Trivia

A founding member of Chicago's Compass Theater. Noted as a master of improvisational comedy, and, especially his pseudo-intellectual monologues. On screen, usually played eccentric roles. At his best as Soviet counter-intelligence agent Kropotkin in The President's Analyst (1967). Also played an evil doctor in two instalments of the 'Planet of the Apes' cycle ('Conquest of...' and 'Battle for...', respectively in 1972 and 1973).

Along with Maurice Evans, he is one of only two actors to play a villain in more than one film in the "Planet of the Apes" series. He played Kolp in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) whereas Evans played Dr. Zaius in Planet of the Apes (1968) and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970).

Was one of the original cast members of Second City in Chicago. Was responsible for shaping that theater's character in its early days.

His father Severn T. Darden Sr. was District Attorney of New Orleans.

Along with Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, Linda Harrison, Ricardo Montalban, John Randolph and Natalie Trundy, he is one of only nine actors to play the same character in more than one film in the original "Planet of the Apes" series. He played Kolp in both Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973).

Nominated for the 1962 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in From the Second City.

Had three seasons with the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut.

Attended Mexico City College and the University of Chicago.

His final Broadway appearance (in April of 1968) was in a major disaster, a British play by Bamber Gascoigne entitled "Leda Had A Little Swan". Darden co-starred with Michael J. Pollard, who had become famous very recently in "Bonnie And Clyde". The play had a large number of previews, every one occasioning a large number of audience walk-outs; after the final one, it was decided that the actual first night should be canceled, so that this was a rare instance of a Broadway show which "closed before it opened". The novelist and screenwriter William Goldman went to an early preview (and walked out); he said that Darden did not know his lines.