John Davidson
Entertainer JOHN DAVIDSON has received acclaim for his work in theatre, television, film and night clubs but is most proud of a series of new educational card games he and his wife Rhonda created to help children learn and love geography. Called BORDERLINE, the games are now available in three editions — USA, Europe/Middle East and Africa. Kids age 8 and up love playing Borderline with family or friends and teachers have introduced it into their social studies curriculum all over the country.
John was born in Pittsburgh, PA., the son of a Baptist minister and a homemaker. After graduating from Denison University with a B.A. in Theater Arts he made his Broadway debut in the 1964 production of “FOXY” opposite the legendary Bert Lahr. Television producer Bob Banner, who discovered and nurtured such talents as Carol Burnett and Dom DeLuise, was impressed by John’s performance and offered to guide his career in the television and film industries. During their partnership John hosted two prime time variety shows, The Entertainers and Kraft Summer Music Hall and starred in two popular Walt Disney films, “The One And Only Genuine Original Family Band” and “The Happiest Millionaire.” His more recent film roles include “The Squeeze” with Michael Keaton, and “Edward Scissorhands” directed by Tim Burton.
He hosted The Tonight Show over 80 times, the only singer to achieve that milestone. His obvious ability to think on his feet and maintain control in unexpected situations led to his hosting That’s Incredible!, The John Davidson Show, Hollywood Squares, and The $100,000 Pyramid, in addition to hosting The Golden Globes and numerous other variety specials. John’s dramatic TV credits include roles on Spenser for Hire, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Fantasticks and John Dos Passos’ USA, and his memorable portrayal of a female impersonator on The Streets of San Francisco. Comedy roles include playing Sally Field’s husband on the series The Girl with Something Extra, Love American Style, and the TV film Coffee, Tea or Me? with Karen Valentine.
John has returned to stage and television throughout his career, earning a Theater World Award in 1965 for his portrayal of Curly in the City Centers revival of “OKLAHOMA!” He has reprised that role in many productions, the last of which he also directed. Other favorite musical roles include Harold Hill in “THE MUSIC MAN,” King Arthur and Sir Lancelot in “CAMELOT,” Billy Bigelow in “CAROUSEL,” Will Rogers in “THE WILL ROGERS’ FOLLIES” (for which he won an Angelo .award,) Father in “RAGTIME” and Teddy Roosevelt in “TEDDY AND ALICE.” His interest and admiration for TR lead to a successful national tour in the acclaimed one man show, “BULLY! An Adventure with Teddy Roosevelt.” In 1996, John returned to his Broadway roots playing the leading role in Rodgers’ & Hammerstein’s “STATE FAIR” as well as starring in the First National Tour. In 2000 he appeared Off-Broadway opposite Morgan Fairchild in the comedy “HIGH INFIDELITY.”
John has also had a long and illustrious career as one of America’s consummate all-around musical entertainers. Introduced to Las Vegas audiences by Jack Benny in 1966, he has headlined at the Las Vegas Hilton, the MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, the Riviera, the Desert Inn, the Golden Nugget, Harrah’s, and at his own theater in Branson, Missouri. John met his wife Rhonda in Branson where she was singing with recor7d1~ng artist Vicki Can. John hired her to appear in his show and their subsequent partnership in life and business continues 24 years later!
John and Rhonda have traveled extensively over the last two decades, educating their youngest child, Ashleigh, while on the road (where Ashleigh joined her father in the cast of the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “State Fair”), and while living and cruising aboard their diesel trawler Principia for three years.. By the time Ashleigh entered high school she had visited almost every state in the USA, over 10 countries, and had studied Spanish in Mexico alongside her parents. She is now an honor student at a private high school in New Jersey where she is the first home schooled child ever accepted and has her sights set on a career in the arts. Their older children, John Jr. and Jennifer, live with their respective families in California and Florida, where John Jr. is a business consultant, and Jennifer is a professional ice skater.
As a result of their life-long interest in travel and education, the Davidson’s created Borderline geography card games. The game evolved during the seven years they toured the country and home-schooled their daughter Ashleigh. The success of the original USA edition with parents, kids and the educational toy market, lead to the creation of the Europe/Middle East edition in 2001 and the Africa edition In 2002. Their faith in the value of their games has been well-rewarded. Borderline Games have won numerous awards, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy and a Parents’ Choice Recommended and Classic Award.Entertainer JOHN DAVIDSON has received acclaim for his work in theatre, television, film and night clubs but is most proud of a series of new educational card games he and his wife Rhonda created to help children learn and love geography. Called BORDERLINE, the games are now available in three editions — USA, Europe/Middle East and Africa. Kids age 8 and up love playing Borderline with family or friends and teachers have introduced it into their social studies curriculum all over the country.
John was born in Pittsburgh, PA., the son of a Baptist minister and a homemaker. After graduating from Denison University with a B.A. in Theater Arts he made his Broadway debut in the 1964 production of “FOXY” opposite the legendary Bert Lahr. Television producer Bob Banner, who discovered and nurtured such talents as Carol Burnett and Dom DeLuise, was impressed by John’s performance and offered to guide his career in the television and film industries. During their partnership John hosted two prime time variety shows, The Entertainers and Kraft Summer Music Hall and starred in two popular Walt Disney films, “The One And Only Genuine Original Family Band” and “The Happiest Millionaire.” His more recent film roles include “The Squeeze” with Michael Keaton, and “Edward Scissorhands” directed by Tim Burton.
He hosted The Tonight Show over 80 times, the only singer to achieve that milestone. His obvious ability to think on his feet and maintain control in unexpected situations led to his hosting That’s Incredible!, The John Davidson Show, Hollywood Squares, and The $100,000 Pyramid, in addition to hosting The Golden Globes and numerous other variety specials. John’s dramatic TV credits include roles on Spenser for Hire, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Fantasticks and John Dos Passos’ USA, and his memorable portrayal of a female impersonator on The Streets of San Francisco. Comedy roles include playing Sally Field’s husband on the series The Girl with Something Extra, Love American Style, and the TV film Coffee, Tea or Me? with Karen Valentine.
John has returned to stage and television throughout his career, earning a Theater World Award in 1965 for his portrayal of Curly in the City Centers revival of “OKLAHOMA!” He has reprised that role in many productions, the last of which he also directed. Other favorite musical roles include Harold Hill in “THE MUSIC MAN,” King Arthur and Sir Lancelot in “CAMELOT,” Billy Bigelow in “CAROUSEL,” Will Rogers in “THE WILL ROGERS’ FOLLIES” (for which he won an Angelo .award,) Father in “RAGTIME” and Teddy Roosevelt in “TEDDY AND ALICE.” His interest and admiration for TR lead to a successful national tour in the acclaimed one man show, “BULLY! An Adventure with Teddy Roosevelt.” In 1996, John returned to his Broadway roots playing the leading role in Rodgers’ & Hammerstein’s “STATE FAIR” as well as starring in the First National Tour. In 2000 he appeared Off-Broadway opposite Morgan Fairchild in the comedy “HIGH INFIDELITY.”
John has also had a long and illustrious career as one of America’s consummate all-around musical entertainers. Introduced to Las Vegas audiences by Jack Benny in 1966, he has headlined at the Las Vegas Hilton, the MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, the Riviera, the Desert Inn, the Golden Nugget, Harrah’s, and at his own theater in Branson, Missouri. John met his wife Rhonda in Branson where she was singing with recor7d1~ng artist Vicki Can. John hired her to appear in his show and their subsequent partnership in life and business continues 24 years later!
John and Rhonda have traveled extensively over the last two decades, educating their youngest child, Ashleigh, while on the road (where Ashleigh joined her father in the cast of the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “State Fair”), and while living and cruising aboard their diesel trawler Principia for three years.. By the time Ashleigh entered high school she had visited almost every state in the USA, over 10 countries, and had studied Spanish in Mexico alongside her parents. She is now an honor student at a private high school in New Jersey where she is the first home schooled child ever accepted and has her sights set on a career in the arts. Their older children, John Jr. and Jennifer, live with their respective families in California and Florida, where John Jr. is a business consultant, and Jennifer is a professional ice skater.
As a result of their life-long interest in travel and education, the Davidson’s created Borderline geography card games. The game evolved during the seven years they toured the country and home-schooled their daughter Ashleigh. The success of the original USA edition with parents, kids and the educational toy market, lead to the creation of the Europe/Middle East edition in 2001 and the Africa edition In 2002. Their faith in the value of their games has been well-rewarded. Borderline Games have won numerous awards, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy and a Parents’ Choice Recommended and Classic Award.