John Mcmartin, born on November 18, 1929, in Warsaw, Indiana, was an accomplished American actor renowned for his extensive work across Broadway, off-Broadway, regional theatre, film, and television. His career, spanning decades, earned him critical acclaim and numerous accolades, solidifying his place as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
McMartin’s talent was recognized early in his career. He received five Tony Award nominations, four specifically for his memorable performances in musicals such as Sweet Charity (1966), Show Boat (1995), High Society (1998), and Into the Woods (2002). While a Tony Award win eluded him, he garnered two Drama Desk Awards in 1973 for his outstanding work in The Great God Brown and Don Juan, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and powerful performer. His Drama Desk Award nominations also included High Society (1998) and Grey Gardens (2006), showcasing his consistent excellence throughout his career.
Beyond the stage, John McMartin made notable contributions to both film and television. He appeared in eight made-for-television movies and fourteen feature films, including iconic titles like A Thousand Clowns (1965), All the President’s Men (1976), Blow Out (1981), Native Son (1986), and Kinsey (2004). His presence on television was equally significant, with guest-starring roles in a wide array of popular series, from Marcus Welby, M.D. and The Partridge Family to The Rockford Files, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Murder, She Wrote, The Golden Girls, Cheers, Law & Order, and Frasier, among many others. This diverse range of roles highlights his adaptability and enduring appeal to audiences across different genres and platforms.
Raised in Minnesota after being born in Indiana, John McMartin pursued higher education in Illinois and New York, setting the stage for his theatrical journey. His off-Broadway debut in 1959 in Little Mary Sunshine, where he played Corporal Billy Jester, was a resounding success, earning him a Theatre World Award. This early triumph quickly led to Broadway appearances in The Conquering Hero and Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole, both in 1961, establishing him as a rising talent on the Broadway scene. He also gained experience in television daytime dramas, notably As the World Turns, and made guest appearances on other TV shows during this period. A significant, though ultimately unrealized, opportunity came in 1965 when he starred in Pleasures and Palaces, a musical intended for Broadway that unfortunately closed after its initial run in Detroit. However, the same year marked his film debut in A Thousand Clowns, launching his film career. In 1966, McMartin originated the role of Oscar in the Broadway production of Sweet Charity opposite Gwen Verdon, a role he reprised in the 1969 film adaptation starring Shirley MacLaine, bringing his stage success to a wider cinematic audience.
The 1970s were a particularly fruitful period for John McMartin as he became a prominent member of the New Phoenix Repertory Company. During this time, he showcased his versatility and depth by performing in a diverse repertoire of classic and contemporary plays, including The Great God Brown by Eugene O’Neill, Molière’s Don Juan, The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Chemin de Fer by Georges Feydeau, Pirandello’s The Rules of the Game, and Congreve’s Love for Love. His connection to the works of Stephen Sondheim is also noteworthy. McMartin performed “The Road You Didn’t Take” and “Live, Laugh, Love” in the Tony Award-winning Follies (1973). He further explored Sondheim’s genius in regional productions of A Little Night Music and in the 2002 Broadway revival of Into the Woods, which earned him another Tony nomination. His other Broadway credits include roles in Happy New Year (1980), A Little Family Business (1983), and Artist Descending a Staircase (1989). In 2006, he originated the dual roles of J.V. “Major” Bouvier and Norman Vincent Peale in Grey Gardens, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2007. Adding to his extensive theatrical resume, McMartin revisited the role of Anton Schill in the musical version of The Visit by Kander and Ebb in Chicago in 2001, a role he had previously played in the 1973 New Phoenix revival, demonstrating his enduring engagement with significant works throughout his career.
John McMartin’s personal life included a marriage to Cynthia Baer, a producer of Little Mary Sunshine, from 1960 to 1971. He had two daughters. His legacy remains that of a dedicated and exceptionally talented actor who left an indelible mark on both the stage and screen, celebrated for his range, commitment, and significant contributions to American entertainment.
– LEC
