Don is probably best remembered for his role as "Ernie Kaltenbrunner'
in the 1985 comedy horror
Verdammt, die Zombies kommen (1985).
Don's career spans over 40 years in both film and TV. Born in Brooklyn,
New York, and raised in Ozone Park Queens, and later West Hempstead, Long
Island, Don Calfa was originally interested in a career in the fine
arts. He got the acting bug after seeing films such as
...denn sie wissen nicht, was sie tun (1955)
and Vertigo: Aus dem Reich der Toten (1958). After dropping out of
high school to study at Erwin Piscotor's "The Dramatic Workshop," (he
finished his degree in night school), Calfa spent two years in summer
stock which enabled him to join Actors Equity and eventually get his
SAG card.
Don has starred alongside some of cinema's greats including
Warren Beatty in
Bugsy (1991),
Michael Douglas in
Ein Richter sieht rot (1983),
Jack Nicholson in
Wenn der Postmann zweimal klingelt (1981),
and many more.
Among Don's most memorable roles were as 'Mr. Pitts' on the TV series
Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990),
'Ralph Wilum' in
Zombie Town (1989) (aka Chopper
Chicks in Zombietown), 'Paulie' in
Immer Ärger mit Bernie (1989),
'Scarface' in Eine ganz krumme Tour (1978). His
stage work includes extensive off-off-Broadway work, and he appeared on
Broadway in "Lenny."
Don worked in the movie business and works the
convention circuit in the USA, alongside his friend,
Beverly Randolph, who he met
on the set of
Verdammt, die Zombies kommen (1985).
Don, along with the rest of The Return of the Living Dead
cast, recorded a cast commentary for a new special edition release of
"The Return of the Living Dead."
