Don is probably best remembered for his role as "Ernie Kaltenbrunner" in the 1985 comedy horror 活死人归来 (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 Westchester, Long Island, Don Calfa was originally interested in a career in the fine arts. He got the acting bug after seeing films such as 无因的反叛 (1955) and Vertigo (1958). After dropping out of high school to study at Irwin 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 沃伦·比蒂 in 豪情四海 (1991), 迈克尔·道格拉斯 in 地下审判团 (1983), 杰克·尼科尔森 in 邮差总按两次铃 (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 喋血僵尸镇 (1989) (aka "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown"), "Paulie" in 老板度假去 (1989), "Scarface" in 小迷糊闯七关 (1978). His stage work includes extensive off-off-Broadway work, and he appeared on Broadway in "Lenny".
Nowadays, Don still works in the movie business and works the convention circuit in the USA, alongside his friend, Beverly Randolph, who he met on the set of 活死人归来 (1985). Don recently, 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". Plans are in motion for a "Return of the Living Dead" cast reunion in the United Kingdom in November 2007 at Birmingham's NEC Memorabilia event.
Originally set to play the character "Col Peck" in Return of the Living Dead III (1993) but had to pull out due to personal reasons.
Auditioned for the role of "Doc Mandel" in 活死人归来2 (1988). The role went to 菲利普·布伦斯.
Was sharing an apartment with 理查德·林奇 in 1967 at the time of Lynch's LSD-fueled accident.
In November 2007 he was in the UK for first UK Convention at Winter Memorabilia Show at the NEC Birmingham.
In February 2013 he was in Birmingham, United Kingdon, to attend the Back to the Theatre Film Screenings, double screening of 活死人归来 (1985) and 活跳尸 (1985) at the Custard Factory Theatre, Birmingham, as a special guest along with Graham Humphreys.
Don Calfa, the Mortician in 'The Return of the Living Dead,' played Ernie the embalmer in the cult classic, was a hit man in 'Weekend at Bernie's.' Calfa was cast by some of the top directors of his time, including Peter Bogdanovich (1976's Nickelodeon), Martin Scorsese (1977's New York, New York), Blake Edwards (1979's 10), Steven Spielberg (1979's 1941), Bob Rafelson (the 1981 remake of The Postman Always Rings Twice) and Barry Levinson (1991's Bugsy).
Hosted, wrote, produced and directed radio shows for WBAI in NYC in 1960s.