Francis Michael Dunne (January 13, 1918 – September 2, 1977) was an American actor, radio personality and disc jockey. He was active on television and in films from 1945–73, and was also credited as Steve Dunn, Michael Dunne, Stephan Dunne, and Steve Dunne.
Early years
Dunne was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. He majored in drama and journalism during his two-and-a-half years at the University of Alabama.[when?] While there, he worked at a local radio station and “found himself in love with the business.”
Radio
Dunne worked as an announcer at a radio station in Worcester, Massachusetts,[when?] and then went to New York, where he worked as both an announcer and a newscaster.[when?] He went on to star as private eye Sam Spade in The Adventures of Sam Spade from 1950-51. He played Lucky Larson in Deadline Mystery (1947),:95, the title character Dr. Daniel Danfield in Danger, Dr. Danfield (1946–47), and he was the announcer for The Jack Kirkwood Show (1943–46).:170
Television
In 1950, Dunne starred in Love and Kisses on KTSL-TV in Los Angeles. On network television, Dunne starred in the comedy Professional Father (1955).:858 He was the announcer for The Bob Crosby Show (1958) and The Liberace Show (1958-1959).:598
In the 1960-61 season, he and Mark Roberts played private detective brothers in the syndicated television series The Brothers Brannagan. He was also the host of the game shows Truth or Consequences (nighttime version, 1957), You’re On Your Own (1956-1957):1210 and Double Exposure (1961).:280
Dunne appeared in several television shows, including Professional Father, The Millionaire, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Petticoat Junction, Batman (episodes 47 and 48), Dragnet 1967, Nanny and the Professor, and The Brady Bunch.
Later years
In 1968, Dunne became director of sales for Hollywood Video Center, a division of Western Video Industries.
Dunne died on September 2, 1977, aged 59.
Personal life
Dunne married Vivian Belliveau in 1940. They had a son, Stephen, and a daughter, Margaret.
