John Myhers

John Benjamin Myhers (December 18, 1921 – May 27, 1992) was an American character actor of stage and screen (both big and small).

John Myhers
Born(1921-12-18)December 18, 1921
Strum, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedMay 27, 1992(1992-05-27) (aged 70)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active1951–1985
Height6 ft (183 cm)
Spouse(s)Joan Benedict (1962–1992) (his death)

Myhers was born in Strum, Wisconsin,[1] the son of Ole Myhers (1896–1941) and Mabel (née Borreson) Myhers (1902–1964), who later married Hal DeRoach.[1]

Myhers began singing at the age of 12 and won several leading roles in the St. Paul Civic Opera during his student years at McPhail School of Music in St. Paul. He served in the United States armed forces in Italy during World War II and stayed in Rome for 11 years after the war. He studied at the American Academy and earned a doctoral degree in literature from the University of Rome.[2]

He performed leading roles in Broadway shows such as Kiss Me Kate,[3] The Golden Fleecing and The Good Soup,[4] and most notably played the role of Captain Von Trapp in the First National Touring Company of The Sound of Music in the early 1960s and later.[5][6] He played opposite Katharine Hepburn in a Stratford, Connecticut production of Antony and Cleopatra.[7] He also appeared opposite actors such as Jack Lemmon and Charlton Heston in theatrical plays across the country.

His most notable film role was playing Bert O'Bratt in the film adaptation of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He played Robert Livingston in 1776 (he also played the role in the Broadway musical version), and also appeared in Mel Brooks' History of the World, Part I as the leader of the Roman Senate. Other film credits include Quo Vadis,[8] Willard, Weddings and Babies, and several Disney movies (including Treasure of Matecumbe, The Shaggy D.A. and Now You See Him, Now You Don't).

Myhers also had a robust career on television, appearing on shows like Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes, The Mothers-in-Law, I Dream of Jeannie, Love, American Style, Alice, The Waltons and Fantasy Island. He was also the voice of Hector Heathcote on The Hector Heathcote Show in 1961, and in a series of animated shorts that ran from 1959 to 1971. His last acting appearance was in 1985 on The Twilight Zone in the episode "Ye Gods".

Myhers was married to Joan Benedict from 1962 to his death in 1992.[9] Myhers died of pneumonia on May 27, 1992 in Los Angeles, California, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He is also survived by his daughter Claudia Myhers Tschudin. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.

Partial filmography

References
  1. "Former Strum Resident Star in 'Sound of Music'". The Winona Daily News. June 20, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved June 17, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. OLIVER, MYRNA (30 May 1992). "John Myhers, 70; Director, Actor, Screenplay Writer" – via LA Times.
  3. "Kiss Me Kate Survives Try in Waco Hall". Waco Tribune-Herald. February 18, 1953. p. 18. Retrieved June 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions". Answers.com.
  5. "'Sound of Music' at Texas Fair". The Indian Journal. September 21, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Las Vegas Insight". The Van Nuys News. April 20, 1973. p. 28. Retrieved June 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. http://katharine-hepburn.webs.com/theatre/Antony%20and%20Cleopatra.htm
  8. "Former City Resident Has Part in Movie 'Quo Vadis'". The Daily Telegram. April 12, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Joan Benedict Steiger's Collected Stories in Venice Magazine". www.joanbenedictsteiger.com.
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