Actor. Born John Compton Tolley in Tennessee, his father was a liquor manufacturer, John moved to New York City, where he launched his professional acting debut on Broadway, with a starring role in the production of “The Ryan Girl” (1945). He broke into motion pictures during the 1940s and had minor roles in the films “Mildred Pierce” (1945) and “Night and Day” (1946), before graduating to more roles of substance in such pictures as “The Glass Menagerie” (1950). Compton’s most accomplished work was on TV in such programs as “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “Gunsmoke”. He will perhaps be best remembered for playing ‘Shannon’ in the TV series “The D.A.’s Man” (1959). (bio by: C.S.)