John McMartin

John Francis McMartin (August 21, 1929[1] – July 6, 2016) was an American actor of stage, film and television.

John McMartin
McMartin in July 2011
Born
John Francis McMartin

(1929-08-21)August 21, 1929
DiedJuly 6, 2016(2016-07-06) (aged 86)
OccupationActor
Years active1956–2015
Spouse(s)
Cynthia Baer
(m. 1960; div. 1971)
Partner(s)Charlotte Moore
Children2
John McMartin and Shirley MacLaine in Sweet Charity (1969)

Life and career

McMartin was born in Warsaw, Indiana on August 21, 1929[2] and raised in Minnesota. After graduating from high school, McMartin joined the United States Army and became a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. He attended Columbia College Chicago, but did not graduate and he later attended college in New York.[3] He made his off-Broadway debut in Little Mary Sunshine in 1959, opposite Eileen Brennan and Elmarie Wendel. He won a Theatre World Award for his role as Corporal Billy Jester, and married one of the show's producers, Cynthia Baer, in 1960; they divorced in 1971.

His first Broadway appearance was as Forrest Noble in The Conquering Hero in 1961, which was followed by Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole. He created the role of Oscar in Sweet Charity in 1966, opposite Gwen Verdon,[4] garnering a Tony nomination, and played the role again in the 1969 film opposite Shirley MacLaine.[5] He was reportedly cast in Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 1962, but his role was cut before the show opened.

He later starred in the original Broadway production of Sondheim's Follies opposite Alexis Smith in 1971 as Benjamin Stone, introducing the ballad "The Road You Didn't Take".[6] His association with Sondheim has continued, appearing in A Little Night Music as Frederick at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, in 1991.[7][8] The reviewer for the Orange County Register (California) wrote that the actor was "aggressively deadpan as her rediscovered old flame ..."[9] He appeared in the Broadway revival of Into the Woods in 2002, in the dual role of the Narrator/Mysterious Man.[10][11][12]

Other Broadway roles include the Narrator in Happy New Year, Ben in A Little Family Business (adapted by Jay Presson Allen, 1982),[13] Donner in Tom Stoppard's Artist Descending a Staircase, Cap'n Andy in Kern and Hammerstein's Show Boat (1994),[14] and Uncle Willie in Cole Porter's High Society (1998).[15] He also had a role, as the American Revolutionary naval hero John Paul Jones, in the unsuccessful Loesser/Spewack musical, Pleasures and Palaces, which closed in Detroit.[16] In regional theater, he originated the role of Benteen in the Folger Theater Group's 1979 production of Custer at the Kennedy Center.[17]

McMartin was a leading member of the New Phoenix Repertory Company during their three Broadway seasons in the early 1970s, appearing onstage in, among other productions, Eugene O'Neill's The Great God Brown (opposite Katherine Helmond), Molière's Dom Juan, and Luigi Pirandello's The Rules of the Game.

He played "Anton Schell" opposite Chita Rivera in Kander and Ebb's musical The Visit (based on the play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt) at the Goodman Theatre. He created the roles of "J.V. 'Major' Bouvier" and Norman Vincent Peale in Grey Gardens, opposite Mary Louise Wilson and Christine Ebersole. He played Thomas Jefferson in the original cast of John Guare's A Free Man of Color at Lincoln Center (20102011), and next played "Elisha Whitney" in the 2011 Broadway revival of Anything Goes, opposite Jessica Walter.[18]

On television, he appeared on the soap opera As the World Turns as John Rice, whose mother's death had been blamed on Dr. Doug Cassen. He later was on the CBS drama Eastside/Westside and in the first two seasons of Beauty and the Beast (1987) as Charles Chandler, father of Catherine (Linda Hamilton). He also appeared in The Golden Girls (Season 2) as Frank Leahy who, unbeknownst to Dorothy (Bea Arthur) who is romantically attracted to him, is a priest. He appeared on The Bob Newhart Show (Season 2) as the Rev. Dr. Dan Bradford in "Somebody Down Here Likes Me.". He appeared on Cheers (Season 7) in "The Visiting Lecher". He appeared as radio personality Fletcher Grey on Frasier (Season 1). He also appeared in four episodes of Murder, She Wrote. He also appeared as Shirley Jones' love interest in The Partridge Family episode titled "When Mother Gets Married".[19]

On film his roles included the foreign editor in All the President's Men (1976), a Senator in Brubaker (1980), a political advisor in Blow Out (1981) and a significant part in Legal Eagles (1986) as millionaire Mr. Forrester.[19]

Death

McMartin died of cancer in Manhattan on July 6, 2016, aged 86.[1][20] He is survived by his two daughters from his marriage, and his long-time partner, actress Charlotte Moore, the artistic director of the Irish Repertory Theatre.[3]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1965A Thousand ClownsThe Man in the Office
1968What's So Bad About Feeling Good?The Mayor
1969Sweet CharityOscar
1976All the President's MenForeign Editor
1977ThievesGordon
1980BrubakerSenator Charles Hite
1981Blow OutLawrence Henry
1981Pennies From HeavenMr. Warner
1986Dream LoverMartin
1986Legal EaglesForrester
1986Native SonMr. Dalton
1987Who's That GirlSimon Worthington
1989Little SweetheartUncle David
1990A Shock to the SystemGeorge Brewster
1998Three BusinessmenLiverpool Businessman
2000The DishU.S. Ambassador Howard
2004KinseyHuntington Hartford
2007No ReservationsMr. Peterson

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1956As the World TurnsEd Rice
1958Armstrong Circle TheatrePerformerEpisode: The Invisible Mark
1961Frontiers of FaithManEpisode: Let Us Build a Tower
1963The DuPont Show of the WeekPerformerEpisode: Ride with Terror
1963Ride with TerrorPerformerTelevision Movie
1964East Side/West SideMike Miller3 episodes
1964The Doctors and the NursesWilliam DevonEpisode: A Postcard from Yucatan
1964Mr. BroadwayRobertsonEpisode: Try to Find a Spy
1965Profiles in CourageTumultyEpisode: Woodrow Wilson
1965A Flame in the WindTed2 episodes
1968PremiereJohn Higher/Prof. Josh Enders2 episodes
1969Judd, for the DefenseDon TownsendEpisode: Visitation
1969Medical CenterDan CaldwellEpisode: A Life Is Waiting
1970Marcus Welby, M.D.John AmbroseEpisode: Fun and Games and John Ambrose
1970Ritual of EvilEdward BolanderTelevision Movie
1970The Partridge FamilyLarry MetcalfeEpisode: When Mother Gets Married
1970InsightChipperEpisode: Chipper
1971Hawaii Five-ORon Nicholson2 episodes
1971Love, American StylePeter FergusonSeason 2 Episode 23
1971God Bless Mr. FergusonPerformerTelevision Movie
1973The Bob Newhart ShowRev. Daniel BradfordEpisode: Somebody Down Here Likes Me
1974Harry OJordan BriggsEpisode: The Admiral's Lady
1975CannonSen. Arlen AndrewsEpisode: Nightmare
1975Fear on TrialTom MurrayTelevision Movie
1975-76PhyllisJerome Patterson2 episodes
1976FayPerformerEpisode: Fay and the Doctor
1976The Rockford FilesTimson FarrellEpisode: The Fourth Man
1976The Fatal WeaknessPaul EspenshadeTelevision Movie
1976The Mary Tyler Moore ShowBarry MunroeEpisode: Mary Gets a Lawyer
1978The Defection of Simas KudirkaPhillip ChadwayTelevision Movie
1979Dear DetectivePerformerEpisode #1.4
1980The Greatest Man in the WorldAmes HerbertTelevision Movie
1981Hart to HartCole MorefeldEpisode: Murder Wrap
1975-81Great PerformancesPerformer2 episodes
1983The Last NinjaMr. CosmoTelevision Movie
1982-84American PlayhousePerformer2 episodes
1984-86Magnum, P.I.Jason Bryan/Bill Campbell2 episodes
1985-86Falcon CrestJulian J. Roberts8 episodes
1986MurrowFrank StantonTelevision Movie
1986Kay O'BrienJack O'BrienEpisode: Don't Bother Kayo It's Chinatown
1987The Golden GirlsFather Frank LeahyEpisode: Forgive Me, Father
1987-89Beauty and the BeastCharles Chandler4 episodes
1988LincolnSalmon P. Chase2 episodes
1988Roots: The GiftEdmund Parker Sr.Television Movie
1989TattingersFrederick LundEpisode: Broken Windows
1989Day OneDr. Arthur ComptonTelevision Movie
1989CheersDr. Lawrence CrandellEpisode: The Visiting Lecher
1991Separate But EqualGov. James F. ByrnesTelevision Miniseries
1985-91Murder, She WroteVarious Roles4 episodes
1992Empty NestRev. ChambersEpisode: The Son of a Preacherman
1992Citizen CohnOlder DoctorTelevision Movie
1992SistersJ.D. FitzwayEpisode: Portrait of the Artists
1990-92CoachJudge Watkins2 episodes
1993GhostwriterAlan CharlesEpisode: Who's Who - Part 3
1993BobDr. O'ReillyEpisode: Better to How Loved and Flossed
1994FrasierFletcher GreyEpisode: And the Whimper Is...
1997-98Touched by an AngelEarl Gray/Ed Greeley2 episodes
1999Spin CitySen. Joseph GradyEpisode: The Thanksgiving Show
2000OzLars Nathan2 episodes
2001Further Tales of the CityRoyal Reichenbach3 episodes
1992-09Law & OrderVarious Roles5 episodes
2015Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtGrantEpisode: Kimmy Goes on a Date

Stage

Broadway

YearTitleRoleVenue
1961The Conquering HeroForrest NobleANTA Washington Square Theatre
1961Blood, Sweat and Stanley PoolePerformerAmbassador Theatre
1963Children From Their GamesSidney BalzerMorosco Theatre
1963A Rainy Day in NewarkEdward L. VoorheesBelasco Theater
1966Sweet CharityOscarPalace Theatre
1971-72FolliesBenjamin StoneWinter Garden Theatre
1972-73The Great God BrownDion AnthonyLyceum Theatre
1972-73Don JuanSganarelle
1973Sondheim: A Musical TributePerformerBenefit Concert, Shubert Theatre
1973-74The VisitAnton SchillEthel Barrymore Theatre
1973-74Chemin de FerFedot
1974Love for LoveForesightHelen Hayes Theatre
1974 The Rules of the GameLeone Gala
1980Happy New YearNarratorMorosco Theater
1982Solomon's ChildAllanLittle Theatre
1982A Little Family BusinessBenMartin Beck Theatre
1989Artist Descending a StaircaseDonnerHelen Hayes Theatre
1994-97Show BoatCap'n AndyGershwin Theatre
1998High SocietyUncle WillieSt. James Theatre
2002Into the WoodsMysterious Man/NarratorBroadhurst Theatre
2004PassionDoctor TambourriSpecial benefit concert
2006Grey GardensJ.V. "Major" Bouvier
Norman Vincent Peale
Walter Kerr Theatre
2007Is He Dead?Papa LerouxLyceum Theatre
2009Chance & ChemistryPerformerMinskoff Theatre
2010Sondheim: The Birthday ConcertPerformerNew York Philharmonic
2010A Free Man of ColorThomas JeffersonVivian Beaumont Theatre
2011Anything GoesElisha WhitneyStephen Sondheim Theatre
2014All the WayRichard Russell, Jr.Neil Simon Theatre

Off-Broadway

YearTitleRoleVenue
1959Little Mary SunshineCpl."Billy" JesterCherry Lane Theatre
1964Too Much JohnsonMr. BillingsPhoenix Theatre
1977The MisanthropeAlcesteThe Public Theatre
1988Julius CaesarJulius Caesar
2005Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb StoryParole Board (voiceover)York Theatre
2006Grey GardensMajor Bouvier
Norman Vincent Peale
Playwrights Horizons
2006Indian BloodEddie's GrandfatherPrimary Stages Theatre
2008Saturn ReturnsPerformerMitzi E. Newhouse Theatre
2013The Explorer's ClubPerformerManhattan Theatre Club

Other Theatre Credits

YearTitleRoleVenue
1977FolliesBenjamin StoneNational Tour
1991A Little Night MusicFrederick EgermanBerkshire Theatre Festival
Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles
1996-98Show BoatCap'n AndyNational Tour
2002The VisitAntonGoodman Theatre, Chicago,
2010Paradise FoundShahWest End

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Title Result
1960Theatre World AwardN/ALittle Mary SunshineWon
1966Tony AwardBest Featured Actor - MusicalSweet CharityNominated
1973Best Featured Actor in a PlayDon JuanNominated
1973Drama Desk AwardOutstanding PerformanceWon
1973Outstanding PerformanceThe Great God BrownWon
1995Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalShow BoatNominated
1998Best Featured Actor in a MusicalHigh SocietyNominated
1998Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalNominated
1998Outer Critics Circle AwardBest Featured Actor in a MusicalNominated
2002Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalInto the WoodsNominated
2006Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalGrey GardensNominated
2011Outer Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalAnything GoesNominated
2014Outstanding Featured Actor in a PlayAll the WayNominated

Honor

References

  1. Simonson, Robert (July 7, 2016). "John McMartin, Seasoned Stage Actor, Dies at 86". Playbill. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  2. Some sources inaccurately cite the date as November 18, 1929.
  3. Grimes, William (2016-07-12). "John McMartin, 86, versatile and prolific actor of stage, screen". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  4. Kaufmann, Stanley. "Theater: Show That Wants to Be Loved; 'Sweet Charity' Opens at Refurbished Palace" The New York Times (abstract), January 31, 1966, p. 22
  5. Canby, Vincent. The New York Times movie review, Sweet Charity, April 2, 1969
  6. "'Follies' listing, Broadway 1971", sondheimguide.com; accessed August 26, 2012
  7. "1990-91 SEASON; A Little Night Music, April 18-June 30, 1991" centertheatregroup.org (webcache.googleusercontent.com), accessed August 26, 2012
  8. Willis, John. "Ahmanson Theatre" Theatre World 1990-1991, Vol. 47 (books.google.com), Hal Leonard Corporation, 1992, ISBN 1557831254, p. 121
  9. O'Connor, Thomas. "REVIEW;'Night Music' makes its way to Doolittle", Orange County Register (California), April 19, 1991, SHOW; p. 18.
  10. Gans, Andrew. "Fifth Time the Charm for John McMartin?: 'Into the Woods' Star Talks Sondheim", Playbill, May 23, 2002
  11. "'Into the Woods', 2002 Broadway Revival Production", sondheimguide.com, accessed August 26, 2012
  12. Brantley, Ben. "Theater Review; Sondheim Reprise Puts Music Ahead of the Journey", The New York Times (abstract), May 1, 2002 (Late Edition), Section E; Column 2; Arts/Cultural Desk; p. 1
  13. Rich, Frank (December 16, 1982). "'Family Business', with Angela Lansbury". The New York Times. p. C15.
  14. Lefkowitz, David. "John McMartin Returning to 'Show Boat' Nov. 5" Archived February 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Playbill, October 28, 1996
  15. Haun, Harry. "Uncle Of The Bride: John McMartin in 'High Society'" Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine Playbill, May 21, 1998
  16. Suskin, Steven (March 9, 2010). "Frank Loesser". Show Tunes: The Songs, Shows, and Careers of Broadway's Major Composers. Oxford University Press. p. 242. ISBN 978-0-1998-8615-9.
  17. Lardner, James (October 10, 1979). "Taking Another Stand on 'Custer'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  18. Jones, Kenneth."Bow Voyage Extended: 'Anything Goes' Will Steam Into April 2012, With Sutton Foster on the Bow", Playbill, September 19, 2011.
  19. John McMartin at IMDb
  20. "John McMartin Obituary". The New York Times. July 6, 2016.
  21. Gans, Andrew. "Redgrave, Schwartz, Lloyd Webber and More Inducted Into Theater Hall of Fame Jan. 25". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
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