John Gavin

Infobox actor
name = John Gavin

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birthname = John Anthony Golenor Pablos
birthdate = birth date and age|1931|4|8
birthplace = Los Angeles, California
spouse = Cecily Evans (m.1957)
Constance Towers (1974-)
yearsactive = 1956 - 1981
goldenglobeawards = Most Promising Newcomer - Male
1958 "A Time to Love and a Time to Die"

John Gavin (born John Anthony Golenor Pablos on April 8, 1931 in Los Angeles, California) is an American film actor and a former United States Ambassador to Mexico. Gavin is half Mexican and fluent in Spanish.

Gavin's father's side, the Golenor family, of Irish origin, were early landowners in California when it was still under Spanish rule; his father Herald changed the family's name to Gavin. His mother was a member of the powerful Pablos family in the Mexican state of Sonora, Mexico.

He received a B.A. from Stanford University, where he did senior honors work in Latin American economic history, and served in the U.S. Navy in air intelligence from 1952 to 1955.

Film and stage career

Groomed as a virile, strapping, handsome leading man in the mold of Rock Hudson, some of his most famous roles include "A Time to Love and A Time To Die" and "Imitation of Life" (1959) for director Douglas Sirk and producer Ross Hunter, both of whom had earlier helped make a star of Hudson. Gavin also appeared in the seminal thriller "Psycho" (1960) for director Alfred Hitchcock, the epic "Spartacus" (1960) directed by Stanley Kubrick, and the 1920s-era Julie Andrews musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (1967) for George Roy Hill, again for producer Ross Hunter. Each of those films was among the most successful box-office attractions of their year of release. Gavin also co-starred with such top leading ladies of the era as Doris Day in the 1960 thriller "Midnight Lace", Sophia Loren the same year in the comedic "A Breath of Scandal" and, in 1961, with Susan Hayward in the melodrama "Back Street" and in "Romanoff and Juliet" and "Tammy Tell Me True", both with Sandra Dee.

James Bond

Gavin was signed on for the role of James Bond in 1971's "Diamonds Are Forever" after George Lazenby left the role. However, he never played Bond due to Sean Connery's expensive return to the 007 franchise yet still had his contract honored in full. According to Roger Moore's "James Bond Diary", Gavin was also slated to play Bond in 1973's "Live and Let Die" but Harry Saltzman insisted on an Englishman for the role. Gavin did play the French equivalent of 007, in "Pas de Roses pour OSS 117" / "No Roses For OSS 117" (1968) replacing Frederick Stafford who was filming Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz".

creen Actors Guild

He was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1971 to 1973.

Live theater

Gavin made a successful 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" and later replaced Ken Howard in the Broadway musical, "Seesaw" (1973) opposite Michelle Lee. Gavin also toured the country in "Seesaw" with Lucie Arnaz. Both the Broadway and touring production were directed by Michael Bennett.

Politics

A Republican, Gavin was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico in June 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and served until June 12, 1986. Since leaving government service, he has become a successful businessman and civic leader, along with volunteering for his nearby community.

Personal

He has been married to Constance Towers, a stage and television actress, since 1974. When they wed, Gavin and Towers each had two children from previous marriages, so the couple have four adult children and three grandchildren. Gavin's oldest daughter, Cristina Gavin, followed in his footsteps and became an actress. His younger daughter, Maria, also followed in Gavin's footsteps in her own right with a Masters Degree from Gavin's Stanford Alma Mater, and a successful career in television production.

External links

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