John Saxon Biography
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John Saxon, birth name Carmine Orrico, was born on August 5, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York. As a youth with an interest in acting, he studied drama at a Manhattan school while simultaneously attending high school in Brooklyn. Also a model, his first big break happened when a Hollywood agent saw Saxon’s photograph on a magazine cover and offered him a Universal Studios contract at the age of seventeen. Saxon relocated to Los Angeles and studied at the studio’s acting school, while at the same time screen-testing for available roles.
He obtained his first major role in 1956, acting opposite Esther Williams in the film The Unguarded Moment, whose success propelled him into other leading male roles that increased his popularity.
As Leonard Bennett in The Unguarded Moment
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In 1961, after his contract with Universal Studios ended, Saxon traveled to Italy to initiate a European acting career. After a year, he returned to Los Angeles, focusing his talents on character acting in both television and film to further showcase his acting talents in more dramatic roles. Working with distinguished directors, he explored many film genres throughout the next decade, including horror, science fiction, and drama in films such as Queen of Blood, War Hunt, and The Time Tunnel.
As Pvt. Raymond Endore in War Hunt
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Within the Western genre, Saxon appeared in Cimarron Strip and episodes of The Virginian, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza, and films such as Winchester 73, Death of a Gunfighter, and The Appaloosa, of which he won a Golden Globe award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a Mexican bandit in the 1966 film.
As Dingo in Gunsmoke episode "Dry Road to Nowhere"
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As Chuy in The Appaloosa
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In the hit series Bonanza, fans recognize Saxon as Steven Friday, former ranch hand turned gunfighter in “Black Friday,” as Blas, a Mexican prospector who kidnaps Joe Cartwright in “The Conquistadores,” and as Jocova, a Paiute Indian chief who testifies as a witness regarding an altercation involving Candy Canaday and a second man in “My Friend, My Enemy.”
As Blas in "The Conquistadores"
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As Steven Friday in "Black Friday"
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As Chief Jocova in "My Friend, My Enemy"
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From an acting standpoint, working alongside onscreen idols such as Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, James Stewart, Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, Sean Connery, and Robert Redford, Saxon expanded his roles to include films such as Joe Kidd, The Electric Horseman, and his most famous film, Enter the Dragon, a blockbuster also starring Bruce Lee, which propelled Saxon to star status.
As Roper in Enter the Dragon
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An accomplished actor, Saxon spent the next three decades dividing his time onscreen between Italy and the United States. An established character actor in America, his leading man status and Hollywood connection made his acting talent especially popular in Europe. His Italian films and crime thrillers are numerous and include titles such as Strange New World, Prisoners of a Lost Universe, A Nightmare on Elm Street, From Dusk to Dawn, and Black Christmas.
As FBI Agent Stanley Chase in From Dusk to Dawn
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During the 1980s and early 90s, Saxon’s roles continued in films made both in the United States and abroad, some successful and others, mostly low-budget horror films, less so. Interspersed within the era, however, Saxon made regular appearances in numerous recognizable television series including Melrose Place, Dynasty, Murder, She Wrote, Falcon Crest, and more recently, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Tracy cap
Spanning five decades, Saxon’s career, which includes over 200 character acting roles, has earned him honors and recognition as a versatile actor and audience favorite. He also has a theatre and music performing background, and has expanded his talents to include screenwriting and directing.
Tracy cap
John Saxon, birth name Carmine Orrico, was born on August 5, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York. As a youth with an interest in acting, he studied drama at a Manhattan school while simultaneously attending high school in Brooklyn. Also a model, his first big break happened when a Hollywood agent saw Saxon’s photograph on a magazine cover and offered him a Universal Studios contract at the age of seventeen. Saxon relocated to Los Angeles and studied at the studio’s acting school, while at the same time screen-testing for available roles.
He obtained his first major role in 1956, acting opposite Esther Williams in the film The Unguarded Moment, whose success propelled him into other leading male roles that increased his popularity.
As Leonard Bennett in The Unguarded Moment
Tracy cap
In 1961, after his contract with Universal Studios ended, Saxon traveled to Italy to initiate a European acting career. After a year, he returned to Los Angeles, focusing his talents on character acting in both television and film to further showcase his acting talents in more dramatic roles. Working with distinguished directors, he explored many film genres throughout the next decade, including horror, science fiction, and drama in films such as Queen of Blood, War Hunt, and The Time Tunnel.
As Pvt. Raymond Endore in War Hunt
Tracy cap
Within the Western genre, Saxon appeared in Cimarron Strip and episodes of The Virginian, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza, and films such as Winchester 73, Death of a Gunfighter, and The Appaloosa, of which he won a Golden Globe award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a Mexican bandit in the 1966 film.
As Dingo in Gunsmoke episode "Dry Road to Nowhere"
Tracy cap
As Chuy in The Appaloosa
Tracy cap
In the hit series Bonanza, fans recognize Saxon as Steven Friday, former ranch hand turned gunfighter in “Black Friday,” as Blas, a Mexican prospector who kidnaps Joe Cartwright in “The Conquistadores,” and as Jocova, a Paiute Indian chief who testifies as a witness regarding an altercation involving Candy Canaday and a second man in “My Friend, My Enemy.”
As Blas in "The Conquistadores"
Bejules cap
As Steven Friday in "Black Friday"
Tracy cap
As Chief Jocova in "My Friend, My Enemy"
Calamity Liz cap
From an acting standpoint, working alongside onscreen idols such as Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, James Stewart, Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, Sean Connery, and Robert Redford, Saxon expanded his roles to include films such as Joe Kidd, The Electric Horseman, and his most famous film, Enter the Dragon, a blockbuster also starring Bruce Lee, which propelled Saxon to star status.
As Roper in Enter the Dragon
Tracy cap
An accomplished actor, Saxon spent the next three decades dividing his time onscreen between Italy and the United States. An established character actor in America, his leading man status and Hollywood connection made his acting talent especially popular in Europe. His Italian films and crime thrillers are numerous and include titles such as Strange New World, Prisoners of a Lost Universe, A Nightmare on Elm Street, From Dusk to Dawn, and Black Christmas.
As FBI Agent Stanley Chase in From Dusk to Dawn
Tracy cap
During the 1980s and early 90s, Saxon’s roles continued in films made both in the United States and abroad, some successful and others, mostly low-budget horror films, less so. Interspersed within the era, however, Saxon made regular appearances in numerous recognizable television series including Melrose Place, Dynasty, Murder, She Wrote, Falcon Crest, and more recently, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Tracy cap
Spanning five decades, Saxon’s career, which includes over 200 character acting roles, has earned him honors and recognition as a versatile actor and audience favorite. He also has a theatre and music performing background, and has expanded his talents to include screenwriting and directing.
