Don Megowan - Actor Profile

Don Megowan

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
35Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 24, 1922
Birth Place: Inglewood, California, USA

About Don Megowan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Don Megowan (May 24, 1922 – June 26, 1981) was an American actor. He played the Gill-man on land in The Creature Walks Among Us, the final part of the Creature from the Black Lagoon trilogy. Don Megowan was born in Inglewood, California to Robert and Leila (née Dale) Megowan. His mother Leila worked as a negative cutter for Pathé. At 6'7" Megowan was very active in sports, playing baseball, football, and throwing discus. He went to the University of Southern California on a football scholarship before serving in the United States Army during World War II. Megowan starred in the science fiction films The Werewolf in the role of Sheriff Jack Haines, in The Creation of the Humanoids (1962) as a captain in the anti-robot Order of Flesh and Blood, who must stop the Humanoids, and in The Creature Walks Among Us as the Gill-man. Megowan also appeared in westerns: Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955), The Great Locomotive Chase (1956), Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966), The Devil's Brigade (1968), and Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles (1974). In 1962, he starred with Cameron Mitchell in the television series, The Beachcomber. He guest starred in various programs, including the westerns: Gunsmoke, Wagon Train (twice), The Californians, The Tall Man, Maverick, Cimarron City, Have Gun–Will Travel, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Rifleman, Lawman, Cheyenne, Colt .45, Bonanza, The Americans, Rawhide, and Daniel Boone. He was also cast in episodes of such series as Angel, U.S. Marshal, Get Smart, and Fantasy Island. Megowan, a smoker from age 12 to 48, died of throat cancer at age 59. His weight had dwindled from nearly 300 pounds to barely 150. CLR Description above from the Wikipedia article Don Megowan,licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Don Megowan Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Don Megowan reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 35 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Don Megowan's work falls within the Western genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 43% of Don Megowan's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Hell Canyon Outlaws, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Don Megowan Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Don Megowan's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Don Megowan has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1979 Mrs. R's Daughter Police Sergeant Larsen Super Hit Similar →
1975 The Kansas City Massacre Boss Stinger Average Similar →
1975 Melvin Purvis G-Man Hamburger Stand Man Average Similar →
1974 Truck Turner Garrity Hit Similar →
1974 Blazing Saddles Gum Chewer Hit Similar →
1974 Scream of the Wolf Grant Average Similar →
1968 If He Hollers, Let Him Go! Officer Average Similar →
1968 The Devil's Brigade Luke Phelan Average Similar →
1966 Tarzan and the Valley of Gold Mr. Train Average Similar →
1964 The Luck of Ginger Coffey Job Seeker Hit Similar →
1963 For Love or Money Gregor Garrison Average Similar →
1962 The Creation of the Humanoids Capt. Kenneth Cragis Average Similar →
1961 Guns of the Black Witch Jean Hit Similar →
1960 Valley of the Doomed Clint Farrell Super Hit Similar →
1959 The Jayhawkers! China Average Similar →
1958 Money, Women and Guns John Briggs Average Similar →
1958 A Lust to Kill Cheney Holland Hit Similar →
1958 The Man Who Died Twice T.J. Brennon Average Similar →
1958 Snowfire Mike McGowan Super Hit Similar →
1958 Cool and Lam John Harbet Super Hit Similar →
1958 Tales of Frankenstein The Monster Hit Similar →
1958 Counterspy David Harding Flop Similar →
1957 The Story of Mankind Early Man Flop Similar →
1957 Hell Canyon Outlaws Henchman Walt Super Hit Similar →
1956 Gun the Man Down Ralph Farley Hit Similar →
1956 The Werewolf Sheriff Jack Haines Average Similar →
1956 The Great Locomotive Chase Marion A. Ross Average Similar →
1956 Behind the Scenes with Fess Parker - Flop Similar →
1956 The Creature Walks Among Us The Gill Man (on land)(uncredited) Flop Similar →
1955 A Lawless Street Dooley Brion Flop Similar →
1955 Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier Col. William Travis Average Similar →
1955 Davy Crockett at the Alamo William Travis Hit Similar →
1955 Captain Fathom Captain Fathom Flop Similar →
1953 Sangaree River Pirate (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1951 The Kid from Amarillo Rakim Hit Similar →

Don Megowan - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Don Megowan?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Don Megowan is "Hell Canyon Outlaws" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Don Megowan acted in?

Don Megowan has been featured in at least 35 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Don Megowan?

Other notable films include "Cool and Lam", "Valley of the Doomed", and "Snowfire".

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