Dan Lauria, ’70, whose career has taken him from the football field and campus stage to Broadway and television, will be inducted into the New Haven Gridiron Club Hall of Fame.
Lauria is among 12 members of the 2026 class who will be honored at the club’s 42nd annual Hall of Fame dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Woodwinds in Branford.
The New Haven Gridiron Club Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have contributed to the Greater New Haven area’s football tradition.
Before becoming an accomplished actor, playwright and director, Lauria played football at Southern and discovered his passion for acting through the university’s Crescent Players. He has credited his experience with the student theater group and professor Constance Welch with setting him on the path toward a professional acting career.
“I wouldn’t be an actor today if it wasn’t for the Crescent Players and Constance Welch,” Lauria previously said.
Lauria went on to become best known for his portrayal of Jack Arnold, the father on the Emmy Award-winning television series “The Wonder Years.” His extensive stage career includes portraying legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi in the Broadway production of “Lombardi,” bringing his backgrounds in football and theater together on one of the country’s biggest stages.
He has also written or directed more than 50 professional stage productions. Before launching his acting career, Lauria served for three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including service in Vietnam.
Read the CT Insider stories:
The Wonder Years star Dan Lauria honored for Connecticut football career by New Haven Gridiron Club
Actor and former SCSU football player Dan Lauria among 12 entering New Haven Gridiron Hall of Fame
