John Gavin
Gavin in Destry (1964)
United States Ambassador to Mexico
In office
June 5, 1981 – June 10, 1986
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byJulian Nava
Succeeded byCharles J. Pilliod Jr.
17th President of the Screen Actors Guild
In office
1971–1973
Preceded byCharlton Heston
Succeeded byDennis Weaver
Personal details
Born
Juan Vincent Apablasa

(1931-04-08)April 8, 1931
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedFebruary 9, 2018(2018-02-09) (aged 86)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Spouses
Cecily Evans
​
​
(m. 1957; div. 1965)​
    ​
    (m. 1974)​
    Children2
    Alma materStanford University
    Occupation
    • Actor
    • diplomat
    Military service
    Allegiance United States
    Branch/service United States Navy
    Years of service1951–1955
    RankLieutenant
    Battles/warsKorean War

    John Gavin (born Juan Vincent Apablasa; April 8, 1931 – February 9, 2018) was an American actor and diplomat who was the president of the Screen Actors Guild (1971–73), and the United States Ambassador to Mexico (1981–86).[1] Among the films he appeared in were A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958), Imitation of Life (1959), Spartacus (1960), Psycho (1960), Midnight Lace (1960) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), playing leading roles for producer Ross Hunter.

    Life and career

    Early life

    Gavin was born in Los Angeles as Juan Vincent Apablasa II. His father, Juan Vincent Apablasa Sr., was of Chilean descent and his mother, Delia Diana Pablos, was a Mexican-born aristocrat. When Juan was two, his parents divorced and his mother married Herald Ray Golenor, who adopted Juan and changed his name to John Anthony Golenor.[2][3][4]

    After attending Roman Catholic schools, St. John's Military Academy (Los Angeles), and Villanova Preparatory (Ojai, California), he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree and Latin American affairs from Stanford University, where he did senior honors work in Latin American economic history and was a member of Chi Psi fraternity and Navy ROTC.

    Military service

    During the Korean War, Gavin was commissioned in the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Princeton off Korea where he served as an air intelligence officer from 1951 until the end of the war in 1953. Due to Gavin's fluency in both Spanish and Portuguese, he was assigned as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Milton E. Miles until he completed his four-year tour of duty in 1955. He received an award for his work in the Honduras floods of 1954.[5]

    In a 1960 interview, Gavin disputed rumors that he was born into wealth by revealing that he attended a preparatory school and Stanford University on scholarships.[6]

    Entry into acting

    Following his naval service, Gavin offered himself as a technical adviser to family friend and film producer Bryan Foy, who was making a movie about the Princeton. Instead, Foy arranged a screen test for Gavin with Universal-International. Gavin initially refused the offer, but his father urged him to try it. The test was successful and Gavin signed with the studio.[7][8] "They offered me so much money I couldn't resist", he said later.[9]

    Universal groomed Gavin as a leading man in the mold of Rock Hudson. He trained in Jess Kimmel's talent workshop under the name John Gilmore. His classmates included Grant Williams, Gia Scala and John Saxon.[10] His first film was Raw Edge (1956) where he played the brother of Rory Calhoun and was billed as John Gilmore. His name was changed to John Gavin for the films Behind the High Wall (1956), Four Girls in Town (1957), and Quantez (also 1957). Gavin was meant to star in The Female Animal (1958) but was too busy on other projects and was replaced by George Nader.[11]

    Stardom: A Time to Love and a Time to Die

    Gavin's break was the lead in A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958), directed by Douglas Sirk from the novel by Erich Maria Remarque. His casting drew comparisons with the casting of the similarly inexperienced Lew Ayres in Universal's film version of All Quiet on the Western Front (1931).[12][13] Sirk cast Gavin for the young actor's inexperience, fresh looks, and earnest manner.[14] The film was not a success when it was released, although Gavin received praise for his performance.[14]

    A series of classic films

    Before A Time to Love and a Time to Die had been released, Gavin was cast by Douglas Sirk supporting Lana Turner in Imitation of Life (1959). Unlike A Time to Love and a Time to Die, this was a box-office success and Gavin was voted most promising male newcomer for his performance in the film by the Motion Picture Exhibitor.[15]

    John Gavin (center) with actresses Janet Leigh (right) and Vera Miles (left) in a publicity photo for Psycho (1960)
    Gavin in the 1964 TV series Destry

    Gavin appeared as Julius Caesar in Universal's epic Spartacus (1960) directed by Stanley Kubrick.[16] He was cast as Sam Loomis in the thriller Psycho (1960) for director Alfred Hitchcock. Gavin later claimed he was "terribly disturbed" by the sex and violence in Psycho, saying, "I think Hitch really got frosted with me."[14] Both films were successful, critically and commercially.

    Following the success of Imitation of Life, Gavin was often cast as the handsome opposite to leading ladies but as characters who were permitted little action.[17] He co-starred against Doris Day in the thriller Midnight Lace, Sophia Loren in the comedic A Breath of Scandal (both 1960),[14] Susan Hayward in the melodrama Back Street and with Sandra Dee in Romanoff and Juliet and Tammy Tell Me True (all 1961). Most of these films were produced by Ross Hunter. He appeared periodically on television in various anthology series. He was directed by a young William Friedkin in the episode 'Off Season', S3, Ep29 of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

    Gavin later claimed that he lacked training support from Universal during his early days there:

    When I walked through the gate, Universal quit building actors. All of a sudden I was doing leading roles. I knew I was a tyro but they told me to shut up and act. Some of those early roles were unactable. Even Laurence Olivier couldn't have done anything with them. The dialog included cardboard passages such as 'I love you. You can rely on me, darling. I'll wait.' It was all I could do to keep from adding, 'with egg on my face.'[18]

    Gavin disliked comparisons to Rock Hudson and in a 1960 interview said he considered quitting acting to take up law.[6] He left Universal in 1962. He signed to make several movies in Europe including The Assassins, The Challenge and Night Call.[17] However, he pulled out of The Assassins (which became Assassins of Rome (1965)), Night Call and The Challenge were never made.[19] In early 1964, he starred in the TV series Destry.[20] The series was not a ratings success and was cancelled.

    Return to Universal

    In September 1964, Gavin signed a new contract with Universal which gave him the option to take work outside the studio.[19] He appeared in the television series, Convoy, which was cancelled after a short run.[21] He appeared in Mexican film Pedro Páramo (1967), based on the novel by Juan Rulfo. His next role was that of Mary Tyler Moore's character's stuffy boyfriend in Universal's 1920s-era musical Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967). Gavin saw the role as an opportunity to parody his performances in Ross Hunter films.[9]

    In June 1966, Gavin signed a five-year non-exclusive contract with Universal.[22] He was cast in the lead in OSS 117 – Double Agent (1968), then titled No Roses for Robert, replacing Frederick Stafford who was filming Alfred Hitchcock's Topaz. He acted in supporting roles in The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969)[23] and Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You (1970), in which he parodied his own image.[24]

    James Bond

    Gavin was signed for the role of James Bond in the film Diamonds Are Forever (1971) after George Lazenby left the role.[25] However, David Picker, head of United Artists, wanted the box-office assurance of Sean Connery. Gavin's contract was honored despite losing the role to Connery. According to Roger Moore's James Bond Diary, Gavin was slated to play Bond in Live and Let Die (1973), but Harry Saltzman insisted on a British actor for the role and Moore was given the part.[26]

    Screen Actors Guild

    Gavin was on the board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in 1965. He served a term as third vice president and two terms as president from 1971 to 1973.[27] During his presidency Gavin testified before the Federal Trade Commission on phone talent rackets and met with President Richard Nixon to present the problem of excessive television reruns. He presented petitions to the federal government on the issues of prime-time access rules, legislative assistance for American motion pictures, and film production by the government using non-professional actors.[28]

    Gavin's presidency in the Screen Actors Guild came to an end when he was defeated by Dennis Weaver in 1973. Gavin was the first incumbent president to be defeated by an independent challenger.[29]

    Theatre

    Gavin made a foray into live theatre in the 1970s, showcasing his baritone voice. He toured the summer stock circuit as El Gallo in a production of The Fantasticks at the South Shore Music Circus twentieth anniversary summer season June 29-July 4, 1970 in Massachusetts.

    In 1973, Gavin replaced Ken Howard in the Broadway musical Seesaw opposite Michele Lee.[30] Gavin said he first turned down the musical because of his unhappiness with the quality of the book but reconsidered when Michael Bennett asked him to join the cast.[31] He played the role for seven months and toured the United States in the role with Lucie Arnaz. Both the Broadway and touring production were directed by Michael Bennett.[14]

    Later TV work

    In the early 1970s, Gavin played Akhenaten in the television movie Nefertiti y Aquenatos (1973) alongside Geraldine Chaplin and Salah Zulfikar. In the late 1970s, Gavin played Cary Grant in the television movie Sophia Loren: Her Own Story (1980).[32][33]

    Politics

    John Gavin with first ladies Paloma Cordero of Mexico (left) and Nancy Reagan of the United States (right) after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake.

    Gavin was cultural adviser to the Organization of American States from 1961 to 1965.[34]

    Ambassador to Mexico

    A Republican, Gavin was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico in June 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and served until June 1986.

    Business career

    In June 1986 following his work as ambassador to Mexico, Gavin became vice-president of Atlantic Richfield in federal and international relations. In 1987, he resigned to become president of Univisa Satellite Communications, a subsidiary of Univisa, the Spanish language broadcasting empire.[35][36]

    Gavin was president of Gamma Holdings, a global capital and consulting company which he helped found in 1968.[37] He became chairman of Gamma Services International in January 1990. He served on the boards of Causeway Capital, the Hotchkis & Wiley Funds, the TCW Strategic Income Fund, Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., DII Industries, LLC, Claxson Interactive Group Inc., Anvita, Inc., the Latin America Strategy Board at HM Capital Partners LLC, Apex Mortgage Capital Inc., Krause's Furniture, Inc., Atlantic Richfield Co., International Wire Holdings Company and International Wire Group Holdings, Inc. Gavin served as senior counselor to Hicks Trans American Partners (a division of Hicks Holdings) and managing director and partner of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst (Latin America) from 1994 to 2001. He was an independent trustee of Causeway International Value Fund.

    Gavin served on various pro bono boards, including UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management, Don Bosco Institute, the FEDCO Charitable Fund, the Hoover Institution, Loyola-Marymount University, the National Parks Foundation, Southwest Museum, the University of the Americas and Villanova Preparatory School.[38][39]

    Personal life

    Gavin married actress Cicely Evans in 1957. They had two children and lived in Beverly Hills.[40] The marriage ended in divorce in 1965. While making No Roses for Robert in Italy in 1967, Gavin dated co-star Luciana Paluzzi.[41]

    In 1974, Gavin married stage and television actress Constance Towers. The two were introduced at a party in 1957 by Gavin's godfather, Jimmy McHugh. Towers had two children from her previous marriage to Eugene McGrath. Gavin and Towers remained married until his death in 2018.[42]

    Death

    Gavin died of complications from pneumonia after a long battle with leukemia on February 9, 2018, at his home in Beverly Hills, California.[43][44]

    Filmography

    Film

    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1956Raw EdgeDan KirbyCredited as John Gilmore
    Behind the High WallJohnny HutchinsCredited as John Golenor[45]
    1957Four Girls in TownTom Grant[45]
    QuantezTeach[45]
    1958A Time to Love and a Time to DieErnst Graeber[45]
    1959Imitation of LifeSteve Archer[45]
    1960A Breath of ScandalCharlie Foster[45]
    PsychoSam Loomis[45]
    SpartacusJulius Caesar[45]
    Midnight LaceBrian Younger[45]
    1961Romanoff and JulietIgor Romanoff[45]
    Tammy Tell Me TrueThomas "Tom" Freeman[45]
    Back StreetPaul Saxon[45]
    1967Pedro PáramoPedro Páramo
    Thoroughly Modern MillieTrevor Graydon[45]
    1968OSS 117 – Double AgentHubert Bonisseur de la Bath[46]
    1969The Madwoman of ChaillotThe Reverend[45]
    1970Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love YouCharlie Harrison[45]
    1973Keep It in the FamilyRoy McDonald[47]
    1976House of ShadowsRoland Stewart[48]
    1978JenniferSenator Tremayne[45]
    1981History of the World, Part IMarche[45]

    Television

    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1960InsightThe PriestEpisode: "The Martyr"
    1962Alcoa PremiereWilliam FortnumEpisode: "The Jail"
    1963The Alfred Hitchcock HourDr. Don ReedSeason 1 Episode 31: "Run for Doom"
    1964DestryHarrison DestryMain role (13 episodes)[46]
    1964The VirginianCharles Boulanger / BakerEpisode: "Portrait of a Widow"[46]
    1964Kraft Suspense TheatreCarlosEpisode: "A Truce to Terror"
    1964Kraft Suspense TheatreTom ThreepersonsEpisode: "Threepersons"
    1965The Alfred Hitchcock HourJohnny KendallSeason 3 Episode 29: "Off Season"[46]
    1965ConvoyCommander Dan TalbotMain role (13 episodes)[46]
    1970Cutter's TrailBen CutterTelevision film
    1971The Doris Day ShowDr. ForbesEpisode: "Skiing Anyone?"
    1973Nefertiti y AquenatosAkhenatenTelevision film
    1973MannixArthur DanfordEpisode: "The Danford File"
    1974ABC Wide World of MysteryEpisode: "Hard Day at Blue Nose"
    1975The Lives of Jenny DolanOfficerTelevision film
    1976Medical CenterLt. Col. HallidayEpisode: "Major Annie, MD"
    1977The Love BoatDan BartonEpisode: "Silent Night"[46] S1 E11
    1978Fantasy IslandHarry KellinoEpisode: "Family Reunion"[46]
    1978Doctors' Private LivesDr. Jeffrey LatimerTelevision film[46]
    1978Flying HighSenator James SinclairEpisode: "South by Southwest"
    1978The New Adventures of HeidiDan WylerTelevision film
    1979Doctors' Private LivesDr. Jeffrey LatimerMain role (4 episodes)
    1980Sophia Loren: Her Own StoryCary GrantTelevision film
    1980Hart to HartCraig AbernathyEpisode: "Murder, Murder on the Wall"
    1981Fantasy IslandJack FosterEpisode: "Something Borrowed, Something Blue ..."[46]

    Theatre credits

    • The Fantastiks (1967) – Paper Mill Playhouse and The Cape Playhouse on Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1970
    • Seesaw (1974) with Lucie Arnaz – Broadway and tour

    Mr. Roberts (1968) - Paper Mill Playhouse

    References

    1. ↑ "PN179 - Nomination of John A. Gavin for Department of State, 97th Congress (1981-1982)". www.congress.gov. 5 May 1981. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
    2. ↑ Bergan, Ronald (February 14, 2018). "John Gavin obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
    3. ↑ Famous Celebrities Who Passed for White in Hollywood's Golden Age
    4. ↑ Elliott, Vicky (May 2018). "Double Role as Actor and Politician". Stanford Magazine. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
    5. ↑ Richard L. Coe (June 28, 1961). "An Artist Is at Work". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. p. B10.
    6. 1 2 Joe Finnigan (November 20, 1960). "False Rich-Boy Tag Perils Film Career, Gavin Claims". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. p. G3.
    7. ↑ Wise, James E. & Rehill, Anne Collier. Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services Naval Institute Press, pg. 265.
    8. ↑ Hopper, Hedda (July 20, 1958). "HE NEVER LEFT HOME: Los Angeles Native John Gavin Wanted No Part of Pictures, So Producers Beat a Path to His Door". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. F12.
    9. 1 2 Thomas, Kevin (June 2, 1966). "Gavin Gets Down to Business". Los Angeles Times. p. D-12.
    10. ↑ Scheuer, Philip K. (Feb 19, 1956). "Drama Arts: School for Future Stars Paying Off Handsomely". Los Angeles Times. p. D1.
    11. ↑ Thomas M. Pryor (May 17, 1957). "UNIVERSAL CASTS TWO IN NEW FILM: Jane Powell, George Nader to Appear in 'Female Animal' --Actor Replaces Gavin". The New York Times. p. 19.
    12. ↑ Schallert, Edwin (July 17, 1957). "John Gavin Wins Plum Remarque Role; Ford to Face 'Doomed World'". Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
    13. ↑ "Another War, Another New Star". Chicago Daily Tribune. June 29, 1958. p. l10.
    14. 1 2 3 4 5 Tom Donnelly (July 28, 1974). "John Gavin: One for the 'Seesaw': John Gavin: One for the 'Seesaw'". The Washington Post. p. L1.
    15. ↑ HOWARD THOMPSON (September 23, 1959). "MOVIE HOUSE HERE UNDER NEW SET-UP: Rugoff and Becker Chain to Join in Direction of the Paris -- Rights Bought". The New York Times. p. 44.
    16. ↑ Thomas M. Pryor (January 28, 1959). "MOVIE EXECUTIVE TO MAKE TV FILMS: Mervyn LeRoy Is Planning Series -- A.F.M. Local Head Vows Fight on Rival". The New York Times. p. 34.
    17. 1 2 Scheuer, Philip K. (February 1, 1963). "Gavin Will Embark on Adventurous Life: News From Unsunny Spain; 'Nevada Smith' a Follow-up". p. D-9.
    18. ↑ Harford, Margaret (July 13, 1967). "Gavin Breaks the Mold: GAVIN". Los Angeles Times. p. C-1.
    19. 1 2 Hopper, Hedda (September 25, 1964). "Looking at Hollywood: John Gavin Signs Pact to Do Outside Films, TV". Chicago Tribune. p. C-11.
    20. ↑ Zylstra, Freida (February 14, 1964). "Salad Maker Makes Debut in New TV Series Tonight". Chicago Tribune. p. B-9.
    21. ↑ Finnigan, Joseph (December 31, 1964). "Millions Utilized on Pilots for New Season". Los Angeles Times. p. B15.
    22. ↑ Martin, Betty (June 3, 1966). "Gavin Signs Universal Pact". Los Angeles Times. p. D-12.
    23. ↑ Martin, Betty (February 9, 1968). "MOVIE CALL SHEET: John Gavin Set for Role". Los Angeles Times. p. C-15.
    24. ↑ Thomas, Kevin (March 27, 1970). "'Pussycat, Pussycat' Opens Multiple Run". Los Angeles Times. p. F-15.
    25. ↑ Page, Eleanor (January 30, 1971). "Paging People: A Stylish Benefit". Chicago Tribune. p. n14.
    26. ↑ Wood, Thomas (November 26, 1972). "Movie's: Search Over---Roger Moore the New James Bond The New Bond". Los Angeles Times. p. S-32.
    27. ↑ John Gavin profile, sagaftra.org. Accessed April 26, 2022.
    28. ↑ "John Gavin biography". Screen Actors Guild. sagaftra.org.
    29. ↑ Zyda, Joan (September 26, 1973). "Dennis Weaver Seeks Actor Guild Presidency". Los Angeles Times. p. C1.
    30. ↑ Gold, Aaron (May 30, 1973). "Tower Ticker". Chicago Tribune. p. B-2.
    31. ↑ Drake, Sylvie (September 1, 1974). "Will They Love Lucie, Too?: More Stage News". Los Angeles Times. p. M-31.
    32. ↑ Mann, Roderick (July 1, 1980). "GAVIN AS GRANT: A TEST OF TASTE". Los Angeles Times. p. G-1.
    33. ↑ "Nefertiti y Aquenatos (TV Short 1973)", IMDb, retrieved 2022-04-03
    34. ↑ Bustamante, Jorge (March 6, 1981). "Gavin's Selection: a Slap in Mexico's Face". Los Angeles Times. p. C-7.
    35. ↑ Nancy Brooks (28 April 1987). "Gavin Leaving Arco to Take Post at Univisa". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
    36. ↑ Daniel F. Cuff and Stephen Phillips (April 28, 1987). "BUSINESS PEOPLE; Gavin Quits ARCO For Univisa Satellite". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
    37. ↑ John Gavin Archived 2015-04-11 at the Wayback Machine at Biography.com
    38. ↑ John Gavin biography Archived 2017-11-07 at the Wayback Machine at Americanambassadors.org
    39. ↑ Biography, Business Week; accessed November 30, 2014.
    40. ↑ Vernon, Scott (March 28, 1965). "A Look at John Gavin at Home". Chicago Tribune. p. d9.
    41. ↑ The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah), February 26, 1968, pg. 17
    42. ↑ "John Gavin Is Our Man in Mexico and Constance Towers Is His Woman in the (TV) Capitol".
    43. ↑ Obituary, mirror.co.uk. Accessed April 26, 2022.
    44. ↑ McFadden, Robert D. (February 9, 2018). "John Gavin, Actor and Ambassador to Mexico Under Reagan, Dies at 86". NY Times.
    45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Filmography for John Gavin". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
    46. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "John Gavin List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
    47. ↑ "Keep it in the Family". Cinepix. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
    48. ↑ "House of Shadows (La casa de las sombras) (1976)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
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