John McGiver
(1913 - 1975)Owlish looking, pudgy and bald with a soft and smooth voice he was a likable, scene-stealing actor. Most often he played businessmen, managers and executive types. He was born on November 5, 1913 in New York City. He was educated at Fordham University where he received a BA. He started out as a teacher in the Bronx, New York and fought with the 7th Armored Div. during World War II. Later, after appearances in Off-Broadway productions he decided upon an acting career. He worked on the Broadway stage and in television and made his film debut in "Love in the Afternoon" (1956) as Monsieur X. His other film credits include: "Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot" (1956) as 1st Planter; "Once Upon A Horse" (1958) as Mr. Tharp; "I Married a Woman" (1958) as Girard; "The Gazebo" (1959) as Sam Thorpe; "Bachelor in Paradise" (1961) as Austin Palfrey; "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) with Audrey Hepburn, as Tiffany's Salesman; "Love in a Goldfish Bowl" (1961) as Dr. Frowley; "Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation" (1962) as Mr. Turner; "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) as Sen. Thomas Jordon; "Johnny Cool" (1963) as Oby Hinds; "Take Her, She's Mine" (1963) as Hector G. Ivor; "Who's Minding the Store?" (1963) as Mr. Tuttle; "My Six Loves" (1963) as Judge Harris; Man's Favorite Sport?" (1964) as William Cadwalader; "A Global Affair" (1964) as Mr. Snifter; "Made in Paris" (1966) As Roger Barclay; "The Glass Bottom Boat" (1966) as Ralph Goodwin; "Fitzwilly" (1967) as Albert; "Midnight Cowboy" with Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman (1969) as Mr. O'Daniel; "Lawman" (1971) as Mayor Sam Bolden; "Mame" (1974) as Mr. Babcock and "The Apple Dumpling Gang" (1975) as Leonard Sharpe. On TV he was a regular on "The Patty Duke Show" (1963-64) as J.R. Castle; "Many Happy Returns" (1964-65) with Jesslyn Fax as Walter Burnley, a nicely done role; "Mr. Terrific" (1967) as Barton J. Reed and "The Jimmy Stewart Show" (1971-72) as Dr. Luther Quince. He also appeared a guest on many series including: "Playhouse 90"; "The Rogues"; "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"; "The Wild, Wild West"; "The Fugitive"; "Twilight Zone"; "Bewitched" and "Alias Smith and Jones." He appeared in the first of the "Do You Know Me..." TV commercials for American Express. He was married to Ruth Schmigelsky and had 10 children. He died of a heart attack on September 9, 1975 in West Fulton, New York at age 61.
From Great Character Actors, Page 3.
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