John Alvin
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 24, 1917
- Died
- February 27, 2009
- Birthplace
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
John Alvin, born John Alvin Hoffstadt was an American film, stage and television actor. Alvin was signed with Warner Brothers Studios for an exclusive four-year contract during the World War II era, although he was "borrowed" by 20th Century Fox to appear in 1944's Oscar-nominated The Fighting Sullivans. He appeared in more than 25 Warner Brothers films during this time, including Northern Pursuit (which starred Errol Flynn), The Beast with Five Fingers, The Very Thought of You, and Objective, Burma!. His pictures after the contract period included Irma la Douce, Inside Daisy Clover, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, and Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie. However, it was his role in the 1943 film Destination Tokyo, in which he co-starred with John Garfield and Cary Grant, that left the largest impression on Alvin. Years later, in a 2006 interview, Alvin credited Grant with having a major impact on his career path: "I learned more about show business from him than from anyone. He was very attentive and helpful." Alvin later enjoyed a separate television career, which spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s. His television credits included various roles on Leave It to Beaver, All in the Family, Lou Grant, Dragnet, General Hospital, Murder, She Wrote, Starsky and Hutch, The Incredible Hulk and I Spy. Alvin's also appeared in numerous television commercials advertising for such products as Mattel, H&R Block, McDonald's, Porsche and Audi. Alvin's theater repertoire included Send Me No Flowers, The Student Prince, The Chicago Conspiracy Trial and The Cradle Will Rock. He also appeared in a production of Rain, which was directed by Charlie Chaplin. He largely retired from acting in the 1990s; his final film appearance was in 1994's Milk Money. During his retirement, Alvin often showed his movies for audiences at the Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, an organization for senior citizens based in Thousand Oaks, California.
Filmography
Milk Money 1994
as Rich Old Guy
Return to Green Acres 1990
as E. Wilfred
Dennis the Menace 1987
as Mr. Bonfigli
Passions 1984
as Minister
Somewhere in Time 1980
as Arthur's Father
Crackle of Death 1976
Actor
The Quest: The Longest Drive 1976
as Aames
The Legend of Lizzie Borden 1975
as Dr. Draper
The Organization 1971
as Forensic Officer (uncredited)
Sweet, Sweet Rachel 1971
as Surgeon
They Call Me Mister Tibbs! 1970
as Reporter (uncredited)
The Legend of Lylah Clare 1968
as Accountant (uncredited)
Marnie 1964
as Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)
Irma la Douce 1963
as Customer #2
Kentucky Rifle 1956
as Luke Thomas
Illegal 1955
as Court Clerk (uncredited)
The McConnell Story 1955
as Johnny
A Bullet for Joey 1955
as Constable Dan Percy (uncredited)
Deep in My Heart 1954
as Mr. Mulvaney (uncredited)
The Shanghai Story 1954
as John Warren
Torpedo Alley 1953
as Professor
April in Paris 1952
as Tracy
The Iron Mistress 1952
as Impatient Man in Tailor's Shop
Carrie 1952
as Stage Manager
The Unknown Man 1951
as Photographer (uncredited)
Come Fill the Cup 1951
as Travis Ashbourne - Reporter
Missing Women 1951
as Eddie Ennis
The Breaking Point 1950
as Reporter (uncredited)
Pretty Baby 1950
as Danny (uncredited)
This Side of the Law 1950
as Calder Taylor
Bright Leaf 1950
as Poker Player (uncredited)
The Fountainhead 1949
as Young Intellectual (uncredited)
Two Guys from Texas 1948
as Jim Crocker
The Shanghai Chest 1948
as Victor Armstrong
- Train to Alcatraz
Train to Alcatraz 1948
as Nick
Romance on the High Seas 1948
as Charles - Travel Agent (uncredited)
The Bold Frontiersman 1948
as Don Post
Open Secret 1948
as Ralph
Rocky 1948
as Jack Arnold
Under Colorado Skies 1947
as Jeff Collins
Deep Valley 1947
as Convict
Cheyenne 1947
as Single Jack
Love and Learn 1947
as William
Stallion Road 1947
as Radio Broadcaster (uncredited)
Nora Prentiss 1947
as San Francisco Ferry Boat Dispatcher (voice) (uncredited)
The Beast with Five Fingers 1947
as Donald Arlington
Shadow of a Woman 1946
as Carl, Emma's Son
Three Strangers 1946
as Junior Clerk
San Antonio 1945
as Pony Smith
Objective, Burma! 1945
as Hogan
The Very Thought of You 1944
as Cal Wheeler
The Fighting Sullivans 1944
as Madison Abel 'Matt' Sullivan
Destination Tokyo 1943
as Sound Man
Northern Pursuit 1943
as Orderly (uncredited)
Credits from TMDB.