John McGiver


John Irwin McGiver was an American character actor who made more than a hundred appearances in television and motion pictures over a two-decade span from 1955 to 1975.
The owl-faced, portly character actor with his New York elite accent and precise diction, was often cast as pompous Englishmen and other stuffy, aristocratic and bureaucratic types. He was known for his performances in such films as Breakfast at Tiffany's ; The Manchurian Candidate, Who's Minding the Store? and Man's Favorite Sport?. He appeared on many television shows and commercials during the 1960s and early 1970s, including the first of a long running popular series of commercials for the American Express charge card.

Early life

McGiver was born in Manhattan, New York City, the son of Irish immigrants. He graduated from the Jesuit-run Regis High School in Manhattan in 1932.
He earned a B.A. in English from Fordham University in 1938 and master's degrees from Columbia University and Catholic University. He became an English teacher and worked as an actor and director in New York's Irish Repertory Theater. He interrupted those activities and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served as an officer in the U.S. Army's 7th Armored Division in Europe during World War II. Returning to civilian life, he continued to teach English and speech at Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx and worked occasionally in off-Broadway plays until 1955, when he became a full-time actor.

Career

He appeared in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes "Six People No Music" and "Fatal Figures", and the Twilight Zone episodes "Sounds and Silences" and "The Bard". In 1971, he guest-starred in Alias Smith and Jones. In 1964, he appeared in Man's Favorite Sport?. Between 1963 and 1964, McGiver appeared in five episodes of The Patty Duke Show as J.R. Castle, who was Martin Lane's boss at the fictional newspaper The Chronicle.
His most recognized film roles came in 1961–62 when he appeared in The Manchurian Candidate as the principled, incorruptible Senator Jordan, and as a wistful jewelry salesman in Breakfast at Tiffany's. McGiver later played the role of an unhinged religious fanatic, Mr. O'Daniel, in the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy and a small role in Lucille Ball's Mame. He was also in an episode of Gilligan's Island in 1966, "The Man With a Net". He also made one guest appearance on ABC's hit fantasy sitcom Bewitched.

Personal life

McGiver was married to Ruth Schmigelsky from 1947 until his death; they had ten children: Brigit, Maria, Terry, Basil, Clare, Oliver, Ian, Clemens, Boris, and Cornelia. Boris, the ninth child in the McGivers' large family, followed in his father's footsteps, working as a professional actor in films and on television since 1987.

Death

McGiver, at age 61, died of a heart attack on September 9, 1975, at his home in West Fulton, New York. His remains were cremated.

Selected filmography

The Man in the Raincoat — O'BrienLove in the Afternoon — Monsieur XI Married a Woman — Girard, Sutton's LawyerOnce Upon a Horse... — Mr. TharpThe Gazebo — Sam ThorpeLove in a Goldfish Bowl — Dr. FrawleyBreakfast at Tiffany's — Tiffany's SalesmanBachelor in Paradise — Austin PalfreyMr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation — Martin TurnerThe Manchurian Candidate — Senator Thomas JordanPeriod of Adjustment — Stewart P. McGillWho's Got the Action? — Judge FogelSomething's Got to Give — The JudgeMy Six Loves — Judge HarrisJohnny Cool — Oscar B. 'Oby' HindsTake Her, She's Mine — Hector G. IvorWho's Minding the Store? — Mr. John P. TuttleMan's Favorite Sport? — William CadwaladerA Global Affair — Mr. SnifterMarriage on the Rocks — Shad NathanMade in Paris — Roger BarclayThe Glass Bottom Boat — Ralph GoodwinThe Spirit Is Willing — Uncle GeorgeFitzwilly — AlbertMidnight Cowboy — Mr. O'DanielLawman — Sabbath Mayor Sam BoldenArnold — GovernorMame — Mr. BabcockThe Apple Dumpling Gang — Leonard Sharpe

Television

McGiver was a regular performer on:McKeever & the Colonel
  • *Season 1 Episode 9: "Blackwell's Stand"
  • *Season 1 Episode 17: "The Neighbor"
  • *Season 1 Episode 18: "Love Comes to Westfield"
  • *Season 1 Episode 19: "The Big Charade"
  • *Season 1 Episode 21: "All Quiet on the Westfield Front"
  • *Season 1 Episode 23: "Make Room for Mother" Many Happy Returns as Walter Burnley Mr. Terrific as Barton J. ReedThe Jimmy Stewart Show as Dr. Luther Quince
McGiver also appeared on:Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Stage

Broadway theatre roles included: A Thurber Carnival, 1960The Front Page, 1969–1970