John Anthony Fetto, II (February 23, 1926 – January 22, 2010),[1][2] known professionally as Johnny Seven, was an American character actor who appeared in 26 films[1] and approximately 600 television shows[1] during his career, which spanned more than 40 years.[1][2] His credits included the 1960 film The Apartment and a recurring role as Lt. Carl Reese on the 1968–1975 television series Ironside.[1]
Johnny Seven | |
|---|---|
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| Born | John Anthony Fetto, II February 23, 1926 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2010 (aged 83) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse | Edith Fetto (m. 1949) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editSeven was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. His parents, who were Italian immigrants, also had five daughters.[2] He began acting and singing as a teenager.[2] He served with the United States Army in the Philippines during World War II[2] and performed with the United Service Organizations (USO).[2] Fetto earned his nickname "Johnny Seven" while serving in the Army and kept it as his stage name following the end of the war.[2]
Career
editSeven began his acting career in New York City theater.[1] He portrayed Karl Matuschka, the brother in-law of Shirley MacLaine's character, in The Apartment.[1] His other film credits include The Last Mile (1959), Guns of the Timberland (1960), What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1968) and Murder at the World Series (1977).[1] Seven co-wrote, produced, directed, and starred in Navajo Run, his western independent film released in 1964.[1]
On television, in addition to Ironside, he was cast in the spin-off series Amy Prentiss.[2] His other television credits included roles on Rescue 8, The Man from Blackhawk, Bonanza, Hennesey, The Everglades, Gunsmoke (as murderous outlaw “Barens” in 1965’s S11E1’s “Seven Hours to Dawn“), CHiPs, Naked City, Route 66, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, The Phil Silvers Show, Batman (episodes 25 and 26), Death Valley Days, Peter Gunn, The Untouchables, The Rockford Files, The Wild Wild West,The Rookies and Charlie's Angels.[1][2]
In 1962, he was cast as farmer Carlo Farelli in the episode "The Last Shot" on the anthology series Death Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews. In the story, Carlo sees saloon singer Della (Grace Lee Whitney as a wife but soon encounters competition from another suitor.[citation needed]
In addition to his acting career, Seven also owned a real estate business in the San Fernando Valley.[2]
Death
editSeven died of complications from lung cancer at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, California on January 22, 2010, at age 83.[2] He was survived by his wife of sixty years, Edith.[1] and his son, John Anthony Fetto, III, an attorney in Walnut Creek, California. His memorial service was held at St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish in Granada Hills, California on February 6, 2010.[1]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | On the Waterfront | Longshoreman | uncredited |
| 1957 | Johnny Gunman | Allie | |
| 1958 | Cop Hater | William 'Willie' Bronken | |
| 1959 | Never Steal Anything Small | Joe, a Stevedore | uncredited |
| 1959 | The Last Mile | Tom D'Amoro | |
| 1959 | That Kind of Woman | Minor Role | uncredited |
| 1960 | Guns of the Timberland | Vince | |
| 1960 | The Music Box Kid | Tony Maldano | |
| 1960 | The Apartment | Karl Matuschka | |
| 1961 | Boy Who Caught a Crook | Rocky Kent | |
| 1964 | Navajo Run | Mathew Whitehawk | |
| 1965 | The Greatest Story Ever Told | Pilate's Aide | uncredited |
| 1966 | What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? | Vittorio | |
| 1967 | Gunfight in Abilene | Loop | |
| 1968 | The Destructors | Spaniard | |
| 1969 | The Love God? | Petey |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnes, Mike (2010-01-26). "Prolific character actor Johnny Seven dies". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Johnny Seven, character actor, dies at 83". Los Angeles Times. 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
External links
edit
- Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived March 5, 2010)
- Johnny Seven at IMDb
- Johnny Seven at AllMovie
- Johnny Seven at the TCM Movie Database
