John Saxon, 'Enter the Dragon,' 'Nightmare on Elm Street' Actor, Dies at 83
John Saxon, the rugged actor who kicked around with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon and appeared in three Nightmare on Elm Street movies for director Wes Craven, died Saturday. He was 83.
Saxon died of pneumonia in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, his wife, Gloria, told The Hollywood Reporter.
An Italian-American from Brooklyn, Saxon played characters of various ethnicities during his long career.
His portrayal of a brutal Mexican bandit opposite Marlon Brando in The Appaloosa (1966) earned him a Golden Globe, and he had a recurring role on ABC's Dynasty as Rashid Ahmed, a powerful Middle East tycoon who romanced Alexis Colby (Joan Collins). And on another 1980s primetime soap, CBS' Falcon Crest, he played the father of Lorenzo Lamas' character.
Years earlier, Saxon starred from 1969-72 as the surgeon Theodore Stuart on "The New Doctors" rotating segment of the NBC drama series The Bold Ones.
Discovered by the same agent who launched the careers of Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter, Saxon first gained notice for his performance as a disturbed high school football star who taunts Esther Williams in The Unguarded Moment (1956). In the film's credits, he's billed as "the exciting new personality John Saxon."
He played a police chief who makes a fatal mistake in the Canadian cult classic Black Christmas (1974), featuring Margot Kidder and Keir Dullea, and his horror résumé also includes two films for Roger Corman: Queen of Blood (1966) and Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), playing a tyrannical warlord.
In Warner Bros.' Enter the Dragon (1973), Lee's first mainstream American movie and last before his death at age 32, Saxon portrayed Roper, a degenerate gambler who participates in a martial arts tournament. In real life, his fighting skills did not approach those possessed by Lee and another co-star, karate champion Jim Kelly.
Saxon, though, said that Lee "took me seriously. I would tell him I would rather do it this way, and he'd say, 'OK, try it that way,' " he told the Los Angeles Times in 2012.
Saxon played the cop Donald Thompson in the first and third films in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, where he's eventually killed by Freddy Krueger's skeleton. He then returned to play a version of himself in New Nightmare (1994).
He was born Carmine Orrico on Aug. 5, 1936, the eldest of three children of an Italian immigrant house painter. While in high school, he worked as a spieler at a Coney Island archery concession, becoming proficient with the bow and arrow.
"Brooklyn was a tough place to grow up in, but it taught you survival, and if you were ambitious, it taught you to want better things," he once said.
Walking out of a movie theater after skipping class at New Utrecht High School, he was spotted by a male modeling agent and then appeared in magazines like True Romances.
One photo shoot, which he said pictured him as a "Puerto Rican guy" leaning against a garbage can after he had been shot, caught the attention of Henry Willson, the legendary Hollywood agent who had discovered Hudson and Hunter.
Then just 17, Saxon signed with Willson, studied dramatics for six months with Betty Cashman at Carnegie Hall and flew to Hollywood, where he was quickly signed by Universal. He attended the studio's workshop for 18 months and then worked with Mamie Van Doren in Running Wild (1955).
After Unguarded Moment, Saxon appeared as young rock 'n' roll musicians in Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) and Summer Love (1958) and played opposite Sandra Dee in The Reluctant Debutante (1958), directed by Vincente Minnelli, and Debbie Reynolds in Blake Edwards' This Happy Feeling (1958).
In Cry Tough (1959), Saxon starred as a tough Puerto Rican kid from New York, and in War Hunt (1962), he was top-billed as a psychotic solider. (Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack also were in the cast, and the three would reunite in 1979 for The Electric Horseman.)
Never shy about showing off his machismo, Saxon also co-starred with Clint Eastwood in Joe Kidd (1972) and played a dirty union lawyer in Andrew McLaglen's Mitchell (1975).
His film résumé also included Mario Bava's Evil Eye (1963), Otto Preminger's The Cardinal (1963), Blood Beast From Outer Space (1965), The Swiss Conspiracy (1976), Wrong Is Right (1982), Richard Brooks' Fever Pitch (1985), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) and God's Ears (2008).
He was married three times, to screenwriter Mary Ann Murphy, airline attendant turned actress Elizabeth Saxon and, since 2008, cosmetician Gloria Martel. Survivors also include his son, Antonio, and his sister, Dolores.
Filmography
Film
Year , Title , Role , Notes
1954, It Should Happen to You, Boy Watching Argument in Park, Uncredited
1954, A Star Is Born, Movie Premiere Usher, Uncredited
1955, Running Wild, Vince Pomeroy,
1956, The Unguarded Moment, Leonard Bennett,
1956, Rock, Pretty Baby, Jimmy Daley,
1957, Summer Love, Jimmy Daley,
1958, This Happy Feeling, Bill Tremaine,
1958, The Reluctant Debutante, David Parkson,
1958, The Restless Years, Will Henderson,
1959, Cry Tough, Miguel Antonio Enrico Francisco Estrada,
1959, The Big Fisherman, Prince Voldi,
1960, The Unforgiven, Johnny Portugal,
1960, Portrait in Black, Blake Richards,
1960, The Plunderers, Rondo,
1961, Posse from Hell, Seymour Kern,
1962, War Hunt, Pvt. Raymond Endore,
1962, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation, Byron Grant,
1962, Agostino, Renzo,
1963, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, Dr. Marcello Bassi,
1963, The Cardinal, Benny Rampell,
1964, The Cavern, Pvt. Joe Cramer,
1965, The Ravagers, Capt. Kermit Dowling, Also known as: In the Philippines: Only the Brave Know Hell
1965, The Night Caller, Dr. Jack Costain,
1966, Queen of Blood, Allan Brenner,
1966, The Appaloosa, Chuy, Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor — Motion Picture [18]
1966, The Doomsday Flight, George Ducette, Television film
1967, Winchester '73, Dakin McAdam, Television film
1968, Istanbul Express, Cheval, Television film
1968, For Singles Only, Bret Hendley,
1968, One Dollar Too Many, Clay Watson,
1969, Death of a Gunfighter, Lou Trinidad,
1971, "The Men From Shiloh (rebranded name of The Virginian, Sgt. Terence Mulcahy, TV western
1971, Mr Kingstreet's War, Jim Kingstreet,
1972, Joe Kidd, Luis Chama,
1973, I Kiss the Hand, Gaspare Ardizzone,
1973, Enter the Dragon, Roper,
1974, Planet Earth, Dylan Hunt,
1974, Black Christmas, Lt. Ken Fuller,
1975, Metralleta 'Stein', Mariano Beltrán,
1975, Mitchell, Walter Deaney,
1976, The Swiss Conspiracy, Robert Hayes,
1976, Strange Shadows in an Empty Room, Sgt. Ned Matthews,
1976, Violent Naples, Francesco Capuano,
1976, Mark Strikes Again, Inspector Altman,
1976, A Special Cop in Action, Jean Albertelli,
1976, Cross Shot, Commissioner Jacovella,
1977, Raid on Entebbe, Gen. Benny Peled,
1977, The Cynic, the Rat and the Fist, DiMaggio,
1977, Moonshine County Express, J.B. Johnson,
1977, Tre soldi e la donna di classe, ,
1978, The Bees, John Norman,
1978, Shalimar, Col. Columbus,
1979, Fast Company, Phil Adamson,
1979, The Glove, Sam Kellog,
1979, The Electric Horseman, Hunt Sears,
1980, Beyond Evil, Larry Andrews,
1980, Cannibal Apocalypse, Norman Hopper,
1980, Battle Beyond the Stars, Sador,
1980, Running Scared, Captain Munoz,
1981, Blood Beach, Captain Pearson,
1982, Wrong Is Right, Homer Hubbard,
1982, Una di troppo, Sergio Puccini the notary,
1982, Scorpion with Two Tails, Arthur Barnard,
1982, Tenebrae, Bullmer,
1982, Desire, Joe Hale,
1983, Prisoners of the Lost Universe, Kleel,
1983, The Big Score, Davis,
1984, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Lt. Donald Thompson,
1985, Fever Pitch, Sports editor,
1986, Hands of Steel, Francis Turner,
1987, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Donald Thompson, credited as Special Appearance
1987, House Made of Dawn, Tosamah,
1987, Death House, Colonel Gordon Burgess,
1988, The Last Samurai, ,
1988, Nightmare Beach, Strycher,
1989, My Mom's a Werewolf, Harry Thropen,
1989, Criminal Act, Herb Tamplin,
1990, Aftershock, Oliver Quinn,
1990, The Final Alliance, Ghost,
1990, Crossing the Line, Jack Kagan,
1990, Blood Salvage, Clifford Evans,
1991, The Arrival, Agent Mills,
1992, Maximum Force, Captain Fuller,
1992, Hellmaster, Professor Jones,
1993, The Baby Doll Murders, John Maglia,
1993, No Escape No Return, James Mitchell,
1993, Jonathan of the Bears, Fred Goodwin,
1994, Beverly Hills Cop III, Orrin Sanderson,
1994, Killing Obsession, Dr. Sachs,
1994, Wes Craven's New Nightmare, Himself/Donald Thompson,
1994, Frame-Up II: The Cover-Up, Charles Searage,
1996, From Dusk till Dawn, FBI Agent Stanley Chase,
1997, The Killers Within, Detective Lewis,
1997, Lancelot: Guardian of Time, Wolvencroft,
1998, The Party Crashers, Mr. Foster,
1998, Joseph's Gift, Jacob Keller,
1999, Criminal Minds, Antonio DiPaolo Jr.,
2001, Final Payback, Police Chief George Moreno,
2001, Night Class, Murphy,
2002, Outta Time, James Darabont,
2003, The Road Home, Michael Curtis,
2006, The Craving Heart, Richard Tom,
2006, Trapped Ashes, Leo, Segment: "Stanley's Girlfriend"
2008, God's Ears, Lee Robinson,
2009, Old Dogs, Paul,
2009, War Wolves, Tony Ford,
2009, The Mercy Man, Father McMurray,
2010, Genghis Khan, Chiledu,
2015, The Extra, Victor Vallient,
Television
Year , Title , Role , Notes
1955 , Medic , Danny Ortega , — "Walk with Lions"
1961 , General Electric Theater , Martin Glass , — "Cate in the Cradle"
1962 , The Dick Powell Theatre , Nick Giller , — "A Time to Die"
1963–1964 , Burke's Law , Gil Lynch / Bud Charney , 2 episodes — "Who Killed Cable Roberts" (1963) — "Who Killed the Horne of Plenty?" (1964)
1964 , Another World , Edward Gerard #1 , (1985–1986)
1964–1966 , Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre , Mario Silvetti / Augie , 2 episodes — "Echo of Evil" (1964) — "After the Lion, Jackals" (1966)
1965–1975 , Gunsmoke , Gristy Calhoun / Pedro Manez / Virgil Stanley / Cal Strom, Jr. / Dingo , 5 episodes — "Dry Road to Nowhere" (1965) — "The Avengers" (1965) — "The Whispering Tree" (1966) — "The Pillagers" (1967) — "The Squaw" (1975)
1966 , Dr. Kildare , Richard Ross , 2 episodes — "The Art of Taking a Powder" — "Read the Book and Then See the Picture"
1966 , The Doomsday Flight , George Ducette , TV Movie
1967 , The Time Tunnel , Marco Polo , — "Attack of the Barbarians"
1967 , Winchester 73 , Dakin McAdam , TV Movie
1967 , Cimarron Strip , Screamer , — "Journey to a Hanging"
1967 , Garrison's Gorillas , Janus , — "20 Gallons to Kill"
1967–1969 , Bonanza , Chief Jocova / Blas / Steven Friday , 3 episodes — "Black Friday" (1967) — "The Conquistadores" (1967) — "My Friend, My Enemy" (1969)
1967–1970 , Ironside , Eric Saginor / Carter , 2 episodes — "An Inside Job" (1967) — "Ransom" (1970)
1967–1971 , The Virginian , Sergeant Terence Mulcahy / Ben Oakes / Dell Stetler , 3 episodes — "The Modoc Kid" (1967) — "Vision of Blindness" (1968) — "The Regimental Line" (1971)
1968 , It Takes a Thief , Dead Man , — "A Thief Is a Thief"
1968 , The Name of the Game , Peter Max , — "Collector's Edition"
1968 , Istanbul Express , Cheval , TV Movie
1969 , The Bold Ones: The New Doctors , Dr. Theodore Stuart , recurring role (29 episodes)
1970 , Company of Killers , Dave Poohler , TV Movie
1970 , The Intruders , Billy Pye , TV Movie
1972 , The Sixth Sense , Dr. Harry Auden , — "Lady, Lady, Take My Life"
1972 , Night Gallery , Ianto (segment "I'll Never Leave You – Ever") , — "I'll Never Leave You – Ever / There Aren't Any More MacBanes"
1972 , Kung Fu , Raven , — "King of the Mountain"
1972 , Banyon , Johnny Clay , — "The Clay Clarinet"
1972 , Norman Corwin Presents , unknown role , — "The Better It Looks, the Worse It Is"
1973 , Snatched , Paul Maxvill , TV Movie
1973 , The Streets of San Francisco , Vincent "Vince" Hagopian, Jr. , — "A Collection of Eagles"
1973 , The Rookies , Farley , — "Cauldron"
1973 , Linda , Jeff Braden , TV Movie
1973 , Police Story , Rick Calvelli , — "Death on Credit"
1974 , Banacek , Harry Harland , — "The Vanishing Chalice"
1974 , Can Ellen Be Saved? , James Hallbeck , TV Movie
1974 , Planet Earth , Dylan Hunt , TV Movie
1974 , The Mary Tyler Moore Show , Mike Tedesca , — "Menage-a-Phyllis"
1974–1976 , The Six Million Dollar Man , Nedlick / Major Frederick Sloan , 2 episodes — "Day of the Robot" (1974) — "The Return of Bigfoot: Part 1" (1976)
1975 , Crossfire , Dave Ambrose , TV Movie
1975 , Strange New World , Captain Anthony Vico , TV Movie
1975 , Petrocelli , Richie Martin , — "Mark of Cain"
1976 , The Rockford Files , Dave Delaroux , — "A Portrait of Elizabeth"
1976 , The Bionic Woman , Nedlick , — "The Return of Bigfoot: Part 2"
1976 , Starsky and Hutch , Rene Nadasy , — "The Vampire"
1976 , Wonder Woman , Captain Radl , 2 episodes
1976 , Once an Eagle , Captain Townshend , Miniseries (4 episodes)
1976 , Raid on Entebbe , General Benny Peled , TV Movie
1977 , Most Wanted , Randall Mason , — "The Insider"
1977 , The Fantastic Journey , Consul Tarant , — "A Dream of Conquest"
1977 , Westside Medical , Bob Farrow , — "Intensive Care"
1977 , Quincy M.E. , Publisher Charles Desskasa , — "Sullied By Thy Name"
1977 , Harold Robbins' 79 Park Avenue , Harry Vito , Miniseries (3 episodes)
1978 , The Immigrants , Alan Brocker , TV Movie
1978 , Greatest Heroes of the Bible , Adonijah , — "The Judgement of Solomon"
1978–1984 , Fantasy Island , Michael Anderson / Cyrano de Bergerac / Monsieur Berandt Sabatier / Evan Watkins / Professor Harold DeHaven / Colin McArthur / Dr. Roger Sullivan , 6 episodes
1979 , Hawaii Five-O , Harry Clive , — "The Bark and the Bite"
1980 , Vega$ , Michael Jennings , — "Aloha, You're Dead"
1981 , Golden Gate , Monty Sager , TV Movie
1982 , Rooster , Jerome Brademan , TV Movie
1982–1984 , Dynasty , Rashid Ahmed , Recurring role (6 episodes)
1982–1988 , Falcon Crest , Tony Cumson , Recurring role (32 episodes)
1983 , Savage in the Orient , Nick Costa , TV Movie
1983 , Hardcastle and McCormick , Martin Cody , — "Rolling Thunder"
1983 , Scarecrow and Mrs. King , Dirk Fredericks , 2 episodes — "The First Time" — "Saved by the Bells"
1983–1985 , The A-Team , Kalem / Martin James , 2 episodes — "Children of Jamestown" (1983) — "Moving Targets" (1985)
1984 , Magnum P.I. , Ed Russler , — "Jororo Farewell"
1984 , Masquerade , Joey Savane , — "The French Correction"
1984 , Finder of Lost Loves , Commander Zach Donahue , — "White Lies"
1984 , American Playhouse Presents , Epps , — "Solomon Northup's Odyssey"
1984–1994 , Murder, She Wrote , Bernardo Bonelli / Marco Gambini / Jerry Lydecker , 3 episodes — "Hooray for Homicide" (1984) — "A Very Good Year for Murder" (1988) — "Proof in the Pudding" (1994)
1985 , Half Nelson , unknown role , — "Diplomatic Immunity"
1985 , Brothers-in-Law , Royal Cane , TV Movie
1985 , Glitter , The Author , — "The Matriarch"
1987 , Alfred Hitchcock Presents , Garth December , — "The Specialty of the House"
1987 , Hotel , Jack Curtis , — "Fallen Angel"
1989 , The Ray Bradbury Theatre , Dudley Stone , — "The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone"
1991 , Monsters , Benjamin O'Connell , — "The Waiting Room"
1991 , Matlock , John Franklin , — "The Parents"
1991 , Payoff , Rafael Concion , TV Movie
1991 , Blackmail , Gene , TV Movie
1991 , In the Heat of the Night , Dalton Sykes , — "Liar's Poker"
1992 , Lucky Luke , The Man in Black , — "Magia Indiana"
1994–1995 , Melrose Place , Henry Waxman , recurring role (4 episodes)
1995 , Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story , Richard Brooks , TV Movie
1996 , Kung Fu: The Legend Continues , Straker , — "Escape"
1997 , California , Don Rafael Guevara , — "Episode #1.1"
2001 , Living in Fear , Reverend Leo Hausman , TV Movie
2005 , CSI: Crime Scene Investigation , Walter Gordon , — "Grave Danger: Part 1"
2006 , Masters of Horror , Jeb "Pa" Jameson , — "Pelts"
2009 , War Wolves , Tony Ford , TV Movie
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