Although he often played a Spaniard, Mexican or Native American, Don Diamond’s father, Benjamin Diamond, emigrated to the United States from Russia in 1906 with his parents. Benjamin Diamond served in the United States Army in World War II and then became a prosperous clothing merchant. Benjamin and Ruth Diamond had another son, Neal, three years younger than Don. Diamond studied drama at the University of Michigan, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1942. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, where he earned a commission. Already fluent in Yiddish, he learned to speak Spanish while he was stationed in New Mexico during World War II. Discharged in 1946 as a first lieutenant, he began acting on radio and became known for his dialect portrayals of Spaniards and Mexicans. This led to his playing the role of “El Toro” in The Adventures of Kit Carson syndicated television series (1951–1955). Diamond also played Corporal Reyes on the Walt Disney television series Zorro (1957–1959) alongside Henry Calvin who portrayed Sergeant Garcia. Don Diamond appeared on more than 100 television shows and in many feature films. He performed extensive voice-over work in commercials and cartoons, most notably as the voice of Toro in the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises cartoon series Tijuana Toads. Don Diamond died due to heart failure in Los Angeles, California on June 19, 2011 at age 90.