John Gavin

April 8, 1931 - February 9, 2018 Los Angeles, California, USA
IMDb

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.

His titles like Psycho, Spartacus, and Imitation of Life - his biggest roles first.
Last updated: August 18, 2026

Watched: 0/27
Weighted avg: 7.87 /10
  • 1
    1
    1960June 1960 by Alfred Hitchcock
    Supporting as Sam Loomis
    Supporting as Sam Loomis
    8.15 Excellent++
  • 2
    2
    1960October 1960 by Stanley Kubrick
    Supporting as Julius Caesar
    Supporting as Julius Caesar
    7.17 Good++
  • 3
    3
    1959April 1959 by Douglas Sirk
    Starring as Steve Archer
    Starring as Steve Archer
    6.89 Good+
  • 4
    4
    1958July 1958 by Douglas Sirk
    Lead role as Ernst Graeber
    Lead role as Ernst Graeber
    6.53 Good-
  • 5
    5
    1960October 1960 by David Miller
    Starring as Brian Younger
    Starring as Brian Younger
    6.09 Okay++
  • 6
    6
    1967March 1967 by George Roy Hill
    Supporting as Trevor Graydon
    Supporting as Trevor Graydon
    6.28 Good--
  • 7
    7
    1967January 1967 by Carlos Velo
    Lead role as Pedro Páramo
    Lead role as Pedro Páramo
    6.27 Good--
  • 8
    8
    1968July 1968 by Renzo Cerrato
    Lead role as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath
    Lead role as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath
    5.77 Okay+
  • 9
    9
    1970March 1970 by Rod Amateau
    Starring as Charlie Harrison (Grant Granite)
    Starring as Charlie Harrison (Grant Granite)
    5.25 Okay-
  • 10
    10
    1961October 1961 by David Miller
    Starring as Paul Saxon
    Starring as Paul Saxon
    5.76 Okay+
  • 11
    11
    1960March 1960 by Michael Curtiz
    Starring as Charles Foster
    Starring as Charles Foster
    5.73 Okay+
  • 12
    12
    1978May 1978 by Brice Mack
    Supporting as Senator Tremayne
    Supporting as Senator Tremayne
    5.84 Okay+
  • 13
    13
    1961July 1961 by Harry Keller
    Starring as Thomas 'Tom' Freeman
    Starring as Thomas 'Tom' Freeman
    Needs more reviews
  • 14
    14
    1956July 1956 by Abner Biberman
    Supporting as Johnny Hutchins
    Supporting as Johnny Hutchins
    5.81 Okay+
  • 15
    15
    1980October 1980 by Mel Stuart
    Starring as Cary Grant
    Starring as Cary Grant
    5.82 Okay+
  • 16
    16
    1969October 1969 by Bryan Forbes
    Supporting as The Reverend
    Supporting as The Reverend
    6.18 Good--
  • 17
    17
    1961June 1961 by Peter Ustinov
    Starring as Igor Romanoff
    Starring as Igor Romanoff
    Needs more reviews
  • 18
    18
    1956March 1956 by John Sherwood
    Minor role as Dan Kirby (as John Gilmore)
    Minor role as Dan Kirby (as John Gilmore)
    5.95 Okay++
  • 19
    19
    1957September 1957 by Harry Keller
    Supporting as Teach
    Supporting as Teach
    5.88 Okay+
  • 20
    20
    1970February 1970 by Vincent McEveety
    Lead role as Ben Cutter
    Lead role as Ben Cutter
    Needs more reviews
  • 21
    21
    1964
    Lead role
    Lead role
    Needs more reviews
  • 22
    22
    1973April 1973 by Larry Kent
    Lead role as Roy McDonald
    Lead role as Roy McDonald
    Needs more reviews
  • 23
    23
    1976January 1976 by Ricardo Wullicher
    Starring as Roland Stewart
    Starring as Roland Stewart
    Needs more reviews
  • 24
    24
    1965
    Starring as Comdr. Dan Talbot
    Starring as Comdr. Dan Talbot
    Needs more reviews
  • 25
    25
    1978December 1978 by Ralph Senensky
    Supporting as Dan Wyler
    Supporting as Dan Wyler
    Needs more reviews
  • 26
    26
    1957January 1957 by Jack Sher
    Supporting as Tom Grant
    Supporting as Tom Grant
    Needs more reviews
  • 27
    27
    2002June 2002 by Nancy De Los Santos
    Minor role
    Minor role
    Needs more reviews
Co-starring with:
Sophia Loren 2 titles
Peter Ustinov 2 titles
Vera Miles 2 titles
Ian McShane 1 title
Anthony Perkins 1 title
Joseph Cotten 1 title
Julie Andrews 1 title
Yul Brynner 1 title
Esai Morales 1 title