John C. Becher (John C. Becher)
Actor. He was a veteran stage, film, and television actor whose career spanned 40 years. After graduating from high school, he attended Milwaukee State Teachers College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, followed by the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He made his first professional appearance in 1946 as ‘Lord Sands’ in a production of “Henry VIII” by the American Repertory Theater company at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. He stayed with the company for their 1946-1947 season, playing the ‘Lion’ in “Androcles and the Lion” and the ‘Queen of Hearts’ in “Alice in Wonderland.” In 1966 he played ‘Mr. Upson’ in the original Broadway theatre production of “Mame” at the Winter Garden Theatre, and returned to the role in the 1983 Broadway revival at the Gershwin Theatre. He also appeared in various other original Broadway productions, including “Skipper Next to God” (1948), “The Ballad of the Sad Cafe” (1963), and the short-lived “Status Quo Vadis” (1973). His numerous television credits include appearances on episodes of “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp” (1958), “Naked City” (1959 to 1963), “Sunday Showcase” (1960), “Car 54, Where Are You” (1961 to 1962), “The Patty Duke Show” (1964 to 1965), “The Defenders” (1965), “Kojak” (1977), “Taxi” (1979), “Little House on the Prairie” (1981), “Knots Landing” (1982), “Remington Steele” (1983), and “Murder, She Wrote” (1985). His film credits include appearances in “Next Stop, Greenwich Village” (1976), “Below the Belt” (1980), “Gremlins” (1984), and “Murphy’s Romance” (1986). He died of cancer at the age of 71. (bio by: William Bjornstad)
Born
- January, 15, 1915
- USA
Died
- September, 09, 1986
- USA
Cemetery
- Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
- California
- USA