Francis Michael Dunne (January 13, 1918 – September 2, 1977) was an American actor, radio personality and disc jockey. He was active in television and films from 1945 to 1973, 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. 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, and then went to New York, where he worked as both an announcer and a newscaster. 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),, the title character Dr. Daniel Danfield in Danger, Dr. Danfield (1946–47), and he was the announcer for The Jack Kirkwood Show (1943–46).

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). He was the announcer for The Bob Crosby Show (1958) and The Liberace Show (1958-1959). 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) and Double Exposure (1961). Dunne appeared in several television shows, including Professional Father, The Millionaire, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Petticoat Junction, Batman (episodes 47 and 48), Nanny and the Professor, Mannix, The Beverly Hillbillies, Dragnet 1967, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and The Brady Bunch.

Later years and death

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.

Partial filmography