John Merton (born Myrtland F. LaVarre; February 18, 1901 â€" September
19, 1959) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 250
films between 1927 and 1959, mostly as a villain.Born and raised in
Seattle with two other brothers, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during
World War I.He joined the New York Theatre Guild in 1919 and appeared
in a variety of shows. He made his film debut as a police officer in
Running Wild (1927) filmed in Long Island's Astoria Studios. He
travelled to Hollywood in 1932 and began a long career of small parts
in major films and villain roles in B-movies and film serials. He met
Cecil B. DeMille who cast him as a Roman guard in Cleopatra (1934)
that led to him appearing in all of DeMille's films up to and
including The Ten Commandments (1956). It was DeMille who suggested he
change his name to a more masculine John Merton.
19, 1959) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 250
films between 1927 and 1959, mostly as a villain.Born and raised in
Seattle with two other brothers, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during
World War I.He joined the New York Theatre Guild in 1919 and appeared
in a variety of shows. He made his film debut as a police officer in
Running Wild (1927) filmed in Long Island's Astoria Studios. He
travelled to Hollywood in 1932 and began a long career of small parts
in major films and villain roles in B-movies and film serials. He met
Cecil B. DeMille who cast him as a Roman guard in Cleopatra (1934)
that led to him appearing in all of DeMille's films up to and
including The Ten Commandments (1956). It was DeMille who suggested he
change his name to a more masculine John Merton.
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