John Marley
John Marley (born Mortimer Marlieb,[2] October 17, 1907 – May 22, 1984) was an American actor who was known for his role as Phil Cavalleri in Love Story and as Jack Woltz— the defiant film mogul who awakens to find the severed head of his prized horse in his bed—in The Godfather (1972).[3] He starred in John Cassavetes' feature Faces (1968)[3] and appeared in The Glitter Dome (1984).
John Marley | |
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John Marley from a poster promoting Faces (1968) | |
Born | Mortimer Marlieb October 17, 1907 New York City, U.S. |
Died | May 22, 1984 76) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Resting place | Cedar Park Cemetery |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1947–1984 |
Spouse(s) |
|
Children | 4[1] |
Early years
Marley was born in Harlem in New York City to Russian-Jewish parents.[2] He dropped out of the City College of New York, turning instead to a career in acting.[1]
Career
Military service
Marley served in the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II.[1]
Film and television
Marley was a prolific character actor, appearing in nearly 150 films and television series during a career that spanned forty-five years. TV series included The Web, Peter Gunn, Johnny Staccato, Bourbon Street Beat, Rawhide, The Untouchables, Sea Hunt, 77 Sunset Strip, The Lloyd Bridges Show, Dr. Kildare, The Outer Limits, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, The Wild Wild West, Mannix, Bonanza, Ironside, The Name of the Game, The F.B.I., Cannon, McCloud, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Baretta, Barnaby Jones, and Hawaii Five-0.
He was cast as George Campbell in the 1961 episode "Jerkwater" of the ABC western series, The Rebel, starring Nick Adams. In 1962 he played the role of murderer Matthew Owen in the Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Angry Astronaut."
One of Marley's most notable roles, albeit short, was that of film producer Jack Woltz in The Godfather. Marley later spoofed that role in an episode of SCTV Network. He played Max Berns, a film producer who was a caring father figure to Burt Reynolds in the stuntman tribute, Hooper.[3]
In the late 70's, he appeared in the third season of the popular television series, The Incredible Hulk as D.W. Banner, the father of the main character, David Banner, in the "Homecoming" episode.
Stage
Marley's Broadway credits include The Investigation (1966), Sing Till Tomorrow (1953), The Strong Are Lonely (1953), Skipper Next to God (1947),[4] and Johnny Doodle (1942).[1] Elsewhere on stage, Marley appeared in the world premiere production of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry drama, Conversation At Midnight in 1961 in Los Angeles, in an ensemble cast which included James Coburn, Jack Albertson and Eduard Franz. The production was directed by Robert Gist and produced by Worley Thorne and Susan Davis.
He also directed Little Theater productions in several cities.[5]
Personal life
Marley was twice married. His first wife, the actress Stanja Lowe bore him three children.[5] Their son, the actor Ben Marley has appeared in many films, including Jaws 2.
Death
In 1984, Marley died at age 76 following open-heart surgery.[6] He is interred at Cedar Park Cemetery, in Emerson, New Jersey.[7]
Recognition
In 1968, Marley won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his work in Faces.[8] In 1970, he was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in Love Story[9] but lost to John Mills, who won for Ryan's Daughter. He was also nominated for a 1971 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting role in Any Motion Picture for his work in Love Story.[10]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1942 | Native Land | Thug With Crowbar | Uncredited as John Marlieb | |
1947 | Kiss of Death | Prisoner in Spinning Mill | Uncredited | |
1948 | The Naked City | Managing Editor | Uncredited | |
1950 | Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town | Second Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
1951 | The Mob | Tony | ||
1952 | My Six Convicts | Knotty Johnson | ||
1953 | The Joe Louis Story | Mannie Seamon | ||
1955 | The Square Jungle | Tommy Dillon - Referee | ||
1956 | Time Table | Bobik | ||
1958 | I Want to Live! | Father Devers | ||
1960 | Pay or Die | D. Caputo, Ragman | ||
Sea Hunt | Season 3, Episode 31 | |||
1961 | Sea Hunt | Season 4, Episode 28 | ||
1962 | The Twilight Zone - Kick the Can | Mr. Cox | ||
1963 | A Child Is Waiting | Holland | ||
The Wheeler Dealers | Achilles Dimitros | |||
America, America | Garabet | |||
1964 | The Twilight Zone - The Old Man in the Cave | Jason | ||
1965 | Nightmare in the Sun | Hogan, Gas station owner | ||
Cat Ballou | Frankie Ballou | |||
The Lollipop Cover | George | |||
1967 | The Wild Wild West | King Stefan IX | "The Night of the Wolf" | |
1968 | Faces | Richard Forst | ||
In Enemy Country | Rausch | |||
1970 | A Man Called Sledge | Old Man | ||
Love Story | Phil Cavalleri | Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | ||
1971 | Clay Pigeon | Police Captain | ||
1972 | The Dead Are Alive | Nikos Samarakis | ||
The Godfather | Jack Woltz | |||
1973 | Jory | Roy Starr | ||
Blade | Tommy Blade | |||
1974 | Deathdream | Charles Brooks | ||
1975 | Framed | Sal Viccarrone | ||
Kolchak: The Night Stalker | Captain Maurice Molnar | Episode: "Primal Scream" | ||
1976 | W.C. Fields and Me | Studio Head Bannerman | ||
1977 | The Car | Sheriff Everett Peck | ||
Hawaii Five-O | Noah | "Tread the King's Shadow" | ||
Vengeance | Jesus | |||
The Greatest | Dr. Ferdie Pacheco | |||
The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover | Dave Hindley | |||
1978 | Greatest Heroes of the Bible | Moses | ||
It Lives Again | Mr. Mallory | |||
Hooper | Max Berns | |||
1980 | Tribute | Lou Daniels | ||
1981 | Threshold | Edgar Fine | ||
The Amateur | Molton | |||
1982 | Mother Lode | Elijah | ||
1983 | Utilities | Roy Blue | ||
1986 | On the Edge | Elmo Glidden | (final film role) |
References
- Pareles, Jon (May 24, 1984). "John Marley, Actor, An Oscar Nominee and Venice Winner". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- "Marley, John". American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press. February 2000. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
- Pareles, Jon (May 24, 1984). "JOHN MARLEY, ACTOR, AN OSCAR NOMINEE AND VENICE WINNER". The New York Times.
- "("John Marley" search results)". Playbill Vault. Playbill. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- Corday, Barbara (January 12, 1971). "They're Saying His Name in Same Breath With 'Oscar'". Valley News. California, Van Nuys. p. 22. Retrieved August 26, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- Obituary Variety, May 30, 1984.
- Resting Places
- "Volpi Cup for Best Actor". Carnival of Venice. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- "("John Marley" search results)". Academy Awards Database. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- "John Marley". Golden Globe Awards. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
External links
- John Marley at IMDb
- John Marley at the TCM Movie Database
- John Marley at AllMovie
- John Marley at the Internet Broadway Database
- John Marley at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- John Marley at Find a Grave