John Alvin
Acting
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.
Known for
Acting99
movieMilk Money
1994
Rich Old Guy
movieReturn to Green Acres
1990
E. Wilfred
movieDennis the Menace
1987
Mr. Bonfigli
tvAmazing Stories
1985
Professor Rand
moviePassions
1984
Minister
tvMurder, She Wrote
1984
Mr. Tucker / Dr. Frazier
movieSomewhere in Time
1980
Arthur's Father
tvHart to Hart
1979
Clark
tvThe Incredible Hulk
1977
Dr. Patterson
tvStarsky & Hutch
1975
Grocer
movieThe Legend of Lizzie Borden
1975
Dr. Draper
tvKolchak: The Night Stalker
1974
Dr. Carrie
tvM*A*S*H
1972
Bowman
movieThe Organization
1971
Forensic Officer (uncredited)
movieSweet, Sweet Rachel
1971
Surgeon
tvAll in the Family
1971
Bailiff
movieThey Call Me Mister Tibbs!
1970
Reporter (uncredited)
movieThe Legend of Lylah Clare
1968
Accountant (uncredited)
tvThe Second Hundred Years
1967
Mark Tolliver / John
tvGet Smart
1965
Dr. Rhinehouse
tvThe Munsters
1964
Mr. Franklin
movieMarnie
1964
Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)
tvPetticoat Junction
1963
Mr. Kimberly
movieIrma la Douce
1963
Customer #2
tvThe Lucy Show
1962
Director
tvThe Beverly Hillbillies
1962
Harry Barth / Photographer
tvCain's Hundred
1961
Norman Reno
tvThe DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959
Photographer
tvOne Step Beyond
1959
Bradley
tvBronco
1958
Jim March
tvPerry Mason
1957
Sam Walsh / Phil - Bank Teller / Assistant Bank Manager / Bank Teller
tvWire Service
1956
Chief Dispatcher
movieKentucky Rifle
1956
Luke Thomas
movieIllegal
1955
Court Clerk (uncredited)
movieA Bullet for Joey
1955
Constable Dan Percy (uncredited)
tvThe Millionaire
1955
Defense Atty. Bill Irvin / Prosecuting Attorney
movieDeep in My Heart
1954
Mr. Mulvaney (uncredited)
tvClimax!
1954
Sir Roscoe Crosby
movieThe Shanghai Story
1954
John Warren
tvThe Lone Wolf
1954
Johnson
movieThe Iron Mistress
1952
Impatient Man in Tailor's Shop
tvFour Star Playhouse
1952
Third Mate / Clerk
movieCarrie
1952
Stage Manager
movieThe Unknown Man
1951
Photographer (uncredited)
movieCome Fill the Cup
1951
Travis Ashbourne - Reporter
movieMissing Women
1951
Eddie Ennis
tvThe Living Christ
1951
Joseph
tvThe George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
1950
The Wonder Glue Pitchman
movieThe Breaking Point
1950
Reporter (uncredited)
moviePretty Baby
1950
Danny (uncredited)
movieThis Side of the Law
1950
Calder Taylor
movieBright Leaf
1950
Poker Player (uncredited)
movieThe Fountainhead
1949
Young Intellectual (uncredited)
movieTwo Guys from Texas
1948
Jim Crocker
movieThe Shanghai Chest
1948
Victor Armstrong
movieRomance on the High Seas
1948
Charles - Travel Agent (uncredited)
movieThe Bold Frontiersman
1948
Don Post
movieOpen Secret
1948
Ralph
movieRocky
1948
Jack Arnold
movieUnder Colorado Skies
1947
Jeff Collins
movieDeep Valley
1947
Convict
movieCheyenne
1947
Single Jack
movieLove and Learn
1947
William
movieStallion Road
1947
Radio Broadcaster (uncredited)
movieNora Prentiss
1947
San Francisco Ferry Boat Dispatcher (voice) (uncredited)
movieThe Beast with Five Fingers
1947
Donald Arlington
movieShadow of a Woman
1946
Carl, Emma's Son
movieThree Strangers
1946
Junior Clerk
movieSan Antonio
1945
Pony Smith
movieThe Very Thought of You
1944
Cal Wheeler
movieThe Fighting Sullivans
1944
Madison Abel 'Matt' Sullivan
movieDestination Tokyo
1943
Sound Man
movieNorthern Pursuit
1943
Orderly (uncredited)