Matinee Classics - John Gavin Biography & Filmography

John Gavin ACTOR

PHOTOS

JOHN GAVIN BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

John Gavin was born on April 8th, 1931 in Los Angeles, California with the birth name John Anthony Golenor. After he graduated from St. John's Military Academy in Los Angeles he went on to enroll at Stanford University earning a BA in Latin American Economic History. He then joined the United States Navy and served as an air intelligence officer from 1952 through 1955.

He became involved in acting when Universal Pictures offered him a screen test followed by a contract. His film debut was in 1956 in, "Behind the High Wall" followed by a role in, "A Time to Love and a Time to Die" (1958) and then he was cast as the lead in, "Imitation of Life" (1959) also starring Lana Turner and Sandra Dee.

He was already well on his way to stardom with a number of more prominent roles to soon be added to his resume in such films as the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, "Psycho" (1960) starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, "Spartacus" (1960) starring Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, Claire Bloom and Laurence Olivier among a host of terrific actors, "Back Street" (1961) and "Insight" (1963).

In addition to his film roles he also worked on such television series as, "Destry" (1964), "Convoy" (1965), "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" (1963-1965) and "The Virginian" (1964).

In 1971 he was chosen for the James Bond film, "Diamonds Are Forever", however, he never actually played the part but because he was under contract he was still given the full salary.

About this same time that his professional acting career was at it's all time high, Gavin was also appointed special adviser to the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS). He also served on the board of the Screen Actors Guild from 1971 through 1973.

He began to turn his focus more towards politics and his goal of becoming the United States Ambassador to Mexico. For eight years, Gavin was engaged in various business activities between America and Latin America.

However, he still did not stop acting and worked in a number of films during the 1970's as well as a variety of stage productions. He added such Broadway credits to his resume as, "Seesaw" (1973) and a number of appearances on such television series as, "The Love Boat", "Doctors' Private Lives", "Mannix", "Medical Center" and "Fantasy Island".

John then decided to leave the entertainment industry for good and really focus on his initial life political goals. In 1981, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as Ambassador to Mexico, a position he held up until 1986.

Gavin then left working as an Ambassador and focused on becoming a businessman and civic leader. He also became founder and chairman of Gamma Holdings and served on the boards of Apex Mortgage Capital, International Wire Holdings, KKFC, Inc., Dresser Industries, Claxson and pro bono.

John Gavin is currently married to his second wife, Constance Towers whom he wed in 1974. Prior to this marriage, he was married to Cicely Evans from 1957 through 1965 and together they had two children. He has a total of four children, two from his wife's current relationship and they have three grandchildren.

Filmography

1978-1981 Fantasy Island

1980 Hart to Hart

1980 Sophia Loren: Her Own Story

1979 Doctors' Private Lives

1978 The New Adventures of Heidi

1978 Flying High

1978 Jennifer

1978 Doctors' Private Lives

1977 The Love Boat

1976 Medical Center

1976 La casa de las sombras