Johnny Seven (actor)

Johnny Seven
Born John Anthony Fetto, II
February 23, 1926
Brooklyn, New York,
United States
Died January 22, 2010 (aged 83)
Mission Hills, California
United States
Cause of death
 Lung cancer
Nationality American
Occupation Character actor
Religion Roman Catholic
Spouse(s) Edith Fetto (married c. 1949-2010, his death)

Johnny Seven (February 23, 1926 – January 22, 2010) was a prolific American character actor who appeared in twenty-six films[1] and approximately six hundred television programs[1] during his career, which spanned more than forty years.[1][2] His credits including a recurring role as Lt. Carl Reese on the 1968–1975 NBC television series, Ironside, and the 1960 film The Apartment, directed by Billy Wilder.[1]

Biography

Early life

Seven was born John Anthony Fetto, II, in Brooklyn, New York, on February 23, 1926.[1][2] His parents, who were Italian immigrants, also had five daughters.[2] Fetto began acting and singing as a teenager.[2]

He served with the United States Army in the Philippines during World War II[2] and performed with the United Service Organizations (USO).[2] Fetto earned his nickname "Johnny Seven" while serving in the Army and kept it as his stage name following the end of the war.[2]

Career

He began his acting career in New York City theater.[1]

He portrayed Karl Matuschka, the brother in-law of Shirley MacLaine's character, in The Apartment. In the film, he beats up the character played by Jack Lemmon.[1] His other film credits include a small role in The Last Mile (1959), Guns of the Timberland (1960), and What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?, a 1968 comedy directed by Blake Edwards.[1] Seven co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in Navajo Run, his western independent film released in 1964.[1]

On television, in addition to Ironside, he was cast in a spin-off series, Amy Prentiss.[2]

His other television credits included roles on Rescue 8, The Man from Blackhawk, Bonanza, Hennesey, The Everglades, Gunsmoke, CHiPs, Naked City, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (TV Series), The Phil Silvers Show, Batman(episodes 25 and 26), Death Valley Days, Peter Gunn, The Untouchables, The Rockford Files, The Wild Wild West, and Charlie's Angels.[1][2]

In addition to his acting career, Seven also owned a real estate business the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.[2]

Death

Johnny Seven died of complications from lung cancer at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, California, on January 22, 2010, at the age of eighty-three.[2] He was survived by his wife of sixty years, Edith.[1] His memorial service was held at St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish in Granada Hills, California, on February 6, 2010.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 Barnes, Mike (2010-01-26). "Prolific character actor Johnny Seven dies". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 "Johnny Seven, character actor, dies at 83". Los Angeles Times. 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2010-03-18.

External links