John Gavin Success Story

Gavin was a member of Stanford Naval ROTC unit. During the Korean War, Gavin was commissioned in U.S. Navy where he served offshore in Korea and due to his proficiency in Spanish and Latin, he was assigned as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Milton E. Miles during his four year tour duty in 1955.

Highlights

Gavin got his biggest break when he bagged the lead role in ‘A Time to Love and a Time to Die'(1958) adapted from Erich Maria Remarque's novel. His film, ‘Imitation of Life' (1959) was a box office hit. He was cast in the classic thriller ‘Pyscho’ (1960) directed Alfred Hitchcock. Gavin acted in the 1960 thriller, ‘Midnight Lace’, in comedies ‘A breath of Scandal’, ‘Romanoff and Juliet’ and ‘Tammy Tell Me True’. He appeared in an episode of ‘The Alfred Hitchcock Hour’ aired on television.

In early 1964, Gavin starred in TV series, ‘Destry’. In 1970, Gavin made a successful entry into theatre.

Gavin was a cultural advisor to the Organization of American States from 1961 to 1965. In June 1981, he was appointed as the U.S ambassador to Mexico. He was the president at various companies such as Universal Satellite Communications, a Spanish broadcasting empire and Gamma Holdings, a global capital and consulting company.

Recognition

In 1954, Gavin was suitably awarded for his service in Honduras Floods. He was serving in the U.S. Navy.

Personal Life

Gavin married Cicely Evans in 1957. They have two children. The marriage ended in divorce. Gavin later married Constance Towers, a stage and television actress. She had two children from her earlier marriage to Eugene McGrath.

Bette Rogge interviews John Gavin and Edward Everett Horton