John Gavin

Acting

John Gavin

Born
Died
(aged 86)
Birthplace
Los Angeles, California, USA
Credits
45 titles

Biography

John Gavin (April 8, 1931 – February 9, 2018) was an American actor who was the United States Ambassador to Mexico (1981–86) and the president of the Screen Actors Guild (1971–73). He was best known for his performances in the films Imitation of Life (1959), Spartacus (1960), Psycho (1960), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), playing leading roles in a series of films for producer Ross Hunter.

Born Juan Vincent Apablasa Jr., Gavin was of Mexican, Chilean and Spanish descent, and was fluent in Spanish. His father, Juan Vincent Apablasa Sr., was of Chilean origin, and his paternal ancestors, including Cayetano Apablasa, were early landowners in California under Spanish rule. Gavin's mother was Delia Diana Pablos. Gavin’s parents divorced when he was about two years old. Gavin’s mother married Herald Ray Golenor, who adopted Gavin and changed his name to John Anthony Golenor.

Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 45

YearTitleRole
2020 Disclosure Film Sam Loomis (archive footage)
2015 True Fear: The Making of Psycho Film Self
2002 The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema Film
1980 Sophia Loren: Her Own Story Film Cary Grant
1979 Hart to Hart TV (1 ep)
1979 Doctors' Private Lives TV (4 ep)
1978 The New Adventures of Heidi Film Dan Wyler
1978 Flying High TV (1 ep)
1978 Jennifer Film Senator Tremayne
1978 Doctors' Private Lives Film Dr. Jeffrey Latimer
1978 Fantasy Island TV Harry Kellino (1 ep)
1977 The Love Boat TV Dan Barton (1 ep)
1976 House of Shadows Film Roland Stewart
1974 Hard Day at Blue Nose Film
1973 Nefertiti and Akhenaten Film Akhenaten
1973 Keep It in the Family Film Roy McDonald
1970 Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You Film Charlie Harrison (Grant Granite)
1970 Cutter's Trail Film Ben Cutter
1969 The Madwoman of Chaillot Film The Reverend
1969 Medical Center TV (1 ep)
1968 OSS 117 Murder for Sale Film Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath
1967 Mannix TV (1 ep)
1967 Thoroughly Modern Millie Film Trevor Graydon
1967 Pedro Paramo Film Pedro Páramo
1965 Convoy TV Comdr. Dan Talbot (13 ep)
1964 The Solid Gold Girl Film Harrison Destry
1964 Destry TV (13 ep)
1963 Kraft Suspense Theatre TV Carlos, Tom Threepersons (1 ep)
1962 The Merv Griffin Show TV Self (1 ep)
1962 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour TV Johnny Kendall, Don Reed (1 ep)
1962 The Virginian TV Charles Boulanger / Baker (1 ep)
1961 The Mike Douglas Show TV Self (1 ep)
1961 Back Street Film Paul Saxon
1961 Tammy Tell Me True Film Thomas 'Tom' Freeman
1961 Romanoff and Juliet Film Igor Romanoff
1960 Spartacus Film Julius Caesar
1960 Midnight Lace Film Brian Younger
1960 Psycho Film Sam Loomis
1960 A Breath of Scandal Film Charles Foster
1959 Imitation of Life Film Steve Archer
1958 A Time to Love and a Time to Die Film Ernst Graeber
1957 Quantez Film Teach
1957 Four Girls in Town Film Tom Grant
1956 Behind the High Wall Film Johnny Hutchins
1956 Raw Edge Film Dan Kirby (as John Gilmore)
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