Douglas Peter Savant

Douglas Peter Savant
Douglas Peter Savant | Source: Pinterest

Profile Summary: Douglas Peter Savant

  • Full Name: Douglas Peter Savant
  • Birthdate: June 21, 1964
  • Age: 60 years old (as of 2025)
  • Birthplace: Burbank, California, USA
  • Nationality: American
  • Ethnicity: Irish-Italian-American
  • Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Early Life & Family

Parents:

  • Names undisclosed; no specific information is available about his family background.

Education:

  • Attended Bellarmine-Jefferson High School, a private Roman Catholic school in Burbank, California.

Career Highlights

Early Career:

  • First gained recognition for playing a younger version of Mac McKenzie (portrayed by Kevin Dobson) on the CBS nighttime soap opera Knots Landing.
  • Paired with Desperate Housewives co-star Nicollette Sheridan, who played a younger version of the Anne Matheson character portrayed by Michelle Phillips.

Breakthrough Role:

  • Played Matt Fielding, one of the first mainstream openly gay characters on television, in the hit series Melrose Place (1992–1997)

Notable TV Appearances:

  • Starred in popular TV series such as:
    • Profiler
    • Harsh Realm
    • Firefly
    • JAG
    • NCIS
    • Nip/Tuck
    • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
    • A four-episode arc on 24

Film Career:

  • Featured in films like:
    • Masquerade (starring Rob Lowe)
    • Teen Wolf (with Michael J. Fox)
    • Trick or Treat (alongside Marc Price and Ozzy Osbourne).
  • Played Sgt. O’Neal in the 1998 movie Godzilla.

Later Career:

  • Gained widespread fame for his role as Tom Scavo in ABC’s prime-time show Desperate Housewives.

Awards & Recognition

  • Nominated for Gold Derby Awards for Ensemble of the Year (Desperate Housewives, 2004).
  • Nominated three times for Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Desperate Housewives ).
  • Won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Desperate Housewives, 2004).

Personal Life

Marriages:

  1. Dawn Savant (1983–1997):
    • The couple has two children: Arianna Josephine Savant and Madeline Marie Savant.
    • Divorced in 1997.
  2. Laura Leighton (married in May 1998):
    • The couple has two children: Lucy Jane Leighton Savant and Jack Douglas Savant.
    • Laura is an American actress known for her role as Sydney Andrews in Melrose Place.

Current Status:

  • Happily married to Laura Leighton and balancing family life with his acting career.

Philanthropy

  • Actively involved with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
  • Collaborated with celebrities like Denise Richards, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Allison Sweeney to design personalized sippee cups, auctioned off to support pediatric AIDS research.

Trivia/Fun Facts

  • Born under the zodiac sign Cancer, symbolizing empathy, creativity, and loyalty.
  • Known for his groundbreaking role as Matt Fielding, one of the first openly gay characters on mainstream television.
  • He shared screen time with his wife, Laura Leighton, in Melrose Place.

Legacy

Douglas Peter Savant is a celebrated actor whose career spans decades of impactful performances in both television and film. His portrayal of Matt Fielding in Melrose Place broke barriers as one of the first openly gay characters on mainstream TV, paving the way for greater representation in media. Later, his role as Tom Scavo in Desperate Housewives solidified his status as a household name. Beyond his professional achievements, Douglas’s dedication to philanthropy, particularly through the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, highlights his commitment to making a difference in the world. As he continues to inspire audiences, Douglas remains a respected figure in the entertainment industry. 🌟🎬✨

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