to a baby girl, named Lucy Jane Leighton Savant. She weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz.
4Although he appeared in almost every episode of Desperate Housewives (2004) during Season 1, he was still credited as a guest star. However, he has now been put on contract and will be credited as a series regular for Season 2.
5Married to Laura Leighton, who played Sydney Andrews on Melrose Place (1992). The romance developed off-camera on the set of the popular TV soap opera.
6Starred opposite Rob Lowe and Meg Tilly in the thriller Masquerade (1988) in which he played a deceptive, clean-cut psycho and continued on in off-kiltered villain roles in teen slasher movies until Melrose Place (1992).
7Left Melrose Place (1992) after six seasons because the network refused to allow the writers to explore his character Matt's love life, and left him with little to do on the show. In 1994, the network and producers cut Matt's kiss on the season finale in 1994 at the last minute after considerable ratings hype.
8Before being cast in Melrose Place (1992), he was a delivery driver for Dino's Pizza in Burbank, owned by his cousin.
9Doug and his ex-wife Dawn had been together since he was 19, and share two daughters.
1010/10/00: Son Jack Douglas Savant (with Laura Leighton) born.
1111/97: Engaged to Laura Leighton.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Notorious2016TV SeriesPaul Weston
Pure Genius2016TV SeriesSimon Monroe
Halt and Catch Fire2016TV SeriesMac Harpor
Rush Hour2016TV SeriesD.A. Eric Ginardi
Castle2016TV SeriesTrevor Nigel
The X-Files2016TV SeriesAugustus Goldman
Scorpion2015TV SeriesWilson Adler
Hawaii Five-02015TV SeriesRobert Young
April Rain2014Ken Singleton
Criminal Minds2013TV SeriesMalcolm Taffert
Drop Dead Diva2013TV SeriesJakob Yordy
Rizzoli & Isles2013TV SeriesRoger Thorson
Vegas2013TV SeriesMr. Binder
Desperate Housewives2004-2012TV SeriesTom Scavo
Hot in Cleveland2012TV SeriesScott
What Color Is Love?2009TV MoviePeter Marcheson
All You've Got2006Sam McDonald
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2004TV SeriesPaul Brady
Nip/Tuck2004TV SeriesJoel Gideon
NCIS2004TV SeriesFather Larry Clannon
242004TV SeriesCraig Phillips
NYPD Blue2004TV SeriesJason Foster
The Guardian2004TV SeriesEric Kane
Faultline2004TV MovieProf. Anthony McAllister
According to Jim2002TV SeriesRick
JAG2002TV SeriesNavy Seals Commander
Firefly2002TV SeriesCommander Harken
First Shot2002TV MovieGrant Coleman
The One2001Cop (uncredited)
Family Law2001TV SeriesHarold Raines
The District2001TV SeriesJeffrey Riverton
That's Life2001TV SeriesJ.T.'s Cousin
First Target2000TV MovieGrant Coleman
Harsh Realm2000TV SeriesSergeant Sommers
Godzilla: The Series2000TV SeriesTrespasser #2
Dropping Out2000Doctor
First Daughter1999TV MovieGrant Coleman
A Face to Kill for1999TV MovieVirgil
Profiler1999TV SeriesToby Watson
Godzilla1998/ISergeant O'Neal
Love Boat: The Next Wave1998TV SeriesJosh Walters
The Outer Limits1998TV SeriesKel
Melrose Place1992-1997TV SeriesMatt Fielding
Terminal1996TV MovieDr. Sean O'Grady
Fight for Justice: The Nancy Conn Story1995TV MovieRichard Mark Ellard
Burke's Law1995TV Series
Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence1993Dr. Peter Myerson
Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story1992Deputy Sheriff Ted Hinton
Columbo1992TV SeriesDetective Dennis Mulrooney
Aftermath: A Test of Love1991TV MovieJeff
Shaking the Tree1990Michael
Jake and the Fatman1990TV SeriesJohn Bronski
The Knife and Gun Club1990TV MovieDr. Barrow
China Beach1990TV SeriesRichard
Red Surf1989VideoAttila
Paint It Black1989Eric Hinsley
Masquerade1988Mike McGill
In the Heat of the Night1988TV SeriesScott LaPierre
Knots Landing1986-1987TV SeriesYoung Mack Mackenzie
Stingray1987TV SeriesCdt. Thomas O'Conner
The Hanoi Hilton1987Ashby
The Facts of Life1987TV SeriesDwayne
Trick or Treat1986Tim Hainey
Alfred Hitchcock Presents1986TV SeriesJoey Medwick
Hotel1986TV SeriesElliot Jessup
Teen Wolf1985Brad
Secret Admirer1985Boy
The Best Times1985TV SeriesGreg
Cagney & Lacey1985TV SeriesDwayne Patterson
Swing Shift1984uncredited

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Desperate Housewives Special: The More You Know, the Juicier It Gets2006TV Movie special thanks
Desperate Housewives Special: All the Juicy Details2006TV Movie special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Desperate Housewives: I Guess This Is Goodbye2012Video documentary shortHimself
The Wendy Williams Show2012TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Good Morning America2005-2012TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The View2005-2012TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Jeopardy!2006-2010TV SeriesHimself - Video Clue Presenter / Himself - Contestant / Himself
Rachael Ray2009TV SeriesHimself - Guest
I Know Things Now: Desperate Housewives Celebrates 1002009Video shortHimself
Entertainment Tonight2007TV SeriesHimself
Comic Relief 20062006TV Special documentaryHimself
Corazón de...2005TV SeriesHimself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!2005TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2005TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Celebrity Poker Showdown2005TV SeriesHimself
SoapTalk2005TV SeriesHimself
Live with Kelly and Michael2005TV SeriesHimself
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show2005TV SeriesHimself - Guest
11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards2005TV SpecialHimself
The Daily Show1998TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The 5th Annual GLAAD Media Awards1994TV SpecialHimself
The 19th Annual People's Choice Awards1993TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Dramatic Program

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt2012TV SeriesHimself
How TV Changed Britain2008TV Series documentaryTom Scavo
Desperate Housewives Special: Secrets and Lies2007TV MovieTom Scavo
Desperate Housewives Special: The Juiciest Bites2007TV MovieTom Scavo
Corazón de...2006TV SeriesTom Scavo / Himself
Desperate Housewives Special: The More You Know, the Juicier It Gets2006TV MovieTom Scavo (uncredited)
Desperate Housewives Special: All the Juicy Details2006TV MovieTom Scavo (uncredited)
Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again2005TV Movie documentaryYoung Mack MacKenzie (uncredited)
I Love the '90s2004TV Series documentaryMatt
Melrose Place1998TV SeriesMatt Fielding

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2006ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesDesperate Housewives (2004)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2009ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesDesperate Housewives (2004)
2008ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesDesperate Housewives (2004)
2007ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesDesperate Housewives (2004)
2006Gold Derby TV AwardGold Derby AwardsEnsemble of the YearDesperate Housewives (2004)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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