Biography of John Gavin

John Gavin (born Juan Vincent Apablasa on 8 April 1931 in Los Angeles; died 9 February 2018 in Beverly Hills) was an American actor, union official and diplomat. He became known through films such as Imitation of Life, Psycho and Spartacus; later he served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and as United States ambassador to Mexico.

Background and navy

Gavin grew up in California. His father had Chilean roots and his mother was born in Mexico; Spanish belonged to his family background. After Catholic schools he studied at Stanford University and then served as an intelligence officer in the US Navy during the Korean War. This education and his knowledge of Latin America later became important when he moved into diplomacy.

Hollywood

Gavin came to film through Universal. He was first cast for his looks and straight screen presence, but worked with directors who drew more from that image. Douglas Sirk gave him roles in A Time to Love and a Time to Die and Imitation of Life. In 1960 he appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho as Sam Loomis and in the same year played Julius Caesar in Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus.

Between star role and limits

Gavin's film career remained visible, but was not simple. He was often cast as an elegant, reliable leading man, while also carrying the impression of a smooth studio star. In Thoroughly Modern Millie he played with his own image. In the early 1970s he was even signed to play James Bond in Diamonds Are Forever before Sean Connery returned to the role. That almost-Bond episode remained part of his film story.

Screen Actors Guild and politics

From 1971 to 1973 Gavin was president of the Screen Actors Guild. He thus led an important actors' union at a time when working conditions, contracts and the power of the studios were being renegotiated. Politically he moved in Ronald Reagan's circle. In 1981 Reagan appointed him United States ambassador to Mexico. Gavin brought Spanish, Latin American education and Hollywood visibility, but he was also criticised for a direct and often confrontational style.

Ambassador to Mexico

Gavin presented his credentials on 5 June 1981 and remained in office until June 1986. His term fell into a difficult phase of US-Mexican relations: economic crisis, oil prices, debt, migration and conflicts in Central America strained the relationship. Gavin was controversial, but not insignificant. Some observers saw him as an energetic representative of American interests; others criticised him for a manner that intensified tensions.

Farewell

John Gavin died in Beverly Hills on 9 February 2018. He was 86 years old. He is remembered for an unusual career that led from the classic studio system through union work into diplomacy.