John Moreno (born 4 March 1939) is a retired British actor, probably best known for his role as Luigi Ferrara in the 1981 James Bond feature film For Your Eyes Only.
Early life
Moreno was born to a Spanish father and French mother. Brought to England at the age of two months, he spent most of his childhood travelling the world in a circus due to his father, Jose Moreno, being a famous juggler. During this time, he was taught various skills including juggling, tumbling and bareback riding.
Aged 17, Moreno formed a nightclub act with his sister and they were engaged to appear in France. Upon arriving in Marseilles, he was arrested as a draft dodger for not reporting for National service. While his sister went to Spain to become an actress, Moreno was court-martialled but acquitted. Finding himself enrolled in the French Army during the Algerian War, he learnt the art of mime from a fellow soldier. After leaving the army, he turned to a career in straight acting.
Career
His other film credits include appearances in Les Misérables (1978), The Razor's Edge (1984), John Wycliffe: The Morning Star (1984) and Old Scores (1991). His television credits include Doctor Who (in the serial The Ambassadors of Death where he played Dobson), Moonbase 3, The Duchess of Duke Street, Return of the Saint, Thriller, The Sweeney, The Enigma Files, Kessler, Farrington of the F.O., Squadron, Only Fools and Horses, Dempsey and Makepeace, Beau Geste, One by One, Lovejoy and Heartbeat. He had a recurring role in the 1971 television series Hine.
Having learnt so many talents from a young age, Moreno was able to apply these to the various roles he played. In addition, he worked as a stage fight director, arranging fights for theatre productions, as well as holding workshops for youngsters to learn about the craft. (Advertisement)
Selected filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1962Cupido contrabandistaCredited as Juan Moreno1981For Your Eyes OnlyLuigi Ferrara1984The Razor's EdgeFrench Detective #11984John Wycliffe: The Morning StarBenedictine Monk1991Old ScoresReferee
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1957Nathaniel TitlarkVillagerEpisode: "O Woodman, Spare That Tree"1968The TroubleshootersCarlow (as Juan Moreno)Episode: "Not for My Friend, He's Driving"1968Virgin of the Secret ServiceHelmutEpisode: "Entente Cordiale"1968TritonFrench LieutenantEpisode: "Lamb to the Slaughter"1968Crime BusterFrench cafe customer (as Juan Moreno)Episode: "The Third Thief"1970Doctor WhoDobson (as Juan Moreno)Episode: "The Ambassadors of Death: Episode 2"1971HineFrank the Chauffeur7 episodes1972Spyder's WebEmil (as Juan Moreno)Episode: "The Prevalence of Skeletons"1972PretendersSoft John4 episodes1973Moonbase 3Juan Benavente2 episodes1973Crown CourtGrigori Petrov2 episodes1973–1975ThrillerFilton Nick (as Juan Moreno)2 episodes1977The Duchess of Duke StreetGaspard2 episodes1978Return of the SaintPierreEpisode: "The Imprudent Professor"1978The SweeneyDoadEpisode: "Hearts and Minds"1978Les MiserablesCochopailleTelevision film1980The Enigma FilesHenry MantonEpisode: "Investigation of a Copper"1981KesslerJose Garriga3 episodes1982SquadronVasquezEpisode: "Deadline"1982Beau GesteMaris3 episodes1982Only Fools and HorsesEnricoEpisode: "Diamonds Are for Heather"1985Dempsey and MakepeaceReynoldsEpisode: "The Squeeze"1985One by OneDr. PreeceEpisode: "Pride of Place"1985MinderClaudeEpisode: "Minder on the Orient Express"1986–1987Farrington of the F.O.Colonel Alberto Rodrigues2 episodes1991The Darling Buds of MayGabbyEpisode: "A Breath of French Air: Part 2"1992EldoradoDr. Garcia2 episodes1993LovejoyDuty SergeantEpisode: "Pig in a Poke"1994The BillJimmy WallaceEpisode: "Nowhere to Run"1995–1997The Ruth Rendell MysteriesStephano Taxi Driver2 episodes1998Touching EvilPaul Salvant2 episodes2004HeartbeatJudge YardleyEpisode: "A Call to Arms"
References
External links
Official Site: johnmoreno.org John (Juan) Moreno at Theatricalia John Moreno at British Film Institute