John Compton (born John Compton Tolley; June 21, 1923 – May 12, 2015) was an American actor.

John Compton
Born
John Compton Tolley

(1923-06-21)June 21, 1923
DiedMay 12, 2015(2015-05-12) (aged 91)
OccupationActor

Compton was born John Compton Tolley in Lynchburg, Tennessee.[1]

In 1943, Compton left Lynchburg and went to Hollywood hoping to become an actor. He washed dishes at a restaurant and spent time around union halls seeking a break in the film industry. His next job was answering a telephone at Columbia Pictures Studio. Eventually he paid $100 to get a bit part in a film, but the results of that appearance offered little hope for his future. He gained experience by acting in other films, in summer stock theater, and on stage in New York.[2]

Compton starred in the television series The D.A.'s Man (1959). He appeared in the films Mildred Pierce, Cheyenne, Jesse James Rides Again, Oh! Susanna, Thunder Over Arizona and Spoilers of the Forest, among others.

Compton also sold real estate in California.[2]

He died of natural causes on May 12, 2015, in Los Angeles, California at age 91.[3]

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Notes
1945 Pride of the Marines Corporal Uncredited
1945 Mildred Pierce Theodore 'Ted' Ellison Forrester Uncredited
1945 Too Young to Know Party Guest #5
1945 San Antonio Cowboy Uncredited
1946 Night and Day Student Uncredited
1947 Nora Prentiss Reporter Uncredited
1947 Cheyenne Limpy Bill
1947 Jesse James Rides Again Steve Long Serial
1947 Rock Island Trail Trooper Uncredited
1950 The Glass Menagerie Young Man
1950 California Passage Henchman
1951 Oh! Susanna Lieutenant Cutter
1951 Navy Bound Vincent Cerrano
1954 Adventures of the Texas Kid: Border Ambush Baden
1955 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Vincent Season 1 Episode 10: "The Case of Mr. Pelham"
1955 Francis in the Navy Aide Uncredited
1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Walter 'Walt' Norton Season 1 Episode 33: "The Belfry"
1956 Thunder Over Arizona Tab Warren
1956 The Ten Commandments Slave Uncredited
1956 Friendly Persuasion Rebel Lieutenant Uncredited
1957 Spoilers of the Forest Billy Mitchell
1959 The D.A.'s Man Shannon

References edit

  1. ^ Smith, Cecil (February 20, 1959). "John Compton Real Int'restin'". Los Angeles Times. p. 38. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Wister, Emery (June 27, 1959). "Farm Lad Trades 'Cats' for Cash". The Charlotte News. p. 5 A. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "John Compton Dead: 'Mildred Pierce' Actor Was 91". Hollywood Reporter. 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2017-05-17.

External links edit