John Alvin
Known for Acting · 99 credits
- Born
- 1917-10-24
- Died
- 2009-02-27
- Place of birth
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Also known as
- John Alvin Hoffstadt
Biography
John Alvin, born John Alvin Hoffstadt was an American film, stage and television actor. Alvin was signed with Warner Brothers Studios for an exclusive four-year contract during the World War II era, although he was "borrowed" by 20th Century Fox to appear in 1944's Oscar-nominated The Fighting Sullivans. He appeared in more than 25 Warner Brothers films during this time, including Northern Pursuit (which starred Errol Flynn), The Beast with Five Fingers, The Very Thought of You, and Objective, Burma!. His pictures after the contract period included Irma la Douce, Inside Daisy Clover, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, and Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie. However, it was his role in the 1943 film Destination Tokyo, in which he co-starred with John Garfield and Cary Grant, that left the largest impression on Alvin. Years later, in a 2006 interview, Alvin credited Grant with having a major impact on his career path: "I learned more about show business from him than from anyone. He was very attentive and helpful."
Alvin later enjoyed a separate television career, which spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s. His television credits included various roles on Leave It to Beaver, All in the Family, Lou Grant, Dragnet, General Hospital, Murder, She Wrote, Starsky and Hutch, The Incredible Hulk and I Spy. Alvin's also appeared in numerous television commercials advertising for such products as Mattel, H&R Block, McDonald's, Porsche and Audi.
Alvin's theater repertoire included Send Me No Flowers, The Student Prince, The Chicago Conspiracy Trial and The Cradle Will Rock. He also appeared in a production of Rain, which was directed by Charlie Chaplin.
He largely retired from acting in the 1990s; his final film appearance was in 1994's Milk Money. During his retirement, Alvin often showed his movies for audiences at the Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, an organization for senior citizens based in Thousand Oaks, California.
Known For
TV Shows (46)
Perry Mason
1957
as Sam Walsh / Phil - Bank Teller / Assistant Bank Manager
Murder, She Wrote
1984
as Mr. Tucker / Dr. Frazier
The Rifleman
1958
My Three Sons
1960
M*A*S*H
1972
as Bowman
The Beverly Hillbillies
1962
as Harry Barth / Photographer
Get Smart
1965
as Dr. Rhinehouse
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
1950
as The Wonder Glue Pitchman
Petticoat Junction
1963
as Mr. Kimberly
The Lone Ranger
1949
as Sid
Climax!
1954
as Sir Roscoe Crosby
The Lucy Show
1962
as Director
Leave It to Beaver
1957
Hart to Hart
1979
as Clark
Four Star Playhouse
1952
as Third Mate / Clerk
Cheyenne
1955
Dragnet
1951
All in the Family
1971
as Bailiff
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
1957
as Doc
The Incredible Hulk
1977
as Dr. Patterson
One Step Beyond
1959
as Bradley
The Millionaire
1955
as Defense Atty. Bill Irvin / Prosecuting Attorney
Amazing Stories
1985
as Professor Rand
Starsky & Hutch
1975
as Grocer
The Munsters
1964
as Mr. Franklin
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964
as Doctor
Navy Log
1955
Family Affair
1966
Racket Squad
1951
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959
as Photographer
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
1974
as Dr. Carrie
87th Precinct
1961
Dangerous Assignment
1952
Cain's Hundred
1961
as Norman Reno
Bronco
1958
as Jim March
The Lone Wolf
1954
as Johnson
Wire Service
1956
as Chief Dispatcher
Hopalong Cassidy
1952
The Whistler
1954
The Second Hundred Years
1967
as Mark Tolliver / John
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
1955
as Keegle
Hey, Jeannie!
1956
as Man
The Cara Williams Show
1964
Bringing Up Buddy
1960
Occasional Wife
1966
The Living Christ
1951
as Joseph
Movies (53)
Somewhere in Time
1980
as Arthur's Father
Marnie
1964
as Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)
Irma la Douce
1963
as Customer #2
The Organization
1971
as Forensic Officer (uncredited)
Missing Women
1951
as Eddie Ennis
Milk Money
1994
as Rich Old Guy
The Legend of Lylah Clare
1968
as Accountant (uncredited)
The Fountainhead
1949
as Young Intellectual (uncredited)
Rocky
1948
as Jack Arnold
Objective, Burma!
1945
as Hogan
Passions
1984
as Minister
Destination Tokyo
1943
as Sound Man
They Call Me Mister Tibbs!
1970
as Reporter (uncredited)
Illegal
1955
as Court Clerk (uncredited)
Northern Pursuit
1943
as Orderly (uncredited)
The Legend of Lizzie Borden
1975
as Dr. Draper
Romance on the High Seas
1948
as Charles - Travel Agent (uncredited)
The Breaking Point
1950
as Reporter (uncredited)
Nora Prentiss
1947
as San Francisco Ferry Boat Dispatcher (voice) (uncredited)
San Antonio
1945
as Pony Smith
Carrie
1952
as Stage Manager
Deep Valley
1947
as Convict
Sweet, Sweet Rachel
1971
as Surgeon
The Iron Mistress
1952
as Impatient Man in Tailor's Shop
A Bullet for Joey
1955
as Constable Dan Percy (uncredited)
Return to Green Acres
1990
as E. Wilfred
Three Strangers
1946
as Junior Clerk
Bright Leaf
1950
as Poker Player (uncredited)
The McConnell Story
1955
as Johnny
Train to Alcatraz
1948
as Nick
Deep in My Heart
1954
as Mr. Mulvaney (uncredited)
The Shanghai Chest
1948
as Victor Armstrong
Shadow of a Woman
1946
as Carl, Emma's Son
The Unknown Man
1951
as Photographer (uncredited)
Come Fill the Cup
1951
as Travis Ashbourne - Reporter
The Quest: The Longest Drive
1976
as Aames
The Shanghai Story
1954
as John Warren
Stallion Road
1947
as Radio Broadcaster (uncredited)
Open Secret
1948
as Ralph
Love and Learn
1947
as William
The Fighting Sullivans
1944
as Madison Abel 'Matt' Sullivan
This Side of the Law
1950
as Calder Taylor
Kentucky Rifle
1956
as Luke Thomas
Crackle of Death
1976
Dennis the Menace
1987
as Mr. Bonfigli
The Very Thought of You
1944
as Cal Wheeler
Pretty Baby
1950
as Danny (uncredited)
Two Guys from Texas
1948
as Jim Crocker
The Beast with Five Fingers
1947
as Donald Arlington
April in Paris
1952
as Tracy
Cheyenne
1947
as Single Jack
Under Colorado Skies
1947
as Jeff Collins
The Bold Frontiersman
1948
as Don Post
About John Alvin
John Alvin, born John Alvin Hoffstadt was an American film, stage and television actor. Alvin was signed with Warner Brothers Studios for an exclusive four-year contract during the World War II era, although he was "borrowed" by 20th Century Fox to appear in 1944's Oscar-nominated The Fighting Sullivans. He appeared in more than 25 Warner Brothers films during this time, including Northern Pursuit (which starred Errol Flynn), The Beast with Five Fingers, The Very Thought of You, and Objective, Burma!. His pictures after the contract period inc… With 99 credits spanning from 1943 to 1994, John Alvin has appeared in 53 films and 46 TV shows.
Fans searching for John Alvin movies, John Alvin filmography, or the latest projects starring John Alvin can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular John Alvin Movies
- Somewhere in Time (1980) — as Arthur's Father
- Marnie (1964) — as Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)
- Irma la Douce (1963) — as Customer #2
- The Organization (1971) — as Forensic Officer (uncredited)
- Missing Women (1951) — as Eddie Ennis
Where to Watch John Alvin Films
Most John Alvin movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring John Alvin, check our movies catalogue and browse page.