John Gavin
Known for
An American actor with the tall, clean-cut looks of a classic leading man, best known as Sam Loomis, Marion Crane's lover, in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' (1960). He also starred in Stanley Kubrick's 'Spartacus' (1960) as Julius Caesar and in Douglas Sirk's melodrama 'Imitation of Life' (1959). He later left acting for public life, serving as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and as president of the Screen Actors Guild. Handsome and steady on screen, he embodied the wholesome male lead of his era. He died in 2018, remembered as an American actor and public servant.
John Gavin
21 Movies
5 Series
An American actor with the tall, clean-cut looks of a classic leading man, best known as Sam Loomis, Marion Crane's lover, in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' (1960). He also starred in Stanley Kubrick's 'Spartacus' (1960) as Julius Caesar and in Douglas Sirk's melodrama 'Imitation of Life' (1959). He later left acting for public life, serving as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and as president of the Screen Actors Guild. Handsome and steady on screen, he embodied the wholesome male lead of his era. He died in 2018, remembered as an American actor and public servant.
Movies
Plays Sam Loomis
Psycho
1960
Plays Julius Caesar
Spartacus
1960
Plays Steve Archer
Imitation of Life
1959
Plays Charlie Harrison (Grant Granite)
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
1970
Plays Brian Younger
Midnight Lace
1960
Plays Trevor Graydon
Thoroughly Modern Millie
1967
Plays The Reverend
The Madwoman of Chaillot
1969
Plays Teach
Quantez
1957
Plays Ernst Graeber
A Time to Love and a Time to Die
1958
Plays Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath
OSS 117 Murder for Sale
1968
Plays Pedro Páramo
Pedro Paramo
1967
Plays Paul Saxon
Back Street
1961
Plays Charles Foster
A Breath of Scandal
1960
Plays Thomas 'Tom' Freeman
Tammy Tell Me True
1961
Plays Senator Tremayne
Jennifer
1978
Plays Ben Cutter
Cutter's Trail
1970
Plays Igor Romanoff
Romanoff and Juliet
1961
Plays Johnny Hutchins
Behind the High Wall
1956
Plays Tom Grant
Four Girls in Town
1957
Plays Roland Stewart
House of Shadows
1976
Plays Roy McDonald
Keep It in the Family
1973
Latest Trailers
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Jennifer
Full Filmography
Fantasy Island
Harry Kellino · 1 episode
1978
TV
Jennifer
Senator Tremayne
1978
Film
The Love Boat
Dan Barton · 1 episode
1977
TV
House of Shadows
Roland Stewart
1976
Film
Keep It in the Family
Roy McDonald
1973
Film
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
Charlie Harrison (Grant Granite)
1970
Film
The Madwoman of Chaillot
The Reverend
1969
Film
OSS 117 Murder for Sale
Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath
1968
Film
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Trevor Graydon
1967
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Gavin still alive?
John Gavin passed away on February 9, 2018 at age 86.
What are the most famous roles of John Gavin?
John Gavin is best known for roles in Psycho, Spartacus, Imitation of Life.
How many movies has John Gavin been in?
Over a 62-year career (since 1956), John Gavin has appeared in 21 movies and 5 TV shows.
What was John Gavin's first movie?
The career of John Gavin began with Raw Edge (1956).
What is John Gavin's most recent movie or series?
John Gavin's most recent release is True Fear: The Making of Psycho, which premiered on October 29, 2015.
What TV shows has John Gavin appeared in?
On television, John Gavin has appeared in The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, Fantasy Island, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
John Gavin
1931-04-08 · Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
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.