Cause of death Heart failure Spouse Eva Ralf (m. ?–1995) Role American actor | Name John Howard Years active 1934-1978 Children Dale Richard Howard | |
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Full Name John Richard Cox, Jr. Born April 14, 1913 ( 1913-04-14 ) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. Alma mater Case Western Reserve University Died February 19, 1995, Santa Rosa, California, United States Education Case Western Reserve University Movies The Philadelphia Story, Lost Horizon, Bulldog Drummond's Peril, Bulldog Drummond Comes B, Bulldog Drummond's Secret Po Similar People Sam Newfield, Louis King, George Cukor, A Edward Sutherland, John Brahm | ||
John Howard (April 14, 1913 – February 19, 1995) was an American actor noted for his work in both film and television.
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Early life
Born John Richard Cox Jr. in Cleveland, Ohio, he was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of what now is Case Western Reserve University. At college he discovered a love for the theater, and took part in student productions.
Career
The film reference Whodoneit! A Film Guide commented that Howard "became a contract player for Paramount, working in a dozen pictures before getting his first memorable role as Ronald Colman's younger brother in Lost Horizon."
"He soon took over for Colman in the Bulldog Drummond series of films, starring in seven of the features (1937–39), and maintaining the film version of the detective." Howard's next major assignment was as Katharine Hepburn's fiancé in The Philadelphia Story (1940), competing for her amorous attentions with characters played by Cary Grant and James Stewart.
Military service
Howard served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant (jg) -- equivalent to an Army first lieutenant -- during World War II, eventually as executive officer aboard the minesweeper USS YMS-24 aboard which he participated in landing operations on Italy at Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio, and deception operations against the island of Sardinia and southern France. When his vessel struck a mine off the French coast on August 16, 1944, killing the captain and severely damaging the ship, Howard took command and fought to save his ship and crew, even jumping into the sea several times and saving at least one wounded crewman. For his actions he was awarded both the US Navy Cross and the French Croix de Guerre, that country's highest military honor.
Return to acting
Upon his return to Hollywood, Howard was given the lead in smaller projects, but limited to supporting roles in feature pictures. Even his performance as Laraine Day's husband in The High and the Mighty (1954) did not generate opportunities to break the pattern. Howard did make his Broadway debut in 1953 in Hazel Flagg where he met his future wife, the ballerina and actress Eva Ralf.
Howard then played the lead in two American television series -- Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal and later Adventures of the Sea Hawk in 1958. He formed a friendship with Fred MacMurray, star of the TV series My Three Sons, and was a regular guest star on the show, playing MacMurray's boss. Howard became one of the first screen actors to commit to working in the new field of television and continued to make occasional film appearances until the mid-1970s. Early in 1961, he guest starred as Captain Chilcoath in the episode "Rebellion at Blazing Rock" of the 17-week NBC series, The Americans.
Career change to education
In time, Howard moved into academia. He taught English at Highland Hall Waldorf School for more than twenty years and helped to start the high school program at the institution.
Death
Howard died in 1995 of heart failure, aged 81, in Santa Rosa, California. He was survived by his wife Eva and their four children, Daniel, Deborah, Dale, and Deirdre. Dale went on to become an actor and director and the father of actor Noël John Howard. Howard also was honored a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.