Little Known Western actors ~ Neil Dainard

[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Neil Dainard is a Canadian theater, film and television actor. Born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1940, he began his acting career with the White Rock Players while still attending Lord Tweedsmuir High School. After graduation he attended a summer course at the University of British Columbia, then attended the National Theatre School in Montreal

Neil began his professional acting career at the Stratford Festival in the 1960s, notably appearing as Laertes in “Hamlet” (1969), and Demetrius in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” (1968). Among the important productions in which he has appeared was the Canadian premiere of Beverley Simons' “Crabdance” (1972).

Dainard has also directed at Vancouver Playhouse, Arts Club Theatre, York University and Ryerson Polytechnical and has also been an instructor at the National Theatre School of Canada.

Dainard appeared in three Canadian westerns: 'The Dawson Patrol' (TV) in 1978 as a Mountie, 'Riel' (TV) in 1979 as Armstrong, "Divided Loyalties" in 1990 and 'Lonesome Dove: The Series' (TV) in 1994 as Jeb Simmons. 

Today he lives in Orangeville, Ontario

Neil has appeared in two Euro-westerns as a technician in 1976’s “Welcome to Blood City” starring Jack Palance and Keir Dullea and the 'Matt and Jenny' TV series 1979-1980 as Adam Cardston.

DAINARD, Neil (aka Neil Dianard) [1940, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -     ] – director, theater, film, TV actor, married to a costume designer and father of three children, founder the ‘Acting for Film and Television School of Canada’.

Welcome to Blood City – 1976 (2nd technician)

Matt and Jenny (TV) 1979-1980 (Adam Cardston)