John Alvin
Born
October 24, 1917
Died
February 27, 2009 (91 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
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.
Milk Money
Rich Old Guy
1994
Return to Green Acres
E. Wilfred
1990
Dennis the Menace
Mr. Bonfigli
1987
Amazing Stories
Professor Rand · (1 episode)
1985
Passions
Minister
1984
Murder, She Wrote
Mr. Tucker · (1 episode)
1984
Murder, She Wrote
Dr. Frazier · (1 episode)
1984
Somewhere in Time
Arthur's Father
1980
Hart to Hart
(2 episodes)
1979
The Incredible Hulk
Dr. Patterson · (1 episode)
1977
Crackle of Death
1976
The Quest: The Longest Drive
Aames
1976
Starsky & Hutch
Grocer · (1 episode)
1975
The Legend of Lizzie Borden
Dr. Draper
1975
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Dr. Carrie · (1 episode)
1974
M*A*S*H
Bowman · (1 episode)
1972
The Organization
Forensic Officer (uncredited)
1971
Sweet, Sweet Rachel
Surgeon
1971
All in the Family
Bailiff · (1 episode)
1971
The Legend of Lylah Clare
Accountant (uncredited)
1968
Occasional Wife
(1 episode)
1966
Family Affair
(1 episode)
1966
Get Smart
(1 episode)
1965
The Munsters
Mr. Franklin · (1 episode)
1964
The Cara Williams Show
(1 episode)
1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Doctor · (1 episode)
1964
Marnie
Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)
1964
Petticoat Junction
Mr. Kimberly · (1 episode)
1963
Irma la Douce
Customer #2
1963
The Lucy Show
Director · (1 episode)
1962
The Beverly Hillbillies
Harry Barth · (2 episodes)
1962
The Beverly Hillbillies
Photographer · (1 episode)
1962
87th Precinct
(1 episode)
1961
Cain's Hundred
Norman Reno · (1 episode)
1961
Bringing Up Buddy
(1 episode)
1960
My Three Sons
(2 episodes)
1960
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Photographer · (1 episode)
1959
One Step Beyond
Bradley · (1 episode)
1959
The Rifleman
(1 episode)
1958
Bronco
(1 episode)
1958
Leave It to Beaver
(1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Sam Walsh · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Phil - Bank Teller · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Assistant Bank Manager · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Bank Teller · (1 episode)
1957
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Doc · (1 episode)
1957
Wire Service
Chief Dispatcher · (1 episode)
1956
Hey, Jeannie!
Man · (1 episode)
1956
Kentucky Rifle
Luke Thomas
1956
Illegal
Court Clerk (uncredited)
1955
The McConnell Story
Johnny
1955
Cheyenne
(1 episode)
1955
Navy Log
(1 episode)
1955
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
Keegle · (1 episode)
1955
A Bullet for Joey
Constable Dan Percy (uncredited)
1955
The Millionaire
Defense Atty. Bill Irvin · (1 episode)
1955
The Millionaire
Prosecuting Attorney · (1 episode)
1955
Deep in My Heart
Mr. Mulvaney (uncredited)
1954
Climax!
Sir Roscoe Crosby · (1 episode)
1954
The Shanghai Story
John Warren
1954
The Whistler
(1 episode)
1954
The Lone Wolf
Johnson · (1 episode)
1954
April in Paris
Tracy
1952
The Iron Mistress
Impatient Man in Tailor's Shop
1952
Four Star Playhouse
Third Mate · (1 episode)
1952
Four Star Playhouse
Clerk · (1 episode)
1952
Four Star Playhouse
(1 episode)
1952
Hopalong Cassidy
(1 episode)
1952
Carrie
Stage Manager
1952
Dangerous Assignment
(1 episode)
1952
Dragnet
(3 episodes)
1951
The Unknown Man
1951
Come Fill the Cup
Travis Ashbourne - Reporter
1951
Racket Squad
(1 episode)
1951
Missing Women
Eddie Ennis
1951
The Living Christ
Joseph · (12 episodes)
1951
The Breaking Point
Reporter (uncredited)
1950
Pretty Baby
Danny (uncredited)
1950
This Side of the Law
Calder Taylor
1950
Bright Leaf
Poker Player (uncredited)
1950
The Lone Ranger
Sid · (1 episode)
1949
The Fountainhead
Young Intellectual (uncredited)
1949
Two Guys from Texas
Jim Crocker
1948
The Shanghai Chest
Victor Armstrong
1948
Train to Alcatraz
Nick
1948
Romance on the High Seas
Charles - Travel Agent (uncredited)
1948
The Bold Frontiersman
Don Post
1948
Open Secret
Ralph
1948
Rocky
Jack Arnold
1948
Under Colorado Skies
Jeff Collins
1947
Deep Valley
Convict
1947
Cheyenne
Single Jack
1947
Love and Learn
William
1947
Stallion Road
Radio Broadcaster (uncredited)
1947
Nora Prentiss
San Francisco Ferry Boat Dispatcher (voice) (uncredited)
1947
The Beast with Five Fingers
Donald Arlington
1947
Shadow of a Woman
Carl, Emma's Son
1946
Three Strangers
Junior Clerk
1946
San Antonio
Pony Smith
1945
Objective, Burma!
Hogan
1945
The Very Thought of You
Cal Wheeler
1944
The Fighting Sullivans
Madison Abel 'Matt' Sullivan
1944
Destination Tokyo
Sound Man
1943
Northern Pursuit
Orderly (uncredited)
1943