Doug Savant: From Soap Opera Star to Hollywood Mainstay
One of the more recognizable faces on TV, Doug Savant is an American actor whose most memorable roles to date include those in *Desperate Housewives* and *Melrose Place*. Having been around the business for several decades, he is happily married to actress Laura Leighton off-screen.
Quick Facts of Douglas Peter Savant
| Profession | Actor, Producer |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Douglas Peter Savant |
| Birthplace | Burbank, California, USA |
| Ethnicity | German and Austrian descent |
| Education | Attended the University of California, Los Angeles (left before graduating) |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship History | Yes |
One of the most talented American actors, Doug Savant, is extremely popular for his roles as Matt Fielding in Melrose Place and Tom Scavo in Desperate Housewives. Born on June 21, 1964, in Burbank, California, he has made certain contributions to television by portraying one of the first gay characters ever on mainstream media.
He is still active in the profession and has been working for several years while being engaged in a lot of charity work related to AIDS awareness.
Early Life and Education
Douglas Savant was born on June 21, 1964, in Burbank, California. Raised in Burbank, he attended the University of California at Los Angeles but left before his graduation to start a career in acting. During his fledgling days, he made guest appearances in teen comedies such as Teen Wolf and Secret Admirer in 1985 and a horror movie called Trick or Treat in 1986.
He also gained some more recognition for his recurring role on the CBS soap opera Knots Landing from 1986 to 1987, which he did with Nicollette Sheridan.
Career Breakthroughs and Milestones
Savant broke into the business with Melrose Place; he became the first openly gay character in a major television series. Probably the most famous censorship occurred to Doug Savant’s character, Matt Fielding, when the network cut a meaningful kiss scene with his boyfriend in Melrose Place.
He left the show and subsequently had his character killed in a car accident. In 1998, he worked on the film Godzilla as Sgt. O’Neal. Savant continued to work in television, guest-starring in series such as Nip/Tuck, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and 24.
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Desperate Housewives and Later Career
In 2004, he was cast in the lead role as Tom Scavo in Desperate Housewives, integral to the series. He played the role of a good husband and good father as part of the buildup that helped the show go all the way up until the ending in 2012.
Throughout his life, Doug Savant has performed an awful lot of philanthropy. Specifically, he has been involved in causes related to AIDS awareness, something very close to his heart.
Awards and Recognition
For his work on Melrose Place, Doug Savant was nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1996.
He received a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Tom Scavo in Desperate Housewives in 2005.
Personal Life
Doug Savant married Laura Leighton, an actress and fellow Melrose Place alumna, in May 1998. They have two children: Jack and Lucy.
He also has two daughters from a previous marriage to Dawn Marie Dunkin. Savant still stays relevant in Hollywood today, as he continues to appear in different television series.
Net Worth and Earnings
Doug Savant, whose professional career was a success, must have piled up his huge net worth. As of 2024, analysts estimate Doug Savant’s net worth at $8 million
His earnings seem to have taken a consistent rise in the past years, where his television projects in Melrose Place and Desperate Housewives emerged as the heftiest earners.
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