Cause of death Stroke Years active 1933–1993 | Name John Beal Role Actor | |
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Full Name James Alexander Bliedung Occupation Film and television actor Children Tandy Johanna, Theodora Emily Movies The Vampire, Ten Who Dared, One Thrilling Night, Amityville 3‑D, The Cat and the Canary Similar People Helen Craig, William Beaudine, Harry Horner, Lew Landers, Elliott Nugent | ||
John Beal (August 13, 1909 – April 26, 1997) was an American actor.
Contents
Early years
Beal was born James Alexander Bliedung in Joplin, Missouri. His father had a department store, and Beal went to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania "mapped for a commercial career." While at Wharton, Beal (who enrolled under his real name, James Alexander Bliedung) spent time drawing cartoons for the school's humor magazine and singing in productions of the Mask and Wig club.
Stage
Soon after graduating from college in 1930, Beal began acting with the Hedgerow Theatre. Beal originally went to New York to study art but a chance to understudy in a play made him change his mind. He went on to appear in Russet Mantle and She Loves Me.
Film
Beal began acting in the 1930s, opposite Katharine Hepburn (in the 1934 RKO film The Little Minister), among others; one of his notable screen appearances was as Marius Pontmercy in Les Misérables (1935). He continued appearing in films during the war years while serving in Special Services and the First Motion Picture Unit as actor and director of Army Air Forces camp shows and training films.
Beal had starring roles in the film dramas Alimony (1949) and My Six Convicts (1952).
Television
In the 1950s, Beal also began appearing in various television shows, including the title role of mining engineer Philip Deidesheimer in a 1959 episode of Bonanza, "The Deidesheimer Story".
He was hired to play the role of Jim Matthews in the television soap opera Another World when the show went on the air in 1964, but was fired by creator and headwriter Irna Phillips after only one episode.
He appeared in The Waltons, season 3, episode 13, "The Visitor", first aired in December, 1974. His character was a former neighbor, Mason Beardsley, an elderly man who returned to Waltons Mountain to live with his wife who he was expecting in a few days. The Walton family were excited for him and helped to fix up his home, only to learn that his wife had died a year earlier and, unable to accept this fact, he continued to look for her.
He continued to work in films and television, notably as Judge Vail in the supernatural soap opera Dark Shadows (for 9 episodes), and also the theater up until the 1980s. Beal died at age 87 in Santa Cruz, California, two years after suffering a stroke.
Personal life
Beal was married to actress Helen Craig. They had two daughters, Theodora Emily and Tandy Johanna.
Filmography
Actor
1993
The Firm as
Nathan Locke
1990
The Kid Who Loved Christmas (TV Movie) as
Cameron
1988
A Place at the Table (TV Movie) as
Jim Wilson
1987
A Year in the Life (TV Series) as
Turkey Farmer
- So Much Water So Close to Home (1987) - Turkey Farmer
1983
Amityville 3-D as
Harold Caswell
1979
Jennifer: A Woman's Story (TV Movie) as
Prof. Eric Wohlstrom
1977
Barnaby Jones (TV Series) as
Stanley Long
- Prisoner of Deceit (1977) - Stanley Long
1977
Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (TV Movie) as
Dr. Carr
1976
Family (TV Series) as
James Lawrence
- On the First Day of Christmas (1976) - James Lawrence
- Skeleton in the Closet (1976) - James Lawrence
1976
Ark II (TV Series) as
Grandfather
- The Balloon (1976) - Grandfather
1976
The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series) as
Chuck Moran
- In Case of Madness (1976) - Chuck Moran
1976
The Adams Chronicles (TV Mini Series) as
Charles Francis Adams
- Chapter XIII: Charles Francis Adams II, Industrialist (1976) - Charles Francis Adams
- Chapter XII: Henry Adams, Historian (1976) - Charles Francis Adams
- Chapter XI: Charles Francis Adams, Minister to Great Britain (1976) - Charles Francis Adams
1975
The Blue Knight (TV Series) as
Doc Lazar
- Triple Threat (1975) - Doc Lazar
1975
The Legend of Lizzie Borden (TV Movie) as
Dr. Bowen
1974
The Waltons (TV Series) as
Mason Beardsley
- The Visitor (1974) - Mason Beardsley
1974
Lincoln (TV Mini Series) as
Senator Fogelson
- Mrs. Lincoln's Husband (1974) - Senator Fogelson
1974
Kojak (TV Series) as
McKinney
- Down a Long and Lonely River (1974) - McKinney
1974
Hawkins (TV Series) as
Judge
- Candidate for Murder (1974) - Judge
1973
The Bride as
Father
1970
Dark Shadows (TV Series) as
Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1197 (1971) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1186 (1971) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1185 (1971) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1181 (1971) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1179 (1970) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1178 (1970) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1174 (1970) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1166 (1970) - Judge Vail
- Episode #1.1165 (1970) - Judge Vail
1970
The Jackie Gleason Show (TV Series) as
George Marshall
- The Honeymooners: Operation Protest (1970) - George Marshall
1969
This Town Will Never Be the Same (TV Movie) as
Pirelli
1968
A Case of Libel (TV Movie) as
Coles
1967
NET Playhouse (TV Series)
- An Evening Journey to Conway Massachusetts (1967)
1967
Coronet Blue (TV Series) as
Maurice Straigh
- A Dozen Demons (1967) - Maurice Straigh
1965
For the People (TV Series) as
Arthur Genessee
- With Intent to Influence (1965) - Arthur Genessee
1964
Another World (TV Series) as
Jim Matthews
- Episode #1.1 (1964) - Jim Matthews
1962
The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series) as
Dr. Henden / Mr. Hendon
- The Imperfect Prodigy (1964) - Mr. Hendon
- Two Black Candles (1962) - Dr. Henden
- Dr. Lillian (1962) - Dr. Henden
- The Barbara Bowers Story (1962) - Dr. Henden
1964
East Side/West Side (TV Series) as
Ross
- The Beatnik and the Politician (1964) - Ross
1964
The Lieutenant (TV Series) as
Ben Rice
- Gone the Sun (1964) - Ben Rice
1957
The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) as
Col. Bill Wheeler / Steven Barlow / Mr. Hare
- The Soldier Ran Away (1963) - Col. Bill Wheeler
- Farewell to Innocence (1962)
- Whisper of Evil (1959) - Steven Barlow
- Little Charlie Don't Want a Saddle (1957) - Mr. Hare
1962
The Defenders (TV Series) as
Dr. Roth
- Madman: Part 2 (1962) - Dr. Roth
- Madman: Part 1 (1962) - Dr. Roth
1960
Ten Who Dared as
Maj. John Wesley Powell
1960
Road to Reality (TV Series) as
Dr. Lewis
1960
The Alaskans (TV Series) as
Cass Wilson
- The Bride Wore Black (1960) - Cass Wilson
1960
One Step Beyond (TV Series) as
Otto Becher
- The Lovers (1960) - Otto Becher
1959
Bonanza (TV Series) as
Phillip Diedesheimer
- The Philip Diedesheimer Story (1959) - Phillip Diedesheimer
1959
The Loretta Young Show (TV Series) as
Father
- The Strangers That Came to Town (1959) - Father
1959
The Sound and the Fury as
Howard Compson
1959
The Ann Sothern Show (TV Series) as
Nathaniel
- Three Loves Has Katy (1959) - Nathaniel
1958
The Millionaire (TV Series) as
Paul Naylor
- The Paul Naylor Story (1958) - Paul Naylor
1958
Suspicion (TV Series)
- The Bull Skinner (1958)
1958
Matinee Theatre (TV Series)
- Anxious Night (1958)
1957
That Night! as
Commuter Christopher J. Bowden
1954
Studio One (TV Series) as
Maj. Saks / Samuel Edison / Juror #2
- The Human Barrier (1957) - Maj. Saks
- The Boy Who Changed the World (1954) - Samuel Edison
- Twelve Angry Men (1954) - Juror #2
1957
The Vampire as
Dr. Paul Beecher
1952
Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series) as
Adam Waring
- The Princess Back Home (1957) - Adam Waring
- Tigers Don't Sing (1952)
1956
Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) as
Birger Dahlerus / Ken, the Commuter
- The Week the World Stood Still (1957) - Birger Dahlerus
- The Long Way Home (1956) - Ken, the Commuter
1954
The Elgin Hour (TV Series) as
Harvey
- High Man (1954) - Harvey
1954
General Electric Theater (TV Series) as
John Desmond
- You Are Young Only Once (1954) - John Desmond
1954
Inner Sanctum (TV Series) as
Tim / Vic
- Watcher by the Dead (1954) - Tim
- Cat Calls (1954) - Vic
1954
The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) as
Father James Gallagher
- The Good of His Soul (1954) - Father James Gallagher
1953
The Philip Morris Playhouse (TV Series) as
Chris Stewart
- A Soldier's Return (1954)
- To Love and to Cherish (1953)
- Room 203 (1953) - Chris Stewart
1954
Omnibus (TV Series) as
Francis (segment "The Duchess and the Smugs")
- The Duchess and the Smugs (1954) - Francis (segment "The Duchess and the Smugs")
1953
Campbell Summer Soundstage (TV Series)
- The Meaning of Truth (1953)
1953
Kraft Theatre (TV Series)
- The Intruder (1953)
1953
Remains to Be Seen as
Dr. Glenson
1949
The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series) as
Ludie
- The Trip to Bountiful (1953) - Ludie
- Something's Got to Give (1949)
1953
The Trip to Bountiful (TV Movie) as
Ludie Watts
1952
Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series)
- Double Exposure (1952)
1952
My Six Convicts as
Doc
1952
Hallmark Hall of Fame (TV Series) as
Roger Williams
- The Story of Roger Williams (1952) - Roger Williams
1951
Personal Appearance Theater (TV Series)
- House Guest (1951)
1950
Lights Out (TV Series)
- The Crushed Rose (1951)
- The Waxwork (1950)
1951
Nash Airflyte Theatre (TV Series)
- The Professor's Punch (1951)
1951
Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (TV Series) as
Charley Bemis
- The Wisdom Tooth (1951) - Charley Bemis
1950
Musical Comedy Time (TV Series) as
Bilge
- Hit the Deck (1950) - Bilge
1949
Chicago Deadline as
Paul Jean d'Ur
1949
Song of Surrender as
Dubois
1949
The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre (TV Series)
- The Birthday Party (1949)
1949
Colgate Theatre (TV Series)
- Something's Got to Give (1949)
1949
Alimony as
Dan Barker
1949
Your Show Time (TV Series)
- The Necklace (1949)
1948
So Dear to My Heart as
Jeremiah as an Adult - Narrator (voice)
1947
Messenger of Peace as
Pastor Armin Ritter
1947
Key Witness as
Milton Higby
1945
Land and Live in the Desert (Short) as
Sam - Skipper (uncredited)
1943
Eyes Aloft (Short) as
Major (uncredited)
1943
Photographic Intelligence for Bombardment Aviation (Documentary short) as
Major Dean (uncredited)
1943
Edge of Darkness as
Johann Stensgard
1943
Let's Have Fun as
Richard Gilbert
1942
Stand by All Networks as
Ben Fallon
1942
Atlantic Convoy as
Carl Hansen
1942
One Thrilling Night as
Horace Jason
1941
Doctors Don't Tell as
Dr. Ralph Sawyer
1941
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime as
Walter Matthews
1939
The Cat and the Canary as
Fred Blythe
1939
The Great Commandment as
Joel
1938
The Arkansas Traveler as
John 'Johnnie' Daniels
1938
I Am the Law as
Paul Ferguson
1938
Port of Seven Seas as
Marius
1937
Beg, Borrow or Steal as
Count Bill Cherau
1937
Danger Patrol as
Dan Loring
1937
Double Wedding as
Waldo Beaver
1937
Madame X as
Raymond Fleuriot
1937
Border Cafe as
Keith Whitney
1937
The Man Who Found Himself as
Jim Stanton
1936
We Who Are About to Die as
John E. 'Johnny' Thompson
1936
M'Liss as
Stephen Thorne
1935
Break of Hearts as
Johnny Lawrence
1935
Les Misérables as
Marius
1935
Laddie as
Laddie Stanton
1934
The Little Minister as
Gavin
1934
Hat, Coat, and Glove as
Jerry Hutchins
1933
Another Language as
Jerry
Soundtrack
1949
Alimony (performer: "Lullaby")
1948
So Dear to My Heart (performer: "So Dear to My Heart" - uncredited)
1937
Border Cafe ("Celito Lindo", uncredited) / (performer: "How Dry I Am" - uncredited)
1935
Break of Hearts (performer: "Wedding March" (1842) - uncredited)
Self
1955
Hollywood Preview (TV Series) as
Self - Actor
- Episode #1.6 (1955) - Self - Actor
1955
Lamp Unto My Feet (TV Series)
- As the Twig is Bent (1955)
1953
Freedom Rings (TV Series) as
Host (1953)
1950
Penthouse Party (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.18 (1951) - Self
- Episode #1.16 (1950) - Self
1949
We, the People (TV Series) as
Self - Actor
- Bernar Macfadden, Corinne Calvet, John Beal, Gussie Moran, Joseph Hackel (1949) - Self - Actor
1945
Know Your Enemy - Japan (Documentary) as
Narrator (uncredited)
1943
The First Motion Picture Unit (Documentary short) as
Member of the Unit at Attention (uncredited)
1941
Picture People No. 3: Hobbies of the Stars (Short) as
Self
Archive Footage
2008
The Naked Archaeologist (TV Series documentary) as
Joel
- Apostles & Spies: Part 2 (2010) - Joel
- Apostles & Spies: Part 1 (2010) - Joel
- The Hairy Show (2010) - Joel
- The Bath That Changed History (2010) - Joel
- Biblical Beauty Secrets (2010) - Joel
- Holy Threads (2008) - Joel
- Who Were the Danites (2008) - Joel
- What Happened to the JC Bunch? Part 3: The Early Christian Underground (2008) - Joel
- What Happened to the JC Bunch? (2008) - Joel
- The Miracle Workers of Galilee (2008) - Joel
- Jewish Rome (2008) - Joel
- Decoding Ezekiel's Vision (2008) - Joel
- The Legacy of King Solomon: Part 1 (2008) - Joel
- Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness - Joel
1993
Katharine Hepburn: All About Me (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1992
Dracula in the Movies (Video documentary) as
Self
1968
The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) as
Major John Wesley Powell
- Ten Who Dared (1968) - Major John Wesley Powell
References
John Beal (actor) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA