Nook NotesPick a film
John Gavin

Actor

John Gavin

Born April 8, 1931 in Los Angeles, California, USADied February 9, 201828 films

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.

Read more

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.

Start here

The best way into John Gavin's work
Psycho posterFirst watchPsycho19608.4as Sam LoomisWhen larcenous real estate clerk Marion Crane goes on the lam with a wad of cash and hopes of starting a new life, she ends up at the notorious Bates Motel, where manager Norman Bates…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Spartacus poster7.5Spartacus1960Imitation of Life poster7.4Imitation of Life1959A Time to Love and a Time to Die poster7.2A Time to Love and a Time to Die1958Midnight Lace poster6.6Midnight Lace1960Thoroughly Modern Millie poster6.8Thoroughly Modern Millie1967

Filmography

28 films as actor
  1. 1980Sophia Loren: Her Own StoryCary Grant
  2. 1978The New Adventures of HeidiDan Wyler
  3. 1978JenniferSenator Tremayne
  4. 1978Doctors' Private LivesDr. Jeffrey Latimer
  5. 1976House of ShadowsRoland Stewart
  6. 1974Hard Day at Blue Nose
  7. 1973Nefertiti and AkhenatenAkhenaten
  8. 1973Keep It in the FamilyRoy McDonald
  9. 1970Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love YouCharlie Harrison (Grant Granite)
  10. 1970Cutter's TrailBen Cutter
  11. 1969The Madwoman of ChaillotThe Reverend
  12. 1968OSS 117 Murder for SaleHubert Bonisseur de La Bath
  13. 1967Thoroughly Modern MillieTrevor Graydon
  14. 1967Pedro ParamoPedro Páramo
  15. 1964The Solid Gold GirlHarrison Destry
  16. 1961Back StreetPaul Saxon
  17. 1961Tammy Tell Me TrueThomas 'Tom' Freeman
  18. 1961Romanoff and JulietIgor Romanoff
  19. 1960SpartacusJulius Caesar
  20. 1960Midnight LaceBrian Younger
  21. 1960PsychoSam Loomis
  22. 1960A Breath of ScandalCharles Foster
  23. 1959Imitation of LifeSteve Archer
  24. 1958A Time to Love and a Time to DieErnst Graeber
  25. 1957QuantezTeach
  26. 1957Four Girls in TownTom Grant
  27. 1956Behind the High WallJohnny Hutchins
  28. 1956Raw EdgeDan Kirby (as John Gilmore)