John Anthony Fetto, II (February 23, 1926 – January 22, 2010), known professionally as Johnny Seven, was an American character actor who appeared in 26 films and approximately 600 television shows during his career, which spanned more than 40 years. His credits included the 1960 film The Apartment and a recurring role as Lt. Carl Reese on the 1968–1975 television series Ironside.
Early life Seven was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. His parents, who were Italian immigrants, also had five daughters. He began acting and singing as a teenager. He served with the United States Army in the Philippines during World War II and performed with the United Service Organizations (USO). Fetto earned his nickname "Johnny Seven" while serving in the Army and kept it as his stage name following the end of the war.
Career Seven began his acting career in New York City theater. He portrayed Karl Matuschka, the brother in-law of Shirley MacLaine's character, in The Apartment. His other film credits include The Last Mile (1959), Guns of the Timberland (1960), What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1968) and Murder at the World Series (1977). Seven co-wrote, produced, directed, and starred in Navajo Run, his western independent film released in 1964.
On television, in addition to Ironside, he was cast in the spin-off series Amy Prentiss. His other television credits included roles on Rescue 8, The Man from Blackhawk, Bonanza, Hennesey, The Everglades, Gunsmoke (as murderous outlaw “Barens” in 1965’s S11E1’s “Seven Hours to Dawn“), CHiPs, Naked City, Route 66, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, The Phil Silvers Show, Batman (episodes 25 and 26), Death Valley Days, Peter Gunn, The Untouchables, The Rockford Files, The Wild Wild West,The Rookies and Charlie's Angels.
In 1962, he was cast as farmer Carlo Farelli in the episode "The Last Shot" on the anthology series Death Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews. In the story, Carlo sees saloon singer Della (Grace Lee Whitney as a wife but soon encounters competition from another suitor.
In addition to his acting career, Seven also owned a real estate business in the San Fernando Valley.
Death Seven died of complications from lung cancer at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, California on January 22, 2010, at age 83. He was survived by his wife of sixty years, Edith. and his son, John Anthony Fetto, III, an attorney in Walnut Creek, California. His memorial service was held at St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish in Granada Hills, California on February 6, 2010.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1954 On the Waterfront Longshoreman uncredited1957 Johnny Gunman Allie 1958 Cop Hater William 'Willie' Bronken 1959 Never Steal Anything Small Joe, a Stevedore uncredited1959 The Last Mile Tom D'Amoro 1959 That Kind of Woman Minor Role uncredited1960 Guns of the Timberland Vince 1960 The Music Box Kid Tony Maldano 1960 The Apartment Karl Matuschka 1961 Boy Who Caught a Crook Rocky Kent 1964 Navajo Run Mathew Whitehawk 1965 The Greatest Story Ever Told Pilate's Aide uncredited1966 What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? Vittorio 1967 Gunfight in Abilene Loop 1968 The Destructors Spaniard 1969 The Love God? Petey
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