Don Diamond

Don Diamond Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: June 4, 1921

Death Date: June 19, 2011

Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York

Of Russian ancestry, formally trained actor Don Diamond used his ear for accents to accurately mimic the local dialects he heard while stationed in New Mexico during World War II. Upon his return to civilian life, Diamond brought his newfound repertoire to radio, where he portrayed Mexican and Native American characters to convincing effect. In the 1950s, he successfully translated his niche talent to the then-burgeoning medium of television. Often filling the role of second banana, Diamond played El Toro, the hero's Mexican companion, on "The Adventures of Kit Carson," and appeared in a similar part on the ABC series "Zorro."

His most memorable role emerged in 1965 on "F Troop," a classic Civil-War-era sitcom set on an Army outpost in Kansas. Although he wasn't a featured player until the show's second season, Diamond quickly became a fan favorite as Crazy Cat, the right-hand man of the Native American Hekawi tribe who comically yearned to be chief. Before retiring in 1987, Diamond appeared in over 100 television series and movies, including "Get Smart," "Newhart," "Dallas," "MacGyver," "The Rockford Files," and "Tijuana Toads," a 1970s series of theatrically released animated shorts that featured Diamond as a perpetually outsmarted toad named Toro.

Credits

NewhartStream

Guest Star
Series
1982

The New Adventures of Zorro

Voice
Show
1981

The White Shadow

Guest Star
Series
1978

The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew MysteriesStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

One Day at a TimeStream

Guest Star
Series
1975

Shell Game

Actor
Chauffeur
Movie
1975

The Rockford FilesStream

Guest Star
Coelho
Series
1974

Chico and the ManStream

Guest Star
Series
1974

Barnaby JonesStream

Guest Star
Series
1973

Colombo: Candidato per il crimine

Actor
Larry
Movie
1973

The Streets of San FranciscoStream

Actor
Clerk
Series
1972

Golpe a Golpe

Actor
Movie
1972

Only One Day Left Before Tomorrow

Actor
Sam
Movie
1972

Hit Man

Actor
Nano Zito
Movie
1972

Cannon

Guest Star
Dexter 2
Series
1971

The Odd CoupleStream

Guest Star
Man at O.T.B.
Series
1970

Love, American Style

Actor
The Plumber
Series
1969

Here's LucyStream

Guest Star
Series
1968

The High Chaparral

Guest Star
Series
1967

The Flying NunStream

Actor
Series
1967

The Flying NunStream

Guest Star
Series
1967

Good Morning WorldStream

Guest Star
Moving Man
Series
1967

That GirlStream

Guest Star
Series
1966

Get SmartStream

Guest Star
Series
1965

The Wild, Wild WestStream

Guest Star
Series
1965

F TroopStream

Actor
Crazy Cat
Series
1965

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.Stream

Guest Star
Travel Agent
Series
1964

My Favorite MartianStream

Guest Star
Series
1963

Swingin' Along

Actor
Tony
Movie
1962

The Dick Van Dyke ShowStream

Guest Star
Gonzales
Series
1961

Route 66Stream

Guest Star
Manuel
Series
1960

The Story of RuthStream

Actor
Yomar
Movie
1960

RawhideStream

Guest Star
Series
1959

77 Sunset Strip

Guest Star
Crus
Series
1958

ZorroStream

Actor
Series
1957

Trackdown

Guest Star
Hodges
Show
1957

Raiders of Old California

Actor
Pepe
Movie
1957

Zane Grey Theater

Actor
Series
1956

Circus Boy

Guest Star
Show
1956

The Life and Legend of Wyatt EarpStream

Guest Star
John Shanssey
Series
1955

Lassie

Guest Star
Joe
Series
1954

Jeff's Collie

Guest Star
Show
1954

Death Valley DaysStream

Actor
Mexican
Series
1952

The Adventures of Kit CarsonStream

Actor
El Toro
Series
1951

Borderline

Actor
Deusik
Movie
1950

The Lone RangerStream

Guest Star
Pedro Matinez
Series
1949