John Milford (September 7, 1927 – August 14, 2000) was an American actor in theater, television, and films, playing scores of roles, often as a Western villain. He was estimated to have had about 500 appearances in TV roles.
Early years Born in Johnstown, New York, Milford studied civil engineering at Union College but chose to pursue his first love, acting. He "worked for some years with Los Angeles' Bureau of Engineering, Department of Public Works."
Career Milford first appeared on television in the 1940s on What's My Name? on KGRB in Albany, New York.
After making his film debut in Marty in 1955, Milford went on to act in dozens of film and TV roles, especially in Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Fugitive, The Big Valley, The Rifleman(S3 E4, S5 E7), and The Virginian. In 1959 he appeared on Wagon Train S2 E36, "The Rodney Lawrence Story" as Pete Galt, who tries to rob the wagon train, with Theodore Marcuse in the role of Keller.
From 1959 to 1960, Milford was cast in ten episodes as the historical figure Ike Clanton on the ABC/Desilu series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian as Wyatt Earp. Milford's last episode was S5 E41 "Wyatt's Bitterest Enemy" which aired 6/7/1960.
From 1959 to 1968, Milford appeared in three episodes of Bonanza: on "Vendetta" as Ned Morgan, "Half a Rogue" as Cal Stacy and "A World Full of Cannibals" as Rodgers.
Milford guest-starred in four episodes of Mannix from 1969 to 1974: on "Deathrun" as Sheriff George Hale, "Portrait of a Hero" as Col. Edgar Ewing, "Cry Danger" as Stan Forrester and "The Survivor Who Wasn't" as Harry.
In 1965, Milford had a recurring role as Cole Younger in the ABC series The Legend of Jesse James, starring Christopher Jones. In the same year, Milford appeared in the third-season episode "Billy the Kid" as Sergeant Stoner on the World War II drama Combat!, as well as in an episode of Gunsmoke titled “Winner Take All” (S10E22).
Throughout his career Milford continued to work in the theater. He founded the Chamber Theater at 3759 Cahuenga Blvd, pioneering Equity Waiver productions in Los Angeles, and helped launch the careers of actors such as Richard Chamberlain and Vic Morrow.
Milford's Los Angeles Times obituary credits him with using his engineering background to help create the original design for the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Milford played the part of Albert Einstein in the 1996 video game Command & Conquer: Red Alert.
Death Milford died of skin cancer in 2000.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1955 Marty Minor Role Uncredited1956 The Ten Commandments Attendant to Trojan Ambassador / Young Father Uncredited1957 The Persuader Clint 1958 The Heart Is a Rebel Hal Foster 1959 Face of a Fugitive Haley Uncredited1963 Gunfight at Comanche Creek Bill Peters 1965 Zebra in the Kitchen Sgt. Freebee 1966 Perry Mason Clayton Douglas S9, E15 "The Case of the Bogus Buckaneer" 1966 For Pete's Sake 1967 The Last Challenge Turpin 1969 Support Your Local Sheriff! Gunman McCullough Throws Rocks At Uncredited1979 Joni Dr. Sherrill 1981 Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge Professor Dent 1986 Say Yes Sailor 1987 Student Confidential Mr. Warshetsky 1998 Primary Colors Uncredited1998 Show & Tell Mr. Mahler
References
LA Times biographical article
External links
John Hackney Milford at Find A Grave