David Janssen - My Fugitive by Ellie Janssen, J. Michael Phelps (Editor)

From the Publisher

This is the only authorized Biography of the late DAVID JANSSEN, the film and television star, most noted for his role in ABC Televison Series; "THE FUGITIVE" (1963-1967). Originally published in December, 1994 by Lifetime Books, Inc., Hollywood, Florida. This book was Co-Authored by ELLIE JANSSEN, David's wife (1968-1972), and MICHAEL PHELPS.

An intimate revelation of their marriage, and the agony of their divorce. Ellie Janssen held nothing back. Her love for David endured through it all.
Ellie's love and devotion to David never died. Following their divorce (at the time, it was the "longest running divorce case in Los Angeles Court history)., Ellie never engaged in an affair with another man, she never remarried. Her love for David was painfully clear as she worked with Michael Phelps in writing this book.

What Ellie failed to divulge in this writing, perhaps out of modesty or respect for David, is the fact that she was "THE WOMAN" behind the "successful" man. She orchastrated his career from his first staring role as "RICHARD DIAMOND - PRIVATE", a role for which he was personally chosen by DICK POWELL. Ellie was the "perfect" Hollywood Housewife. She planned and executed the most flawless and memorable parties in their Holmby Hills home for Hollywood's "A" List.

As part of their divorce agreement, Ellie received a ten percent ownership of "THE FUGITIVE" series (half of David's twenty percent ownership). Ironically, it was Ellie who demanded David receive an ownership in "THE FUGITIVE" series at the outset, before the series became a huge hit. This provided Ellie with a comfortable income for the rest of her life.

Sadly, Ellie passed away on July 7,1999 in Portland, Oregon. She is survived by her loving daughters, Kathy and Diane.

For David's fans, an excellent tribute to David appears at:

wwww.davidjanssenarchive.net

Michael Phelps
Co-Author
David Janssen - My Fugitive
July, 2009.

Publishers Weekly

This ineptly written tribute to actor David Janssen by his first wife of 12 years (they were divorced in 1970) celebrates his career, centering on the 1963-67 TV series The Fugitive, in which he portrayed Richard Kimble, a doctor who is on the run after being falsely accused of murdering his wife and sentenced to death. Copiously illustrated with photos of his life and with film stills, the book, as told to Florida paralegal Phelps, discusses the actor's heavy drinking and womanizing, as well as Ellie Janssen's stormy marriage to ``a great man'' who died of an apparent heart attack at age 48 in 1980. One doubts that this minor actor is well enough remembered for his wife's memoir to find an audience. (Jan.)

BookList

With the success of the movie "The Fugitive", a biography of the actor who, on TV, first realized the character comes as no surprise. This one promises to be pretty reliable, for its author is Janssen's erstwhile wife, Ellie (Phelps is her as-told-to scribe). In the late 1960s, Janssen left Ellie for a starlet; the tabloid press, much smaller then, had a field day. Ellie kept a low profile thereafter and had to be coaxed to participate in this book. She paints a loving portrait of the man who initially won her from Frank Sinatra and whom millions felt they knew from his starring roles in "Richard Diamond, Private Eye", "The Fugitive", and "Harry-O". Far more famous for those small screen roles, Janssen made movies, too, but his career was marred by frequent unemployment and bouts of heavy drinking. Noteworthy for its subtle and gentle insights into dealing with the benefits and drawbacks of TV fame, this is a warm recollection of a decent and talented man.

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