John Marley (born Mortimer Marlieb, October 17, 1907 - May 22, 1984) was an American actor who was known for his role as Phil Cavalleri in Love Story and as Jack Woltz— the defiant film mogul who awakens to find the severed head of his prized horse in his bed—in The Godfather (1972). He starred in John Cassavetes' feature Faces (1968) and appeared in The Glitter Dome (1984).

Career

Marley served in the United States Army during World War II. Marley was a prolific character actor, appearing in nearly 150 films and television series, including Bourbon Street Beat, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Hawaii Five-0, Johnny Staccato, and CBS's anthology series, The Lloyd Bridges Show throughout a career that spanned forty-five years.

In 1960, he portrayed the Oglala Lakota Chief Crazy Horse on the episode "Escort Detail" of NBC's western series, Overland Trail, starring William Bendix and Doug McClure. In 1961, he guest starred as Josiah Brady in the episode "Hand of Vengeance", along with Denver Pyle, on the syndicated western series, Two Faces West. He was cast as George Campbell in the 1961 episode "Jerkwater" of the ABC western series, The Rebel, starring Nick Adams. In 1962 he played the role of murderer Matthew Owen in the Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Angry Astronaut."

Marley was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in Love Story but lost to John Mills, who won for Ryan's Daughter. One of his most notable roles, albeit short, was that of film producer Jack Woltz in The Godfather. He played 'Max', a film producer who was a caring father figure to Burt Reynolds in the stuntman tribute, Hooper.

He appeared in the popular television series, The Incredible Hulk as the father of the main character, David Banner, as D.W. Banner.

His son is actor Ben Marley, who has appeared in many films, including Jaws 2.

On stage, Marley appeared in the world premiere production of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry drama, Conversation At Midnight in 1961 in Los Angeles, in an ensemble cast which included James Coburn, Jack Albertson and Eduard Franz. The production was directed by Robert Gist and produced by Worley Thorne and Susan Davis.

Death

In 1984, Marley died at age 76 following open-heart surgery. He is interred at Cedar Park Cemetery, in Emerson, New Jersey.

Selected filmography

[ Source: Wikipedia ]