John Saxon
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- August 5, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Died
- July 25, 2020
- Active Years
- 1944–2018 (75 Years)
- Total Credits
- 216 credits in database
Acting Born Aug 5, 1935 Died Jul 25, 2020 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA 216 credits
Biography
John Saxon was an American actor and martial artist. Born Carmine Orrico on August 5, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, he studied acting with Stella Adler. Saxon worked on more than 200 projects during a 60-year span. He is known for his work in Westerns and horror movies, often playing police officers and detectives. His early career included contract work for Universal Pictures in films such as Rock, Pretty Baby and Portrait in Black. In the 1970s and 1980s, Saxon established himself as a character actor, frequently portraying law enforcement officials in horror movies. He passed away on July 25, 2020, at the age of 84.
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Career overview
John Saxon began his acting career as a contract actor for Universal Pictures, appearing in films such as Rock, Pretty Baby in 1956 and Portrait in Black in 1961. He continued to work in the film industry, eventually establishing himself as a character actor during the 1970s and 1980s.
Saxon's career spanned over 60 years, with work on more than 200 projects. He often played law enforcement officials in horror movies, including Black Christmas in 1974 and Dario Argento's Tenebra. His work in Westerns and horror movies showcased his versatility as an actor.
Throughout his long and prolific career, Saxon demonstrated his ability to adapt to various roles and genres. His extensive body of work includes a wide range of films, reflecting his experience and talent as a character actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Heather Langenkamp
3 shared titles
Robert Englund
3 shared titles
David Opatoshu
3 shared titles
Maurizio Merli
3 shared titles
Fulvio Mingozzi
3 shared titles
Joseph Whipp
2 shared titles
Dee Carroll
2 shared titles
Cameron Mitchell
2 shared titles
Fred Williamson
2 shared titles
Michael Parks
2 shared titles
Career timeline
The Green Fog
Black Christmas LegacyThe Dentros
Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street LegacyBring Me the Head of Lance Henriksen
Old DogsClarkworldHow Bruce Lee Changed the WorldWar WolvesThe Mercy Man
God's Ears
PeltsStanley's GirlfriendTrapped AshesThe Craving HeartThe 12 Days of Black Christmas
Masters of Horror
Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-ScreenBlood and Steel: The Making of Enter the Dragon
Pitcher and the Pin-Up
Outta Time'Cannibal Apocalypse' ReduxBlack Christmas Revisited
Final PaybackNight ClassThe Unbeatable Bruce Lee
CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationLiving in FearMario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre
Welcome to PrimetimeJoseph's Gift
The Path of the DragonThe Party CrashersThe GREATEST : Bruce LeeBottom Feeders
Lancelot: Guardian of Time
From Dusk Till Dawn
The Killers WithinLiz: The Elizabeth Taylor StoryJonathan of the BearsEncyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
Wes Craven's New NightmareBeverly Hills Cop IIIKilling ObsessionFrame-Up II: The Cover-UpBruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon
The Baby Doll MurdersNo Escape, No Return
Melrose PlaceAnimal InstinctsMaximum ForceLucky LukeLucky Luke
Preminger: Anatomy of a FilmmakerSolomon Northup's OdysseyThe ArrivalBlackmailPayoff
The Last SamuraiCrossing the LineBlood SalvageThe Final AllianceAftershock
Criminal ActNightmare BeachMy Mom's a Werewolf
MonstersZombie Death HouseZombie Death House · DirectorStephen King's Monster Stories
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
MatlockHands of Steel
The New Alfred Hitchcock PresentsFever PitchBrothers-in-Law
Murder, She WroteMurder, She WroteMurder, She WroteA Nightmare on Elm StreetFinder of Lost Loves
The A-TeamThe A-TeamScarecrow and Mrs. KingHardcastle and McCormickMasquerade
Full Filmography
216 titles- The Green Fog (2018)
- Black Christmas Legacy (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- The Dentros (2015) as George Dentro
- Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s (2012) as Self
- Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010) as Self
- Bring Me the Head of Lance Henriksen (2010) as John
- Old Dogs (2009) as Lee Robinson
- Clarkworld (2009) as Self
- How Bruce Lee Changed the World (2009) as Self
- War Wolves (2009) as Tony Ford
- The Mercy Man (2009) as Father McMurray
- God's Ears (2008) as Lee Robinson
- Pelts (2006) as Jeb 'Pa' Jameson
- Stanley's Girlfriend (2006) as Leo
- Trapped Ashes (2006) as Leo (segment "Stanley's Girlfriend")
- The Craving Heart (2006) as Richard Tom
- The 12 Days of Black Christmas (2006) as Self
- Masters of Horror (2005) as Jeb 'Pa' Jameson
- Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen (2004) as Self
- Blood and Steel: The Making of Enter the Dragon (2004) as Self
- Pitcher and the Pin-Up (2003) as Michael Curtis
- Outta Time (2002) as Darabont
- 'Cannibal Apocalypse' Redux (2002) as Sarge
- Black Christmas Revisited (2002) as Self
- Final Payback (2001) as Police Chief George Moreno
- Night Class (2001) as Murphy
- The Unbeatable Bruce Lee (2001)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Walter Gordon
- Living in Fear (2000) as Rev. Leo Hausman
- Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre (2000) as Self
- Welcome to Primetime (1999) as Self
- Joseph's Gift (1999) as Jacob Keller
- The Path of the Dragon (1998) as Self
- The Party Crashers (1998) as Mr. Foster
- The GREATEST : Bruce Lee (1998) as Comentador
- Bottom Feeders (1998) as Antonio DiPaolo Jr.
- Lancelot: Guardian of Time (1997) as Wolvencroft
- From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) as FBI Agent Stanley Chase
- The Killers Within (1995) as Detective Lewis
- Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995) as Richard Brooks
- Jonathan of the Bears (1995) as Fred Goodwin
- Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities (1995) as Self
- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) as John Saxon / Lt. Donald Thompson
- Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) as Orrin Sanderson
- Killing Obsession (1994) as Dr. Sachs
- Frame-Up II: The Cover-Up (1994) as Charles Searage
- Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon (1994) as Self
- The Baby Doll Murders (1993) as John Maglia
- No Escape, No Return (1993) as James Mitchell
- Melrose Place (1992) as Henry Waxman
- Animal Instincts (1992) as Otto Van Horne
- Maximum Force (1992) as Captain Fuller
- Lucky Luke (1992)
- Lucky Luke (1992) as The Man in Black
- Lucky Luke 2 (1992) as The Man in Black (archive footage)
- Hellmaster (1992) as Professor Jones
- Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker (1991) as Self (archive footage)
- Solomon Northup's Odyssey (1991) as Epps
- The Arrival (1991) as Agent Miils
- Blackmail (1991) as Gene
- Payoff (1991) as Rafael Concion
- The Last Samurai (1990) as Haroun Al-Hakim
- Crossing the Line (1990) as Jack Kagan
- Blood Salvage (1990) as Clifford Evans
- The Final Alliance (1990) as Ghost
- Aftershock (1990) as Oliver Quinn
- The Best of the Martial Arts Films (1990) as Self - Host
- Criminal Act (1989) as Herb Tamplin
- Nightmare Beach (1989) as Strycher
- My Mom's a Werewolf (1989) as Harry Thropen
- Monsters (1988) as Ben O'Connell
- Zombie Death House (1988) as Colonel Gordon Burgess
- Zombie Death House (1988) Director
- Stephen King's Monster Stories (1988)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) as Thompson
- Matlock (1986) as John Franklin
- Hands of Steel (1986) as Francis Turner
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) as Garth December
- Fever Pitch (1985) as Sports Editor
- Brothers-in-Law (1985) as Royal Cane
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Marco Gambini
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Bernardo Bonelli
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Jerry Lydecker
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) as Lt. Donald Thompson
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984) as Zach Donahue
- The A-Team (1983) as Martin James
- The A-Team (1983) as Kalem
- Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983) as Dirk Fredericks
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983) as Martin Cody
- Masquerade (1983)
- The Big Score (1983) as Davis
- Prisoners of the Lost Universe (1983) as Kleel
- American Playhouse (1982) as Epps
- Hotel (1982) as Jack Curtis
- Tenebre (1982) as Bullmer
- Wrong Is Right (1982) as Homer Hubbard
- Scorpion with Two Tails (1982) as Arthur Barnard
- Rooster (1982) as Jerome Brademan
- Lo Scorpione a Due Code (1982) as Arthur Barnard
- Desire (1982) as Joe Hale
- One Too Many (1982) as Sergio Puccini
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Tony Cumson
- Golden Gate (1981) as Monty Sager
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Ed Russler
- Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) as Sador
- Beyond Evil (1980) as Larry Andrews
- Running Scared (1980) as Captain Munoz
- Blood Beach (1980) as Captain Pearson
- Cannibal Apocalypse (1980) as Norman Hopper
- The Electric Horseman (1979) as Hunt Sears
- The Glove (1979) as Sam Kellog
- Fast Company (1979) as Phil Adamson
- Fantasy Island (1978) as Roger Sullivan
- The Immigrants (1978) as Alan Brocker
- The Immigrants (1978) as Alan Brocker
- The Bees (1978) as John Norman
- Shalimar (1978) as Colonel Columbus
- Moonshine County Express (1977) as J.B. Johnson
- The Fantastic Journey (1977) as Consul Tarant
- The Cynic, the Rat & the Fist (1977) as Frank Di Maggio
- 79 Park Avenue (1977) as Harry Vito
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as Publisher Charles Desskasa
- Once an Eagle (1976) as Capt. Townshend
- The Swiss Conspiracy (1976) as Robert Hayes
- Violent Naples (1976) as Francesco Capuano
- A Special Cop in Action (1976) as Albertelli
- Raid on Entebbe (1976) as Maj. Gen. Benny Peled
- Mark Strikes Again (1976) as Altman
- Cross Shot (1976) as Commissario Jacovella
- Shadows in an Empty Room (1976) as Sgt. Ned Matthews
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as René Nadasy
- Wonder Woman (1975) as Captain Radl
- Fight to the Death (1975) as Mariano Beltrán
- Strange New World (1975) as Capt. Anthony Vico
- Crossfire (1975) as Dave Ambrose
- Mitchell (1975) as Walter Deaney
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Dave Delaroux
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) as Maj. Frederick Sloan
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) as Nedlick
- Petrocelli (1974) as Richie Martin
- Black Christmas (1974) as Lt. Fuller
- Planet Earth (1974) as Dylan Hunt
- Can Ellen Be Saved? (1974) as James Hallbeck
- Enter the Dragon (1973) as Roper
- Linda (1973) as Jeff Braden
- Family Killer (1973) as Gaspare Ardizzone
- Snatched (1973) as Paul Maxvill
- Mr. Kingstreet's War (1973) as Mr. Kingstreet
- Location: Hong Kong with Enter the Dragon (1973) as Self
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) as Vincent 'Vince' Hagopian Jr.
- Banacek (1972) as Harry Harland
- Banyon (1972) as Johnny Clay
- House Made of Dawn (1972) as Tosamah
- Joe Kidd (1972) as Luis Chama
- Kung Fu (1972) as Raven
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) as Mike Tedesca
- Night Gallery (1970) as Ianto
- The Intruders (1970) as Billy Pye
- Company of Killers (1970) as Dave Poohler
- The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969) as Dr. Theodore Stuart
- Istanbul Express (1969) as Cheval
- Death of a Gunfighter (1969) as Lou Trinidad
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Harry Clive
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Peter Max
- It Takes a Thief (1968) as Dead Man
- Western, Italian Style (1968) as Self
- One Dollar Too Many (1968) as Clay Watson
- For Singles Only (1968) as Bret Hendley
- Ironside (1967) as Eric Saginor
- Winchester '73 (1967) as Dakin McAdam
- The Time Tunnel (1966) as Marco Polo
- The Doomsday Flight (1966) as George Ducette
- The Appaloosa (1966) as Chuy
- Queen of Blood (1966) as Allan Brenner
- The Night Caller (1965) as Dr. Jack Costain
- The Ravagers (1965) as Capt. Kermit Dowling
- The Cavern (1964) as Joe Cramer
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Mario Silvetti
- Burke's Law (1963) as Bud Charney
- Burke's Law (1963) as Gil Lynch
- The Cardinal (1963) as Benny Rampell
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) as Dr. Marcello Bassi
- The Virginian (1962) as Sgt. Terence Mulcahy
- The Virginian (1962) as Ben Oakes
- The Virginian (1962) as Dell Stetler
- Agostino (1962) as Renzo
- War Hunt (1962) as Pvt. Raymond Endore
- Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962) as Byron Grant
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Posse from Hell (1961) as Seymour Kern
- The Unforgiven (1960) as Johnny Portugal
- The Plunderers (1960) as Rondo
- Portrait in Black (1960) as Blake Richards
- Bonanza (1959) as Chief Jocova
- Bonanza (1959) as Blas
- Bonanza (1959) as Steven Friday
- The Big Fisherman (1959) as Voldi
- Cry Tough (1959) as Miguel Antonio Enrico Francisco Estrada
- The Reluctant Debutante (1958) as David Parkson
- This Happy Feeling (1958) as Bill Tremaine
- Summer Love (1958) as Jimmy Daley
- The Restless Years (1958) as Will Henderson
- The Unguarded Moment (1956) as Leonard Bennett
- Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) as Jimmy Daley
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Virgil Stanley
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Pedro Manez
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Gristy Calhoun
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Dingo
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Cal Strom, Jr.
- Running Wild (1955) as Vince Pomeroy
- A Star Is Born (1954) as Movie Premiere Usher (uncredited)
- It Should Happen to You (1954) as Boy Watching Argument in Park (uncredited)
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Martin Glass
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Audience Member
- New Line: Independent Legacies as Self (archive footage)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Saxon best known for?
John Saxon is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including MasterChef Greece (2010), Old Dogs (2009), War Wolves (2009), Blippi's Ultimate Bounce House Challenges (2024).
When and where was John Saxon born?
John Saxon was born on August 5, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on July 25, 2020.
How many credits does John Saxon have?
John Saxon has accumulated over 216 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2018.
What is John Saxon's background in cinema and television?
John Saxon was an American actor and martial artist. Born Carmine Orrico on August 5, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, he studied acting with Stella Adler. Saxon worked on more than 200 projects during a 60-year span. He is known for his work in Westerns and horror movies, often playing police officers and detectives. His ...
John Saxon by the numbers
216credits
152films
64TV series
1944–2018active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Unbeatable Bruce Lee (2001) — aged about 65
- Banacek (1972) as Harry Harland — aged about 36
- Banyon (1972) as Johnny Clay — aged about 36
- Night Gallery (1970) as Ianto — aged about 34
- Kung Fu (1972) as Raven — aged about 36
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Walter Gordon — aged about 64
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