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{{Short description|American actor (1931–2018)}}
{{otherpeople}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = John Gavin
| image = John Gavin Destry 1964.JPG
| caption = Gavin in ''[[Destry (TV series)|Destry]]'' (1964)
| birthname = Juan Vincent Apablasa
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1931|4|8|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|2|9|1931|4|8|mf=y}}
| death_place = [[Beverly Hills, California]], U.S.
| alma_mater = [[Stanford University]]
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Cecily Evans|1957|1965|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Constance Towers]]|1974}}
}}
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]
| children = 2 
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|diplomat}}
| country4 = Mexico
| ambassador_from4 = United States
| term_start4 = June 5, 1981
| term_end4 = June 10, 1986
| predecessor4 = [[Julian Nava]]
| successor4 = [[Charles J. Pilliod Jr.]]
| president4 = [[Ronald Reagan]]
| office5 = President of the [[Screen Actors Guild]]
| term_start5 = 1971
| term_end5 = 1973
| predecessor5 = [[Charlton Heston]]
| successor5 = [[Dennis Weaver]]
| branch = [[United States Navy]]
| serviceyears = 1951–1955
| rank = [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]]
| battles = [[Korean 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]] (1971–1973), and the [[United States Ambassador to Mexico]] (1981–1986).<ref>{{cite web |title=PN179 - Nomination of John A. Gavin for Department of State, 97th Congress (1981-1982) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/97th-congress/179?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22john+gavin%22%2C%22john%22%2C%22gavin%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1 |website=www.congress.gov |access-date=25 August 2022 |date=5 May 1981}}</ref> Among the films he appeared in were ''[[A Time to Love and a Time to Die]]'' (1958), ''[[Imitation of Life (1959 film)|Imitation of Life]]'' (1959), ''[[Spartacus (film)|Spartacus]]'' (1960), ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' (1960), ''[[Midnight Lace]]'' (1960) and ''[[Thoroughly Modern Millie]]'' (1967), playing leading roles for producer [[Ross Hunter]].

==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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/14/john-gavin-obituary|title=John Gavin obituary|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|last=Bergan|first=Ronald|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=April 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://www.liveabout.com/hollywood-celebrities-who-passed-for-white-2834730 Famous Celebrities Who Passed for White in Hollywood's Golden Age]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://stanfordmag.org/contents/double-role-as-actor-and-politician|title=Double Role as Actor and Politician|magazine=Stanford Magazine|last=Elliott|first=Vicky|date=May 2018|access-date=April 26, 2021}}</ref>

After attending Roman Catholic schools, St. John's Military Academy (Los Angeles), and [[Villanova Preparatory School|Villanova Preparatory]] (Ojai, California), he earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in [[economics]] degree and Latin American affairs{{Citation needed |date=January 2025}} from [[Stanford University]], where he was in the [[Navy ROTC]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Stanford Grad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-john-gavin/163254014/ |access-date=January 17, 2025 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 12, 1965 |page=2 J|via = [[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref> did senior honors work in Latin American economic history, and was a member of [[Chi Psi]] fraternity.{{cn|date=April 2022}}

===Military service===
During the [[Korean War]], Gavin was commissioned in the [[U.S. Navy]] serving aboard the {{USS|Princeton|CV-37|6}} 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 [[1954 Atlantic hurricane season|the Honduras floods of 1954]].<ref>{{cite news|title=An Artist Is at Work|author=Richard L. Coe|work=The Washington Post and Times-Herald|date=June 28, 1961|page=B 10}}</ref>

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.<ref name="joe">{{cite news|title=False Rich-Boy Tag Perils Film Career, Gavin Claims|author=Joe Finnigan|work=The Washington Post and Times-Herald |date=November 20, 1960|page=G 3}}</ref>

==Career==
===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 Pictures|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.<ref name="starsinblue">Wise, James E. & Rehill, Anne Collier. ''Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services'' Naval Institute Press, pg. 265.</ref><ref name="hedda">{{cite news|title=He Never Left Home: Los Angeles Native John Gavin Wanted No Part of Pictures, So Producers Beat a Path to His Door|first=Hedda|last=Hopper|authorlink=Hedda Hopper|work=[[Chicago Daily Tribune]]|date=July 20, 1958|page=F 12}}</ref> "They offered me so much money I couldn't resist", he said later.<ref name="kevin">{{cite news|title=Gavin Gets Down to Business|author=Thomas, Kevin|date=June 2, 1966|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D 12}}</ref>

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 (actor)|Grant Williams]], [[Gia Scala]] and [[John Saxon]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Drama Arts: School for Future Stars Paying Off Handsomely|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|date=Feb 19, 1956|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D 1}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Universal Casts Two in New Film: Jane Powell, George Nader to Appear in 'Female Animal' --Actor Replaces Gavin|author=Thomas M. Pryor|work=The New York Times|date=May 17, 1957|page=19}}</ref>

===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).<ref>{{cite news|title=John Gavin Wins Plum Remarque Role; Ford to Face 'Doomed World'|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 17, 1957|page=23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Another War, Another New Star|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=June 29, 1958|page=L 10}}</ref> Sirk cast Gavin for the young actor's inexperience, fresh looks, and earnest manner.<ref name="washington"/> The film was not a success when it was released, although Gavin received praise for his performance.<ref name="washington"/>

===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 film)|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''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Movie House Here Under New Set-Up: Rugoff and Becker Chain to Join in Direction of the Paris -- Rights Bought|author=Howard Thompson|work=The New York Times|date=September 23, 1959|page=44}}</ref>

[[File:Miles, Gavin & Leigh Psycho still.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Gavin with actresses [[Vera Miles]] (left) and [[Janet Leigh]] (right) in a publicity photo for ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' (1960)]]
[[File:1964 Destry John Gavin.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Gavin in the 1964 TV series ''[[Destry (TV series)|Destry]]'']]
Gavin appeared as [[Julius Caesar]] in Universal's epic ''[[Spartacus (film)|Spartacus]]'' (1960) directed by [[Stanley Kubrick]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Movie Executive to Make TV Films: Mervyn LeRoy Is Planning Series -- A.F.M. Local Head Vows Fight on Rival|author=Thomas M. Pryor|work=The New York Times|date=January 28, 1959|page=34}}</ref> He was cast as Sam Loomis in the thriller ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|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."<ref name="washington"/> 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.<ref name="la"/> He co-starred against [[Doris Day]] in the thriller ''[[Midnight Lace]]'', [[Sophia Loren]] in the comedic ''[[A Breath of Scandal]]'' (both 1960),<ref name="washington">{{cite news|title=John Gavin: One for the 'Seesaw' |author=Tom Donnelly|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 28, 1974|page=L 1}}</ref> [[Susan Hayward]] in the melodrama ''[[Back Street (1961 film)|Back Street]]'' and with [[Sandra Dee]] in ''[[Romanoff and Juliet (1961 film)|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" (season 10, episode 29) of ''[[The Alfred Hitchcock Hour]]''.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}

Gavin later claimed that he lacked training support from Universal during his early days there:<blockquote>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."<ref name="mold">{{cite news|title=Gavin Breaks the Mold: Gavin|author=Harford, Margaret|date=July 13, 1967|work=Los Angeles Times|page=C 1}}</ref></blockquote>

Gavin disliked comparisons to Rock Hudson and in a 1960 interview said he considered quitting acting to take up law.<ref name="joe" /> He left Universal in 1962. He signed to make several movies in Europe including ''The Assassins'', ''The Challenge'', and ''Night Call''.<ref name="la">{{cite news|title=Gavin Will Embark on Adventurous Life: News From Unsunny Spain; 'Nevada Smith' a Follow-up|last=Scheuer|first=Philip K.|date=February 1, 1963|page=D 9}}</ref> However, he pulled out of ''The Assassins'' (which became ''[[Assassins of Rome]]'' (1965)). ''Night Call'' and ''The Challenge'' were never made.<ref name="hopper">{{cite news|title=Looking at Hollywood: John Gavin Signs Pact to Do Outside Films, TV|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 25, 1964|page=C 11}}</ref> In early 1964, he starred in the TV series ''[[Destry (TV series)|Destry]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salad Maker Makes Debut in New TV Series Tonight|author=Zylstra, Freida|work= Chicago Tribune|date=February 14, 1964|page=B 9}}</ref> 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.<ref name="hopper"/> He appeared in the television series, ''[[Convoy (TV series)|Convoy]]'', which was cancelled after a short run.<ref>{{cite news|title=Millions Utilized on Pilots for New Season|author=Finnigan, Joseph|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 31, 1964|page=B 15}}</ref> He appeared in the Mexican film ''[[Pedro Páramo (1967 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.<ref name="kevin" />

In June 1966, Gavin signed a five-year non-exclusive contract with Universal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gavin Signs Universal Pact|author=Martin, Betty|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 3, 1966|page=D 12}}</ref> 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 (1969 film)|Topaz]].'' He acted in supporting roles in ''[[The Madwoman of Chaillot (film)|The Madwoman of Chaillot]]'' (1969)<ref>{{cite news|title=Movie Call Sheet: John Gavin Set for Role|author=Martin, Betty|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 9, 1968|page=C 15}}</ref> and ''[[Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You]]'' (1970), in which he parodied his own image.<ref>{{cite news|title='Pussycat, Pussycat' Opens Multiple Run|author=Thomas, Kevin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 27, 1970|page=F 15}}</ref>

===James Bond===
Gavin was signed for the role of [[James Bond]] in the film ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (film)|Diamonds Are Forever]]'' (1971) after [[George Lazenby]] left the role.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paging People: A Stylish Benefit|author=Page, Eleanor|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 30, 1971|page=N 14}}</ref> 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 (film)|Live and Let Die]]'' (1973), but [[Harry Saltzman]] insisted on a British actor for the role and Moore was given the part.<ref>{{cite news|title=Movie's: Search Over---Roger Moore the New James Bond The New Bond|author=Wood, Thomas|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 26, 1972|page=S 32}}</ref>

===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.<ref>[https://www.sagaftra.org/john-gavin John Gavin profile], sagaftra.org. Accessed April 26, 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/john-gavin-dies-psycho-spartacus-actor-86-1202283770/ | title=John Gavin Dies: 'Psycho' & 'Spartacus' Actor and Former SAG President Was 86 | date=9 February 2018 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="John Gavin biography">{{cite news|title=John Gavin biography|url=http://www.sagaftra.org/john-gavin|publisher=[[Screen Actors Guild]]|agency=sagaftra.org}}</ref>

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.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news|title=Dennis Weaver Seeks Actor Guild Presidency|author=Zyda, Joan|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 26, 1973|page=C 1}}</ref>

===Theatre===
Gavin made a foray into live theater 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&nbsp;- July 4, 1970, in Massachusetts.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}

In 1973, Gavin replaced [[Ken Howard]] in the Broadway musical ''[[Seesaw (musical)|Seesaw]]'' opposite [[Michele Lee]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tower Ticker|author=Gold, Aaron|work= Chicago Tribune|date=May 30, 1973|page=B 2}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Will They Love Lucie, Too?: More Stage News|author=Drake, Sylvie|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 1, 1974|page=M 31}}</ref> 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 (theater)|Michael Bennett]].<ref name="washington"/>

===Later TV work===
In 1973, Gavin played [[Akhenaten]] in the television movie ''[[Nefertiti y Aquenatos]]'' alongside [[Geraldine Chaplin]] and [[Salah Zulfikar]]. In 1980, Gavin played [[Cary Grant]] in the television movie ''[[Sophia Loren: Her Own Story]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gavin As Grant: A Test of Taste|author=Mann, Roderick|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 1, 1980|page=G 1}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Nefertiti y Aquenatos (TV Short 1973) |work=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0330689/ |language=en-US |access-date=2022-04-03}}</ref> He guest-starred on ''[[Mannix]]'', ''[[The Love Boat]]'', ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]'', ''[[Hart to Hart]]'' and ''[[Fantasy Island]]''.

==Politics==
[[File:Paloma Cordero Nancy Reagan Mexico City 1985 earthquake.jpg|right|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gavin's Selection: a Slap in Mexico's Face|author=Bustamante, Jorge|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 6, 1981|page=C 7}}</ref>

===Ambassador to Mexico===
A [[U.S. Republican Party|Republican]], Gavin was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico in June 1981 by President [[Ronald Reagan]]. He met with opposition political parties while being a key defender of the President's anti-communist policies within Central America, which he received attention and scrutiny for. Gavin served until June 1986, when he resigned to go back to private life.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/04/07/John-Gavin-US-ambassador-to-Mexico-resigns/4923513234000/ | title=John Gavin, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico resigns - UPI Archives }}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite news|author=Nancy Brooks|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-04-28-fi-2165-story.html|title=Gavin Leaving Arco to Take Post at Univisa|work=Los Angeles Times|date=28 April 1987|access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/28/business/business-people-gavin-quits-arco-for-univisa-satellite.html|title=Business People; Gavin Quits ARCO For Univisa Satellite|author=Daniel F. Cuff and Stephen Phillips|work=The New York Times|date=April 28, 1987|access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref>

Gavin was president of Gamma Holdings, a global capital and consulting company which he helped found in 1968.<ref>[http://www.biography.com/people/john-gavin-20964749#businessman John Gavin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411000901/http://www.biography.com/people/john-gavin-20964749#businessman |date=2015-04-11 }} at Biography.com</ref> 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.{{cn|date=April 2022}} 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.{{cn|date=April 2022}}

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.<ref>[http://www.americanambassadors.org/members/john-a-gavin John Gavin biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012002/http://www.americanambassadors.org/members/john-a-gavin |date=2017-11-07 }} at Americanambassadors.org</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20141130091053/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=79878&ticker=21029&previousCapId=21029&previousTitle=Claxson Biography], ''Business Week''; accessed November 30, 2014.</ref>

==Personal life==
Gavin was married to Cicely Evans from 1957 until their divorce in 1965. They had two daughters.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Look at John Gavin at Home|author=Vernon, Scott|work=Chicago Tribune |date=March 28, 1965|page=D 9}}</ref> While making ''No Roses for OSS 117'' in Italy in 1967, Gavin dated co-star [[Luciana Paluzzi]].<ref>''The Daily Herald'' (Provo, Utah), February 26, 1968, pg. 17</ref>

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.<ref name=people>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20085787,00.html|title=John Gavin Is Our Man in Mexico and Constance Towers Is His Woman in the (TV) Capitol}}</ref>

==Death==
Gavin died of complications from [[pneumonia]] after a long battle with [[leukemia]] on February 9, 2018, at his home in Beverly Hills.<ref>[https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/psycho-star-john-gavin-dead-12001087 Obituary], mirror.co.uk. Accessed April 26, 2022.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/obituaries/john-gavin-actor-and-ambassador-to-mexico-under-reagan-dies-at-86.html|title=John Gavin, Actor and Ambassador to Mexico Under Reagan, Dies at 86|first=Robert D.|last=McFadden|date=February 9, 2018|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1956 || ''[[Raw Edge]]'' || Dan Kirby || Credited as John Gilmore
|-
| ''[[Behind the High Wall]]'' || Johnny Hutchins || Credited as John Golenor<ref name="TCM">{{cite web|title=Filmography for John Gavin|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/69387%7C85764/john-gavin#filmography|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=February 9, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1957 || ''[[Four Girls in Town]]'' || Tom Grant ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| ''[[Quantez]]'' || Teach ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| 1958 || ''[[A Time to Love and a Time to Die]]'' || Ernst Graeber ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Imitation of Life (1959 film)|Imitation of Life]]'' || Steve Archer ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| rowspan=4 | 1960 || ''[[A Breath of Scandal]]'' || Charlie Foster ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' || Sam Loomis ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| ''[[Spartacus (film)|Spartacus]]'' || [[Julius Caesar]] ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| ''[[Midnight Lace]]'' || Brian Younger ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1961 || ''[[Romanoff and Juliet (1961 film)|Romanoff and Juliet]]'' || Igor Romanoff ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| ''[[Tammy Tell Me True]]'' || Thomas "Tom" Freeman ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| ''[[Back Street (1961 film)|Back Street]]'' || Paul Saxon ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1967 || ''[[Pedro Páramo (1967 film)|Pedro Páramo]]'' || Pedro Páramo ||
|-
| ''[[Thoroughly Modern Millie]]'' || Trevor Graydon ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| 1968 || ''[[OSS 117 – Double Agent]]'' || [[OSS 117|Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath]] || <ref name="TV Guide">{{cite web|title=John Gavin List of Movies and TV Shows|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/john-gavin/credits/157957/|magazine=TV Guide|access-date=9 February 2018}}</ref>
|-
| 1969 || ''[[The Madwoman of Chaillot (film)|The Madwoman of Chaillot]]'' || The Reverend ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You]]'' || Charlie Harrison ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Keep It in the Family (film)|Keep It in the Family]]'' || Roy McDonald ||<ref>{{cite web|title=Keep it in the Family|url=http://www.cinepix.ca/en/film/keep-it-in-the-family/|website=Cinepix|access-date=9 February 2018}}</ref>
|-
| 1976 || ''[[La casa de las sombras|House of Shadows]]'' || Roland Stewart ||<ref>{{cite web|title=House of Shadows (La casa de las sombras) (1976)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/house_of_shadows_1970/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=9 February 2018}}</ref>
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Jennifer (1978 film)|Jennifer]]'' || Senator Tremayne ||<ref name="TCM" />
|-
| 1981 || ''[[History of the World, Part I]]'' || Marche ||<ref name="TCM" />
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Insight (American TV series)|Insight]]'' || The Priest || Episode: "The Martyr"
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Alcoa Premiere]]'' || William Fortnum || Episode: "The Jail"
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents|The Alfred Hitchcock Hour]]'' || Dr. Don Reed || Season 1 Episode 31: "Run for Doom"
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Destry (TV series)|Destry]]'' || Harrison Destry || Main role (13 episodes)<ref name="TV Guide" />
|-
| 1964 || ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' || Charles Boulanger / Baker || Episode: "Portrait of a Widow"<ref name="TV Guide" />
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Kraft Suspense Theatre]]'' || Carlos || Episode: "A Truce to Terror"
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Kraft Suspense Theatre]]'' || Tom Threepersons || Episode: "Threepersons"
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents|The Alfred Hitchcock Hour]]'' || Johnny Kendall || Season 3 Episode 29: "Off Season"<ref name="TV Guide" />
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Convoy (TV series)|Convoy]]'' || Commander Dan Talbot || Main role (13 episodes)<ref name="TV Guide" />
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Cutter's Trail]]'' || Ben Cutter || Television film
|-
| 1971 || ''[[The Doris Day Show]]'' || Dr. Forbes || Episode: "Skiing Anyone?"
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Nefertiti y Aquenatos]]'' || [[Akhenaten]] || Television film
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Mannix]]'' || Arthur Danford || Episode: "The Danford File"
|-
| 1974 || ''[[ABC's Wide World of Entertainment|ABC Wide World of Mystery]]'' || || Episode: "Hard Day at Blue Nose"
|-
| 1975 || ''[[The Lives of Jenny Dolan]]'' || Officer || Television film
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]'' || Lieutenant Colonel Halliday || Episode: "Major Annie, MD"
|-
| 1977 || ''[[The Love Boat]]'' || Dan Barton || Episode: "Silent Night"<ref name="TV Guide" /> S1 E11
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Fantasy Island]]'' || Harry Kellino || Episode: "Family Reunion"<ref name="TV Guide" />
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Doctors' Private Lives]]'' || Dr. Jeffrey Latimer || Television film<ref name="TV Guide" />
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Flying High (TV series)|Flying High]]'' || Senator James Sinclair || Episode: "South by Southwest"
|-
| 1978 || ''[[The New Adventures of Heidi]]'' || Dan Wyler || Television film
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Doctors' Private Lives#TV miniseries|Doctors' Private Lives]]'' || Dr. Jeffrey Latimer || Main role (4 episodes)
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Sophia Loren: Her Own Story]]'' || [[Cary Grant]] || Television film
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Hart to Hart]]'' || Craig Abernathy || Episode: "Murder, Murder on the Wall"
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Fantasy Island]]'' || Jack Foster || Episode: "Something Borrowed, Something Blue ..."<ref name="TV Guide" />
|}

===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==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|John Gavin}}
* {{IMDb name|1260}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{discogs artist|John Gavin}}
* [http://www.meredy.com/johngavin/ John Gavin – So Suave] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125224114/http://meredy.com/johngavin/ |date=2010-11-25 }}
* {{C-SPAN|28741}}

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{{succession box |title=[[U.S. Ambassador to Mexico]] | before=[[Julian Nava]] | after=[[Charles J. Pilliod, Jr.]] | years= 1981–1986}}
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{{Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year Actor}}
{{SAG Presidents}}
{{US Ambassadors to Mexico}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gavin, John}}
[[Category:1931 births]]
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[[Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles]] 
[[Category:American actor-politicians]]
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[[Category:American male film actors]]
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[[Category:Presidents of the Screen Actors Guild]]
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[[Category:New Star of the Year (Actor) Golden Globe winners]]