John Milford (September 7, 1927 - August 14, 2000)[1] was an American actor in theater, television, and films, playing scores of roles, often as a western villain. He was estimated to have had about 500 appearances in TV roles.[1]

John Milford
Born(1927-09-07)September 7, 1927
DiedAugust 14, 2000(2000-08-14) (aged 72)
Alma materUnion College
Years active1955 - 2000

Early years edit

Born in Johnstown, New York, Milford studied civil engineering at Union College[1] but chose to pursue his first love, acting. He "worked for some years with Los Angeles' Bureau of Engineering, Department of Public Works."[2]

Career edit

Milford first appeared on television in the 1940s on What's My Name? on KGRB in Albany, New York.[3]

After making his film debut in Marty in 1955, Milford went on to act in dozens of film and TV roles, especially in westerns such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Fugitive, The Big Valley, The Rifleman(S3 E4, S5 E7), and The Virginian.

From 1959 to 1960, Milford was cast in ten episodes as the historical Ike Clanton on the ABC/Desilu series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian as Wyatt Earp. Milford's last episode was S5 E41 "Wyatt's Bitterest Enemy" which aired 6/7/1960.

From 1959 to 1968, Milford appeared on three episodes of Bonanza: on "Vendetta"[4] as Ned Morgan, "Half a Rogue"[5] as Cal Stacy and "A World Full of Cannibals"[6] as Rodgers.

Milford guest-starred on four episodes of Mannix from 1969 to 1974: on "Deathrun"[7] as Sheriff George Hale, "Portrait of a Hero"[8] as Col. Edgar Ewing, "Cry Danger"[9] as Stan Forrester and "The Survivor Who Wasn't"[10] as Harry.

In 1965 Milford had a recurring role as Cole Younger in the ABC series The Legend of Jesse James, starring Christopher Jones. In the same year, Milford appeared in the third season episode "Billy the Kid" as Sergeant Stoner on the World War II drama Combat!, as well as an episode of Gunsmoke titled “Winner Take All” (S10E22).

Throughout his career Milford continued to work in the theater. He founded the Chamber Theater[2] at 3759 Cahuenga Blvd, pioneering Equity Waiver productions in Los Angeles, and helped launch the careers of actors such as Richard Chamberlain and Vic Morrow.

Milford's Los Angeles Times obituary credits him with using his engineering background to help create the original design for the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.[2]

Milford played the part of Albert Einstein in 1996's Command & Conquer: Red Alert.[citation needed]

Death edit

Milford died of skin cancer in 2000.[citation needed]

Filmography edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1955MartyMinor RoleUncredited
1956The Ten CommandmentsAttendant to Trojan Ambassador / Young FatherUncredited
1957The PersuaderClint
1958The Heart Is a RebelHal Foster
1959Face of a FugitiveHaleyUncredited
1963Gunfight at Comanche CreekBill Peters
1965Zebra in the KitchenSgt. Freebee
1966For Pete's Sake
1967The Last ChallengeTurpin
1969Support Your Local Sheriff!Gunman McCullough Throws Rocks AtUncredited
1979JoniDr. Sherrill
1981Spider-Man: The Dragon's ChallengeProfessor Dent
1986Say YesSailor
1987Student ConfidentialMr. Warshetsky
1998Primary ColorsUncredited
1998Show & TellMr. Mahler

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Actor John Milford dies at 72". Santa Cruz Sentinel. California, Santa Cruz. Associated Press. August 16, 2000. p. 8. Retrieved June 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Actor takes out theatre insurance". Dixon Evening Telegraph. Illinois, Dixon. Newspaper Enterprise Association. March 25, 1977. p. 16. Retrieved June 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "John Milford". Toledo Blade. Ohio, Toledo. Times-Post News Service. August 18, 2000. p. Section B, Page 5. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  4. ^ Bonanza : Vendetta (1959) - Joseph Kane | Cast and Crew | AllMovie, retrieved February 14, 2023
  5. ^ Bonanza : Half a Rogue (1963) - Don McDougall | Cast and Crew | AllMovie, retrieved February 14, 2023
  6. ^ Bonanza : A World Full of Cannibals (1968) - Gunnar Hellstrom | Cast and Crew | AllMovie, retrieved February 14, 2023
  7. ^ Mannix: Deathrun | TVmaze, retrieved February 14, 2023
  8. ^ Mannix: Portrait of a Hero | TVmaze, retrieved February 14, 2023
  9. ^ Mannix: Cry Danger | TVmaze, retrieved February 14, 2023
  10. ^ Mannix: The Survivor Who Wasn't | TVmaze, retrieved February 14, 2023

LA Times biographical article

External links edit