Quick Facts
VirgoBiography
John Milford (September 7, 1929 - August 23, 2000) (An obituary printed Wednesday, August 16, 2000, gives his death as "Monday," which was August 14, 2000.) was an American actor in theatre, television, and films, playing scores of roles, often as a western villain. He was estimated to have had about 500 appearances in TV roles.
Early years
Born in Johnstown, New York, Milford studied Civil Engineering at Union College but chose to pursue his first love, acting. He "worked for some years with Los Angeles' Bureau of Public Works."
Career
Milford first appeared on television in the 1940s on What's My Name? on KGRB in Albany, New York.
After making his film debut in Marty in 1955, Milford went on to act in dozens of film and TV roles, especially in westerns such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Big Valley, The Rifleman, and The Virginian.
From 1959 to 1960, Milford was cast in ten episodes as the historical Ike Clanton on the ABC/Desilu series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian as Wyatt Earp. Milford's last episode is entitled "Wyatt's Bitterest Enemy". Trevor Bardette appeared on the series in the role of Newman Haynes Clanton, or Old Man Clanton, Ike's father.
In 1965 Milford had a recurring role as Cole Younger in the ABC series The Legend of Jesse James, starring Christopher Jones.
Throughout his career Milford continued to work in the theater. He founded the Chamber Theater at 3759 Cahuenga Blvd, pioneering Equity Waiver productions in Los Angeles, and helped launch the careers of actors such as Richard Chamberlain and Vic Morrow.
Milford's Los Angeles Times obituary credits him with using his engineering background to help create the original design for the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
Death
Milford died of skin cancer in 2000. He was survived by his wife, TV producer Susan Graw, and two sons.