John Craven (actor)
John Craven (June 22, 1916 – November 24, 1995) was an American actor in films and plays and on television.
John Craven | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Cheirel in Flight to Nowhere (1946) | |
| Born | June 22, 1916 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 1995 (aged 79) Salt Point, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1937–1970 |
| Parent |
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Biography
Craven was born on June 22, 1916, in New York City. He was a third-generation actor, following in the profession of his father, Frank Craven, and his grandfather, John T. Craven.[1] His mother, Mary Blythe, was an actress prior to marriage.[2]
Craven originated the role of George Gibbs in the original stage version of Our Town, in which his father played the stage manager.[1] Craven was overlooked in the movie version, however, with the part going to the then-unknown William Holden. Other Broadway shows in which Craven appeared included They Knew What They Wanted (1949), Spring Again (1941), Village Green (1941), Delicate Story (1940), Two On An Island (1940), Aries Is Rising (1939), and The Happiest Days (1939).[3]
Craven was stationed in Naples during World War II and put on shows for the USO.[1]
Though born in New York City, he attended Beverly Hills High School, in the early 1930s. His stage family had a long history of alternating generations of men named John with subsequent generations of men named Frank.
On November 24, 1995, Craven died at his home in Salt Point, New York.[4][5]
Filmography
- Over the Goal (1937)
- The Human Comedy (1943)
- Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case (1943)
- Someone to Remember (1943)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | For God and Country | Danny Brewer | Short |
| 1944 | The Purple Heart | Sgt. Martin Stoner | |
| 1944 | Meet the People | John Swanson | |
| 1944 | In the Meantime, Darling | Sleeping Soldier | Uncredited |
| 1946 | Flight to Nowhere | Claude Forrest | |
| 1946 | Swell Guy | Mike O'Connor | |
| 1953 | Count the Hours! | George Braden | |
| 1954 | Security Risk | Dr. Lanson | |
| 1955 | The Green Mountain Boys | Remember Baker | TV movie |
| 1956 | Battle Stations | Cmdr. James Matthews | |
| 1956 | Navy Wife | Dr. Carter | |
| 1956 | Hold Back the Night | Maj. Bob MacKay | |
| 1956 | Friendly Persuasion | Band Leader | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Revolt in the Big House | Guard | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Ocean's 11 | Cashier | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Let's Make Love | Comstock | Uncredited |
| 1964 | The Brass Bottle | 2nd Psychiatrist | Uncredited |
| 1970 | The Wild Scene | Morton |
Selected Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp | Harry Drew / Dolan | Episode "One of Jesse's Gang" |
| 1960 | Wanted Dead or Alive | Zack Dawson | Season 3, Episode 9 "Criss-Cross" |
References
- "John Craven, 79, Who Played George in Original 'Our Town'". The New York Times. November 28, 1995. p. B 12. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via ProQuest.
- Drutman, Irving (February 25, 1940). "Yes, He's Frank Craven's Son But He's Making His Own Way". Miami Daily News. New York Herald Tribune. p. 48. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "John Craven". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- Willis, John; Monush, Barry (January 1997). Screen World 1996. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 294. ISBN 978-1-55783-252-8. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- (27 November 1995). Actor John Craven Dies at 79, Buffalo News
External links
- John Craven at IMDb
- John Craven at the Internet Broadway Database
- Obituary in The New York Times
- "Our Town" presented on The Campbell Playhouse, with Orson Welles and guest star John Craven (May 12, 1939)