Matinee Classics - John Lupton Biography & Filmography

John Lupton ACTOR

PHOTOS

JOHN LUPTON BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

John Lupton was born on August 23rd, 1928 in Highland Park, Illinois with the middle name Rollin. During high school he first developed an interest in acting when he would perform in a number of the school plays. Following earning his high school diploma, Lupton first found work as a amateur stage actor with a local stock company and later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to perfect his art of acting.

By 1949, Lupton began appearing on Broadway in such productions as, "Diamond Lil" followed by roles in, "The Glass Menagerie" and "As You Like It" in 1950 with actress Katherine Hepburn.

It was his friendship with Hepburn that helped Lupton break into the film industry and being signed as a contract player with MGM. By the early 1950's, he was appearing on the big screen with MGM studio's in minor roles for such films as, "Julius Caesar" (1953) and "Scandal at Scourie" (1953).

Lupton then felt that his talents were not being put to good use and therefore, he chose to leave MGM and began to freelance being cast in more substantial roles for such films as, "Battle Cry" (1955), "The Great Locomotive Chase" (1956), "Drango" (1957), "Taming Sutton's Gal" (1957), "Gun Fever" (1958) and "The Man in the Net" (1959).

He also worked with Disney Studio's on a number of other films such as, "The World's Greatest Athlete" (1973), "The Carnival Caper" (1976), "The Young Runaways" (1978) and "The Secret of the Lost Valley" (1980).

In addition to now making a name for himself in the film industry, Lupton also began making appearances on a variety of television series such as, "Robert Montgomery Presents", "Playhouse 90", "Studio One", "Wagon Train", "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." starring Jim Nabors, "The F.B.I." starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., "Ironside" starring Raymond Burr, "Kung Fu" starring David Carradine, "Cannon" starring William Conrad, "Charlie's Angels" starring Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Farrah Fawcett and "Medical Center" starring Chad Everett.

He also had recurring roles on, "Broken Arrow" co-starring Michael Ansara as the Apache Chief Cochise and the soap opera, "Days of Our Lives". As his career progressed some of his latest roles were on the television sitcom's, "Who's the Boss?" (1992), "Good Advice" (1993), the soap opera, "The Young and the Restless" (1980) and his final role in the film, "Body Shot" in 1994.

In addition to his professional life, Lupton also set aside time to volunteer for the Special Olympics as well as the Multiple Sclerosis Association. John Lupton was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the entertainment industry.

John married twice throughout his lifetime. His first marriage ended in 1959 after having one child. He then married Dian Friml and they remained together until he passed away at the age of sixty five, on November 3rd, 1993 in Los Angeles, California.