Douglas Fowley, 86, a character actor who appeared in more than 200 films and television shows but is probably best remembered as Doc Holliday in the long-running 1950s television series "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," died May 21 at a hospital in Los Angeles. The cause of death was not reported.
Most frequently a villain or gangster in films from the 1930s through the 1970s, Mr. Fowley was also memorable as the 1920s-era motion picture director in the Gene Kelly musical "Singin' in the Rain," released in 1952.
"My father was there in the beginning of the golden era of Hollywood," said his son, Kim Fowley of New Orleans, who has produced music for such films as "American Graffiti" and "The Butcher Boy."
During his long and varied career, the handsome Mr. Fowley appeared in many Westerns and could change his appearance and persona like a chameleon. He was the dapper, alcoholic and tubercular Doc in the Wyatt Earp series, which starred Hugh O'Brien, from 1955 through 1961. Gray-bearded and squinting behind wire-rimmed glasses, he was also the sharp-shooting patriarch Grandpa Hanks in the series "Pistols 'n' Petticoats," starring Ann Sheridan, in 1966 and 1967.
Also on the small screen, Mr. Fowley appeared in "The Streets of San Francisco," "CHIPs," "The Rockford Files" and "Perry Mason."
Born Daniel Vincent Fowley in New York, he began acting on stage and appeared in several off-Broadway shows before moving to Los Angeles.
Mr. Fowley served in the Navy during World War II.
He made his screen debut in "The Mad Game" starring Spencer Tracy in 1933. Among his other films were "The Hucksters," "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," "Mighty Joe Young," "Battleground," "The Naked Jungle" and "Barabbas." Mr. Fowley's final film was the 1979 "The North Avenue Irregulars." The actor co-wrote, produced and directed one low-budget film, "Macumba Love," in 1960.
Survivors include his wife; five children; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
