Douglass Watson was an American actor whose career included Broadway, film, television, and daytime serial drama. He was best known for playing publisher Mac Cory on Another World from 1974 to 1989, a role that earned him two Daytime Emmy Awards. He also served in World War II and received two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Background
Watson was born on February 24, 1921, in Jackson, Georgia, to Caroline Smith Watson and Larkin Douglass Watson Jr., a teacher. He later worked under both Douglass Watson and the variant Douglas Watson.
Before entering acting, Watson served in the United States military during World War II. His wartime service brought him two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross, decorations associated with wounds and distinguished achievement in military aviation or combat service.
Career
Watson began his professional acting career in the late 1940s and became a prominent New York stage performer. His Broadway credits included Antony and Cleopatra, King Richard III, The Wisteria Trees, Romeo and Juliet, Desire Under the Elms, The Confidential Clerk, Cyrano de Bergerac, A Man for All Seasons, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Much Ado About Nothing, Over Here!, and The Philadelphia Story. Broadway developed within New York's commercial theater district, while Watson's repertory included classical drama, modern plays, revivals, and musicals.
He appeared in films including Julius Caesar, in which he played Octavius Caesar, Sayonara, Ulzana's Raid, The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, and The Money Pit. His screen work placed him within the postwar American studio and television industries, where established stage actors frequently moved between theater, film, and broadcast drama.
Watson also worked extensively in television. His daytime serial credits included Moment of Truth, Search for Tomorrow, and Love of Life. In 1974 he joined Another World as Mac Cory, the wealthy publisher and patriarchal figure previously played by Robert Emhardt. Watson remained associated with the role until his death and won Daytime Emmy Awards for his performance in 1980 and 1981.
His stage work continued alongside television. In the 1974 New York Shakespeare Festival production of King Lear, he played Kent opposite James Earl Jones, and the performance helped establish his connection with Another World. Watson died of a heart attack on May 1, 1989, while vacationing in Arizona; Mac Cory died on the serial shortly afterward.
Achievements
Watson built a four-decade acting career spanning Broadway, film, television, and daytime serial drama, with more than thirty Broadway appearances reported during his lifetime.
He played Mac Cory on Another World from 1974 until 1989, making the character one of the defining roles of his career.
He portrayed Kent in the New York Shakespeare Festival production of King Lear opposite James Earl Jones.
Works
film
The Trial of the Catonsville Nine
(Watson portrayed Father Philip Berrigan in the film based...)
1972
Julius Caesar
(Watson portrayed Octavius Caesar in the film adaptation o...)
(Watson appeared as Major Cartwright in the western film.)
1972
Sayonara
(Watson appeared as Colonel Crawford in the film drama.)
1957
The Money Pit
(Watson played Walter Fielding Sr. in the comedy film.)
1986
play
King Lear
(Watson played Kent in the New York Shakespeare Festival p...)
1974
Much Ado About Nothing
(Watson portrayed Don Pedro in the Broadway revival and re...)
1972
Desire Under the Elms
(Watson played Eben Cabot in the Broadway revival of Eugen...)
1952
Antony and Cleopatra
(Watson appeared as Eros in the Broadway revival of Shakes...)
1947
A Man for All Seasons
(Watson played King Henry VIII in the Broadway production.)
1961
The Confidential Clerk
(Watson appeared as Colby Simpkins in T. S. Eliot's Broadw...)
1954
TV series
Another World
(Watson portrayed publisher Mac Cory from 1974 until 1989 ...)
1974
Connections
Watson was married to Eugenia Laring-Clark. They had three children, including Randall Watson. Watson was interred at Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich, Connecticut, a historic nonsectarian cemetery serving the Greenwich community.
Wife:
Eugenia Laring-Clark
Watson's wife; they remained married until his death.
