Skip to main content
▶ WHOPLAYSNOW
John Gavin

John Gavin

John Gavin (April 8, 1931 – February 9, 2018) was an American actor who was the United States Ambassador to Mexico (1981–86) and the president of the Screen Actors Guild (1971–73). He was best known for his performances in the films Imitation of Life (1959), Spartacus (1960), Psycho (1960), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), playing leading roles in a series of films for producer Ross Hunter. Born Juan Vincent Apablasa Jr., Gavin was of Mexican, Chilean and Spanish descent, and was fluent in Spanish. His father, Juan Vincent Apablasa Sr., was of Chilean origin, and his paternal ancestors, including Cayetano Apablasa, were early landowners in California under Spanish rule. Gavin's mother was Delia Diana Pablos. Gavin’s parents divorced when he was about two years old. Gavin’s mother married Herald Ray Golenor, who adopted Gavin and changed his name to John Anthony Golenor.

Known for

Disclosure
Disclosure
2020 • Sam Loomis (archive footage)
The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
2002
24 Hour Psycho
24 Hour Psycho
1993 • Sam Loomis (archive footage)
Sophia Loren: Her Own Story
Sophia Loren: Her Own Story
1980 • Cary Grant
The New Adventures of Heidi
The New Adventures of Heidi
1978 • Dan Wyler
Jennifer
Jennifer
1978 • Senator Tremayne
Doctors' Private Lives
Doctors' Private Lives
1978 • Dr. Jeffrey Latimer
House of Shadows
House of Shadows
1976 • Roland Stewart

Full filmography

Disclosure
Disclosure
2020 • Sam Loomis (archive footage)
View movie
24 Hour Psycho
24 Hour Psycho
1993 • Sam Loomis (archive footage)
View movie
Jennifer
Jennifer
1978 • Senator Tremayne
View movie
Doctors' Private Lives
Doctors' Private Lives
1978 • Dr. Jeffrey Latimer
View movie
House of Shadows
House of Shadows
1976 • Roland Stewart
View movie
Keep It in the Family
Keep It in the Family
1973 • Roy McDonald
View movie
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
1970 • Charlie Harrison (Grant Granite)
View movie
Cutter's Trail
Cutter's Trail
1970 • Ben Cutter
View movie
OSS 117 Murder for Sale
OSS 117 Murder for Sale
1968 • Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath
View movie
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie
1967 • Trevor Graydon
View movie
Pedro Paramo
Pedro Paramo
1967 • Pedro Páramo
View movie
The Solid Gold Girl
The Solid Gold Girl
1964 • Harrison Destry
View movie
Back Street
Back Street
1961 • Paul Saxon
View movie
Tammy Tell Me True
Tammy Tell Me True
1961 • Thomas 'Tom' Freeman
View movie
Romanoff and Juliet
Romanoff and Juliet
1961 • Igor Romanoff
View movie
Spartacus
Spartacus
1960 • Julius Caesar
View movie
Midnight Lace
Midnight Lace
1960 • Brian Younger
View movie
Psycho
Psycho
1960 • Sam Loomis
View movie
A Breath of Scandal
A Breath of Scandal
1960 • Charles Foster
View movie
Imitation of Life
Imitation of Life
1959 • Steve Archer
View movie
Quantez
Quantez
1957 • Teach
View movie
Behind the High Wall
Behind the High Wall
1956 • Johnny Hutchins
View movie
Raw Edge
Raw Edge
1956 • Dan Kirby (as John Gilmore)
View movie