John Alvin
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
ActingBirthday
October 24, 1917Deathday
February 27, 2009Gender
MaleKnown Movie Credits
50Place of birth
Chicago, Illinois, USAAlso known as
John Alvin HoffstadtCast credits
Three Strangers
Junior ClerkThe Beast with Five Fingers
Donald ArlingtonApril in Paris
TracyCheyenne
Single JackObjective, Burma!
HoganThe Fighting Sullivans
Madison Abel 'Matt' SullivanShadow of a Woman
Carl, Emma's SonMissing Women
Eddie EnnisThis Side of the Law
Calder TaylorMarnie
Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)Open Secret
RalphNorthern Pursuit
Orderly (uncredited)The Quest: The Longest Drive
AamesThe McConnell Story
JohnnyA Bullet for Joey
Constable Dan Percy (uncredited)The Legend of Lizzie Borden
Dr. DraperThe Very Thought of You
Cal WheelerIllegal
Court Clerk (uncredited)The Unknown Man
Return to Green Acres
E. Wilfred