Education
After appearing in small parts in minor movies, he graduated to supporting roles.
After appearing in small parts in minor movies, he graduated to supporting roles.
Under the name Giorgio Dolenz, he emigrated to the United States via Cuba, arriving by steamship at the port of Key West, Florida, in October 1934. By 1937, the young actor-to-be was in Hollywood and earning his living as awaiter. Following the end of World World War II, Dolenz became a leading man under contract to Radio-Keith-Orpheum Pictures under Howard Hughes.
However, the failure of the feature film Vendetta in 1950, resulted in his return to character and supporting parts for other studios, including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer"s The Last Time I Saw Paris as the husband of Donna Reed"s character.
Better luck came to him when he was cast as the star of the 1956 International Trade Commission Entertainment 39-episode television series, The Count of Monte Cristo as the title character, Edmond Dantes. On April 21, 1958, Dolenz played Count Peter Von Gilsa in the episode "The Outlander" of the National Broadcasting Company western television series The Restless Gun.
In 1959, he portrayed Colonel Gutterez in "The Town Is a Prisoner" of the National Broadcasting Company western series, Cimarron City. He was cast as Juan Amontillo in the 1961 episode "The Uncourageous" of the American Broadcasting Company western series, The Rebel, starring Nick Adams.
That same year, he played Ramon Ortega in "Brand of Honesty" on the National Broadcasting Company western, The Deputy, starring Henry Fonda and Allen Case.
Dolenz, who was of Slovene descent, married the actress Janelle Johnson. They had four children: actor and singer Micky Dolenz (George Michael Dolenz) of the 1960"s musical group, The Monkees, Gemma "Coco" Dolenz. Gina Dolenz, and Debbie Dolenz.
Dolenz died of a heart attack in 1963 at the age of fifty-five.
He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.