Acting · Chicago, Illinois, USA · Born October 24, 1917
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.
MovieMilk Money
1994
as Rich Old Guy
MovieReturn to Green Acres
1990
as E. Wilfred
MovieDennis the Menace
1987
as Mr. Bonfigli
TVAmazing Stories
1985
as Professor Rand
MoviePassions
1984
as Minister
TVMurder, She Wrote
1984
as Mr. Tucker
MovieSomewhere in Time
1980
as Arthur's Father
TVHart to Hart
1979
TVThe Incredible Hulk
1977
as Dr. Patterson
MovieCrackle of Death
1976
MovieThe Quest: The Longest Drive
1976
as Aames
TVStarsky & Hutch
1975
as Grocer
MovieThe Legend of Lizzie Borden
1975
as Dr. Draper
TVKolchak: The Night Stalker
1974
as Dr. Carrie
TVM*A*S*H
1972
as Bowman
MovieThe Organization
1971
as Forensic Officer (uncredited)
MovieSweet, Sweet Rachel
1971
as Surgeon
TVAll in the Family
1971
as Bailiff
MovieThey Call Me Mister Tibbs!
1970
as Reporter (uncredited)
MovieThe Legend of Lylah Clare
1968
as Accountant (uncredited)
TVThe Second Hundred Years
1967
as Mark Tolliver
TVOccasional Wife
1966
TVFamily Affair
1966
TVGet Smart
1965
as Dr. Rhinehouse
TVThe Munsters
1964
as Mr. Franklin
TVThe Cara Williams Show
1964
TVThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964
as Doctor
MovieMarnie
1964
as Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)
TVPetticoat Junction
1963
as Mr. Kimberly
MovieIrma la Douce
1963
as Customer #2
TVThe Lucy Show
1962
as Director
TVThe Beverly Hillbillies
1962
as Harry Barth
TV87th Precinct
1961
TVCain's Hundred
1961
as Norman Reno
Bringing Up Buddy
1960
TVMy Three Sons
1960
TVThe DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959
as Photographer
TVOne Step Beyond
1959
as Bradley
TVThe Rifleman
1958
TVBronco
1958
as Jim March
TVLeave It to Beaver
1957
TVPerry Mason
1957
as Sam Walsh
TVRichard Diamond, Private Detective
1957
as Doc
TVWire Service
1956
as Chief Dispatcher
TVHey, Jeannie!
1956
as Man
MovieKentucky Rifle
1956
as Luke Thomas
MovieIllegal
1955
as Court Clerk (uncredited)
MovieThe McConnell Story
1955
as Johnny
TVCheyenne
1955
TVNavy Log
1955
TVSheena: Queen of the Jungle
1955
as Keegle
MovieA Bullet for Joey
1955
as Constable Dan Percy (uncredited)
TVThe Millionaire
1955
as Defense Atty. Bill Irvin
MovieDeep in My Heart
1954
as Mr. Mulvaney (uncredited)
TVClimax!
1954
as Sir Roscoe Crosby
MovieThe Shanghai Story
1954
as John Warren
TVThe Whistler
1954
TVThe Lone Wolf
1954
as Johnson
MovieApril in Paris
1952
as Tracy
MovieThe Iron Mistress
1952
as Impatient Man in Tailor's Shop
TVFour Star Playhouse
1952
as Third Mate
TVHopalong Cassidy
1952
MovieCarrie
1952
as Stage Manager
TVDangerous Assignment
1952
TVDragnet
1951
MovieThe Unknown Man
1951
as Photographer (uncredited)
MovieCome Fill the Cup
1951
as Travis Ashbourne - Reporter
TVRacket Squad
1951
MovieMissing Women
1951
as Eddie Ennis
TVThe Living Christ
1951
as Joseph
TVThe George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
1950
as The Wonder Glue Pitchman
MovieThe Breaking Point
1950
as Reporter (uncredited)
MoviePretty Baby
1950
as Danny (uncredited)
MovieThis Side of the Law
1950
as Calder Taylor
MovieBright Leaf
1950
as Poker Player (uncredited)
TVThe Lone Ranger
1949
as Sid
MovieThe Fountainhead
1949
as Young Intellectual (uncredited)
MovieTwo Guys from Texas
1948
as Jim Crocker
MovieThe Shanghai Chest
1948
as Victor Armstrong
Train to Alcatraz
1948
as Nick
MovieRomance on the High Seas
1948
as Charles - Travel Agent (uncredited)
MovieThe Bold Frontiersman
1948
as Don Post
MovieOpen Secret
1948
as Ralph
MovieRocky
1948
as Jack Arnold
MovieUnder Colorado Skies
1947
as Jeff Collins
MovieDeep Valley
1947
as Convict
MovieCheyenne
1947
as Single Jack
MovieLove and Learn
1947
as William
MovieStallion Road
1947
as Radio Broadcaster (uncredited)
MovieNora Prentiss
1947
as San Francisco Ferry Boat Dispatcher (voice) (uncredited)
MovieThe Beast with Five Fingers
1947
as Donald Arlington
MovieShadow of a Woman
1946
as Carl, Emma's Son
MovieThree Strangers
1946
as Junior Clerk
MovieSan Antonio
1945
as Pony Smith
MovieObjective, Burma!
1945
as Hogan
MovieThe Very Thought of You
1944
as Cal Wheeler
MovieThe Fighting Sullivans
1944
as Madison Abel 'Matt' Sullivan
MovieDestination Tokyo
1943
as Sound Man
MovieNorthern Pursuit
1943
as Orderly (uncredited)
