Ben Dova was an American actor who is best known for Marathon Man, Dear Mr. Wonderful, and The Way of All Freshmen. He was born Joseph Späh on March 14, 1905, in Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France, and passed away on September 30, 1986, in Manassas, Virginia, USA.
Personal and Family Life
Ben Dova was married to Evelyn Veronica Spah from 1931 until his death in 1986. Together they had four children, including Gil Dova and Dick Dova. He was also the uncle and mentor to actor Jack Cassidy. Before becoming an actor, he had a career in vaudeville.
Death and Legacy
Ben Dova died on September 30, 1986, in Manassas, Virginia. He is remembered not only for his acting contributions but also for being a survivor of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. Allegations surrounding the explosion linked him to a potential investigation, but the FBI cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon Man | 1976-10-08 | Szell’s Brother |
| Dear Mr. Wonderful | 1982-08-24 | Ben |
| Der Preis fürs Überleben | 1980-02-18 | Old Jim |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self |