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John Alvin

John Alvin

Actor · Died February 27, 2009, aged 91 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

John Alvin, born John Alvin Hoffstadt was an American film, stage and television actor. Alvin was signed with Warner Brothers Studios for an exclusive four-year contract during the World War II era, although he was "borrowed" by 20th Century Fox to appear in 1944's Oscar-nominated The Fighting Sullivans. He appeared in more than 25 Warner Brothers films during this time, including Northern Pursuit (which starred Errol Flynn), The Beast with Five Fingers, The Very Thought of You, and Objective, Burma!. His pictures after the contract period included Irma la Douce, Inside Daisy Clover, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, and Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie. However, it was his role in the 1943 film Destination Tokyo, in which he co-starred with John Garfield and Cary Grant, that left the largest impression on Alvin. Years later, in a 2006 interview, Alvin credited Grant with having a major impact on his career path: "I learned more about show business from him than from anyone. He was very attentive and helpful." Alvin later enjoyed a separate television career, which spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s. His television credits included various roles on Leave It to Beaver, All in the Family, Lou Grant, Dragnet, General Hospital, Murder, She Wrote, Starsky and Hutch, The Incredible Hulk and I Spy. Alvin's also appeared in numerous television commercials advertising for such products as Mattel, H&R Block, McDonald's, Porsche and Audi. Alvin's theater repertoire included Send Me No Flowers, The Student Prince, The Chicago Conspiracy Trial and The Cradle Will Rock. He also appeared in a production of Rain, which was directed by Charlie Chaplin. He largely retired from acting in the 1990s; his final film appearance was in 1994's Milk Money. During his retirement, Alvin often showed his movies for audiences at the Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, an organization for senior citizens based in Thousand Oaks, California.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 24, 1917
Died
February 27, 2009 (aged 91)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
61 on MovieCove · 102 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 38% in 30 days

What are John Alvin's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
26%
Survival
24%
Bonds
23%
Power
11%
Self
9%
Ideas
8%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFate2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 5 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 3
Shadow
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Dread
5
Melancholic
5
Romantic
3
Joyful
2
Other
8

How their films linger

Bittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Alvin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 38 of their 61 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (23).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Alvin's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

102 credits, 61 with a MovieCove page.

  • Milk Money(1994)

    as Rich Old Guy

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Return to Green Acres(1990)

    as E. Wilfred

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Dennis the Menace(1987)

    as Mr. Bonfigli

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Rand

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Passions(1984)

    as Minister

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Frazier · as Mr. Tucker

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Somewhere in Time(1980)

    as Arthur's Father

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Hart to Hart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Clark

  • The Incredible Hulk(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Patterson

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Crackle of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • The Quest: The Longest Drive(1976)

    as Aames

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Starsky and Hutch(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Grocer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Legend of Lizzie Borden(1975)

    as Dr. Draper

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Kolchak: The Night Stalker(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Carrie

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Bowman

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Organization(1971)

    as Forensic Officer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Sweet, Sweet Rachel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Surgeon

  • All in the Family(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Bailiff

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • They Call Me Mister Tibbs!(1970)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Legend of Lylah Clare(1968)

    as Accountant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Second Hundred Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as John · as Mark Tolliver

  • Occasional Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Family Affair(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Get Smart(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Rhinehouse

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Munsters(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Franklin

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Cara Williams Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Marnie(1964)

    as Hotel Chauffeur (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Petticoat Junction(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Kimberly

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Irma la Douce(1963)

    as Customer #2

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Lucy Show(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Director

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1962)

    Show 2 episodes · as Harry Barth · as Photographer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • 87th Precinct (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cain's Hundred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Norman Reno

  • Bringing Up Buddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • My Three Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The DuPont Show with June Allyson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Photographer

  • One Step Beyond(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Bradley

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Rifleman(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Bronco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim March

  • Leave It to Beaver(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Assistant Bank Manager · as Bank Teller · as Phil - Bank Teller · as Sam Walsh

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Richard Diamond, Private Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Doc

  • Wire Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Dispatcher

  • Hey, Jeannie! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Man

  • Kentucky Rifle(1955)

    as Luke Thomas

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Illegal(1955)

    as Court Clerk (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The McConnell Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Johnny

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Navy Log (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Keegle

  • A Bullet for Joey(1955)

    as Constable Dan Percy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Millionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Defense Atty. Bill Irvin · as Prosecuting Attorney

  • Deep in My Heart(1954)

    as Mr. Mulvaney (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Climax! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Roscoe Crosby

  • The Shanghai Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as John Warren

  • The Whistler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Lone Wolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Johnson

  • Torpedo Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Professor

  • Wicked Woman(1953)

    as Bar Patron

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • April in Paris(1952)

    as Tracy

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Iron Mistress(1952)

    as Impatient Man in Tailor's Shop

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Four Star Playhouse(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk · as Third Mate

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Hopalong Cassidy(1952)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Carrie(1952)

    as Stage Manager

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Dangerous Assignment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dragnet(1951)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Unknown Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Photographer (uncredited)

  • Come Fill the Cup(1951)

    as Travis Ashbourne - Reporter

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Racket Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Missing Women(1951)

    as Eddie Ennis

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Living Christ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 12 episodes · as Joseph

  • The Jack Benny Program (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Juror

  • The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Wonder Glue Pitchman

  • The Breaking Point(1950)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Pretty Baby(1950)

    as Danny (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • This Side of the Law(1950)

    as Calder Taylor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Bright Leaf(1950)

    as Poker Player (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Lone Ranger(1949)

    Show 1 episode · as Sid

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Fountainhead(1949)

    as Young Intellectual (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Two Guys from Texas(1948)

    as Jim Crocker

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Shanghai Chest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Victor Armstrong

  • Train to Alcatraz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Nick

  • Romance on the High Seas(1948)

    as Charles - Travel Agent (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Bold Frontiersman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Don Post

  • Open Secret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Ralph

  • Rocky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Jack Arnold

  • Under Colorado Skies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Jeff Collins

  • Deep Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Convict

  • Cheyenne(1947)

    as Single Jack

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Love and Learn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as William

  • Stallion Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Radio Broadcaster (uncredited)

  • Nora Prentiss(1947)

    as San Francisco Ferry Boat Dispatcher (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Beast with Five Fingers(1946)

    as Donald Arlington

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Shadow of a Woman(1946)

    as Carl, Emma's Son

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Three Strangers(1946)

    as Junior Clerk

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • San Antonio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Pony Smith

  • Objective, Burma!(1945)

    as Hogan

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Very Thought of You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Cal Wheeler

  • The Fighting Sullivans(1944)

    as Madison Abel 'Matt' Sullivan

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Destination Tokyo(1943)

    as Sound Man

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Northern Pursuit(1943)

    as Orderly (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 101 titles from 1943 to 1994; peak year 1963.

Biggest box office

Somewhere in Time (1980)

$9.7M worldwide

Highest rated

Objective, Burma! (1945)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Somewhere in Time (1980)

Film career

19431994

Peak 1963 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting101 of 101: 101 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1940s24 · acting1950s41 · acting1960s17 · acting1970s12 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s2 · acting

Billing

usually 16th · top billed in 0% of 21 roles
434863

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do John Alvin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 53rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 61 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th23
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

36 of their 61 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser36
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Return to Green Acres (1990)

88th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Breaking Point (1950)

Midcredits 94th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does John Alvin work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Alvin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jack L. Warner shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers