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John Phillip Law

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John Phillip Law
Law in 1979
Born(1937-09-07)September 7, 1937
Hollywood, California, U.S.
DiedMay 13, 2008(2008-05-13) (aged 70)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film, television actor
Years active1950–2008
SpouseShawn Ryan (divorced)
Children1

John Phillip Law (September 7, 1937 – May 13, 2008) was an American film actor.[1]

Following a breakthrough role as a Russian sailor in The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966), Law became best known for his roles as gunfighter Bill Meceita in the spaghetti western Death Rides a Horse (1967) with Lee Van Cleef, the blind angel Pygar in the science fiction film Barbarella (1968) with Jane Fonda,[1] the title character in the action film Danger: Diabolik (1968), Manfred von Richthofen in Von Richthofen and Brown (1971), and news anchor Robin Stone in The Love Machine (1971). The latter reteamed him with Alexandra Hay, his co-star from the 1968 "acid comedy" Skidoo.[1] His most famous role is that of Sinbad in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973), which was a worldwide box office hit and won the first Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film.[citation needed].

Early years

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Law was born in Los Angeles, California, to John Law, a deputy sheriff, and Phyllis Sallee, a Broadway actress.[1] At college, he initially studied engineering before transferring to the University of Hawaii to study psychology and drama.[1][2]

As a child, he played a page in The Magnificent Yankee.[3]

Career

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Lincoln Center and Italy

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Upon finishing college, Law appeared in Garson Kanin's Come on Strong (1962),[4][3] and worked for three years at the Repertory Theater at the Lincoln Center,[2][5] where he acted in their productions of Marco's Millions,[6] The Changeling,[7] and Tartuffe.[8] After leaving, he moved to Europe where he appeared in High Infidelity and Three Nights of Love.[2]

Early Hollywood films

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Law was cast by director Norman Jewison as a sailor in The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, after the director saw him in an Italian movie.[1][9] A year later, in 1967, he played a farmer in Otto Preminger's Hurry Sundown.[10] Later that year, he acted in Death Rides a Horse (1967) with Lee Van Cleef. The following year, he played the title role of Danger: Diabolik[1][11][12] an angel in Barbarella, as well as roles in Skidoo and The Sergeant (1968).[1][13] Although cast in The Gypsy Moths, his part was re-cast. He turned down roles in Midnight Cowboy and Easy Rider.[14]

Law in Von Richthofen and Brown

He had a cameo role in The Last Movie (1971), which also marked the release of Von Richthofen and Brown, with Law playing Manfred von Richthofen. For the role, Law learnt how to take off and land an aircraft.[1] Later that year, he starred The Love Machine (1971), based on Jacqueline Susann's novel of the same name.[15] Throughout the early seventies, he had parts in Polvere di stelle ("Stardust"), The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Open Season, and The Spiral Staircase.[16]

Europe

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Law continued to find success in Europe, acting in Docteur Justice (1975), A Whisper in the Dark (1976),Tu dios y mi infierno ("Your God and My Hell") (1976),The Cassandra Crossing (1977), the Target of an Assassin (1977), Eyes Behind the Wall (1977), The Rider on the White Horse (1978), and The Devil's Bed (1978). [citation needed]

In the later 1970s, Law returned to America, where he acted in The Best Place to Be and Ring of Darkness.[17][18]

1980s onward

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Law continued to act, taking roles in Tin Man (1983), Night Train to Terror (1985), American Commandos (1985), Moon in Scorpio (1987), Thunder III (1987), Striker (1987), Una grande storia d'amore ("A Great Love Story") (1988), Space Mutiny (1988), Blood Delirium (1988), A Case of Honor (1989), and Cold Heat (1989). He also appeared in Alienator (1990), Shining Blood (1992), Il giorno del porco ("Pig Day") (1993), The Mountain of the Lord (1993), Hindsight (1996), My Ghost Dog (1997), Wanted (1999), and Bad Guys (2000). In 2001, he appeared in Roman Coppola's CQ.[1] His final roles included Curse of the Forty-Niner (2002) (which he also associate produced), The Three Faces of Terror (2004), and Ray of Sunshine (2006). His last credited film role was in 2008's Chinaman's Chance [it].

Personal life

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He married and later divorced actress Shawn Ryan, with whom he had a daughter.[19]

Death

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On December 13, 2007, his doctors diagnosed Law with pancreatic cancer.[20] He died five months later on May 13, 2008, aged 70, at his home in Los Angeles.[21]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vallance, Tom (May 17, 2008). "John Phillip Law: Actor best known for 'Barbarella'". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Clifford, Terry (August 7, 1966). "Actor in 'The Russians Are Coming' Arrives Big with U.S. Teen-Agers". Chicago Tribune: p. H11.
  3. ^ a b Alpert, Don (August 21, 1966). "New Discovery Is Law Unto Himself". The Washington Post and Times-Herald: p. G3.
  4. ^ "John Phillip Law, 70, Film Actor, Is Dead". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 16, 2008. p. B8.
  5. ^ Estrow, Milton (January 24, 1964). "Lincoln Theater Begins Repertory: ' After the Fall' by Miller Opens in Temporary Home". The New York Times. p. 19.
  6. ^ Taubman, Howard (February 21, 1964). "Theater: O'Neill Revival: ' Marco Millions' Given by Repertory Troupe". The New York Times. p. 33.
  7. ^ Taubman, Howard (October 30, 1964). "Theater: 'The Changeling' Is Revived: Lincoln Center Troupe Opens 2d Season". The New York Times. p. 32.
  8. ^ Taubman, Howard (January 15, 1965). "The Theater: 'Tartuffe': Moliere's Play Staged by Lincoln Theater". The New York Times. p. 23.
  9. ^ Martin, Betty (September 27, 1965). "Hudson Up for 'Prix' Lead". Los Angeles Times. p. C19.
  10. ^ Roger Ebert (May 29, 1967). "Hurry Sundown (1967)". RogerEbert.com. Chicago Sun-Times.
  11. ^ Aguilar, Carlos; Haas, Anita (June 1, 2008). John Phillip Law - Diabolik Angel. Scifiworld/Quatermass. ISBN 978-8461245017.
  12. ^ Martin, Betty (April 22, 1967). "Senta to Play Secret Agent". Los Angeles Times. p. 19.
  13. ^ Martin, Betty (October 21, 1967). "Movie Call Sheet: Law Given 'Sergeant' Role". Los Angeles Times. p. 18. Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "John Exchaw Reviews A New Book About John Phillip Law". Cinema Retro. January 16, 2009.
  15. ^ Roger Ebert (August 13, 1971). "The Love Machine (1971)". RogerEbert.com. Chicago Sun-Times.
  16. ^ Thomas, Kevin (September 25, 1974). "Inhumanity Is the Name of Game". Los Angeles Times. p. G11.
  17. ^ "A Princely Welcome for Kermit". Los Angeles Times. May 14, 1979. p. 50. Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Sullivan, Mary A. Dinkel (July 23, 1978). "Law finds his career education". Decatur Sunday Herald and Review. p. 40. Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Obituary for John Phillip Law (Aged 70)". The Boston Globe. May 17, 2008.
  20. ^ "Career, looks didn't define actor". Daily Breeze. Hermosa Beach, CA. May 21, 2008. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  21. ^ Bergan, Ronald (May 16, 2008). "John Phillip Law". The Guardian. London. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
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