John Marriott (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Marriott
A 1953 promotional photo of Marriott
Born	(1893-01-30)January 30, 1893 Boley, Indian Territory, United States
Died	April 5, 1977(1977-04-05) (aged 84) Jamaica, New York, United States
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1922–76

John Marriott (born September 30, 1893 – died April 5, 1977) was an American actor. He performed on stage, in movies, and on television for over 50 years! His acting journey started in Cleveland, Ohio. Later, he moved to New York City and became a regular on Broadway, which is famous for its many theaters.

In the 1940s, John Marriott also started acting in movies. He played the same character, Cal, in the movie version of the popular Broadway play The Little Foxes. This movie starred the famous actress Bette Davis. Even though he was in only ten movies, he was very busy in theater. He performed both on Broadway and in local shows. His very last performance was in the movie Dog Day Afternoon, which starred Al Pacino.

John Marriott's Life and Acting Career

Early Years and Broadway Debut (1930s-1940s)

John Marriott was born in Boley, which was then called Indian Territory. Today, it's part of Oklahoma. He passed away in Jamaica, Queens, New York City.

He started acting in 1922 with a group called the Karamu Players in Cleveland. He was also part of the Cleveland Playhouse theater company. His first big role on Broadway was in a play called Too Many Boats in 1934. It didn't run for long, but it was his start! Over the next 40 years, he acted in more than 20 Broadway shows.

In 1936, he was in Sweet River, a play based on Uncle Tom's Cabin. Then, in 1939, he created the role of Cal in The Little Foxes. This play was a huge hit, running for 410 performances!

Movies and More Stage Success (1940s)

As the 1940s began, John Marriott continued his stage work. In 1941, he got to play Cal again in the movie version of The Little Foxes. This movie was directed by William Wyler and starred Bette Davis. John Marriott was one of only five actors from the original Broadway play who also appeared in the film.

After his movie experience, he went back to focusing on theater in New York. He appeared in many plays, including Janie in 1942. This play was very popular and ran for 642 performances! It was even made into a movie later, but John Marriott wasn't in the film version.

He also performed in plays in other cities, like Dark Eyes in Connecticut in 1944. In 1946, he played Dr. Einstein in an all-Black production of Arsenic and Old Lace. This show featured talented actors like Ruby Dee.

Later in 1946, he took on a very important role as Joe Mott in the famous play The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O'Neill. John Marriott was the only Black actor in the cast. He said he enjoyed this part more than any other. He felt it was a real character, not just a typical "butler" or "valet" role that Black actors often had to play back then.

In 1949, John Marriott also started acting on television, which was a new medium at the time. He appeared in shows like The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse and The Ford Theatre Hour.

Continuing His Craft (1950s-1970s)

In 1951, John Marriott had a supporting role in a new version of the play The Green Pastures. He received good reviews for his performance. He also appeared in another play called The Small Hours.

On television, he was in shows like Westinghouse Summer Theater in 1951. In 1952, he had a main role in a TV play called The Last Mile.

John Marriott returned to the big screen in 1953 with a role in The Joe Louis Story, a movie about the famous boxer. That same year, he was on the TV series Harlem Detective. He even played the famous historical figure Frederick Douglass in a TV show called One Man's Story. His acting in another show, "The Challenge," was highly praised.

He continued to act in regional plays, like Magic Morning in 1954. In 1956, he had a role in The Ponder Heart on Broadway. Then, in 1957, he took on a major role in Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams. Even though the play didn't run for long, his performance was well-received. He ended the decade with a significant role in The Miracle Worker, which opened in 1959 and ran for over 700 performances!

In the early 1960s, John Marriott made guest appearances on popular TV shows like The Defenders, Route 66, and The Patty Duke Show. In 1963, he was in a play called Bicycle Ride to Nevada. It didn't do well, but his movie The Cool World in 1963 was praised by critics.

He kept performing in regional theaters, such as in You Can't Take It with You in 1966. The next year, he was in More Stately Mansions with famous actors like Ingrid Bergman. After that play closed, he appeared in Weekend in 1968.

John Marriott appeared in several movies in the early 1970s. His final movie role was as Howard, a bank security guard, in the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino. His very last performance was on stage in a play called The Last Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia in 1976.

Filmography