John Benjamin Myhers (December 18, 1921 – May 27, 1992) was an American stage and screen actor. His film roles included playing Mr. Bratt in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967), Robert Livingston in the 1972 film adaptation of the Broadway musical 1776, and as the leader of the Roman Senate in Mel Brooks' History of the World, Part I (1981).
Early life and education
Myhers was born in Strum, Wisconsin,
[ ] the son of Ole Myhers (1896–1941) and Mabel (née Borreson) Myhers (1902–1964), who later married Hal DeRoach.
Myhers began singing at the age of 12 and won several leading roles in the St. Paul Civic Opera during his student years at McPhail School of Music in St. Paul. He served in the United States Armed Forces in
Italy during World War II and stayed in Rome for 11 years after the war. He studied at the American Academy and earned a
doctoral degree in
literature from the University of Rome.
Career
Theatre
He performed leading roles in Broadway shows such as
Kiss Me Kate,
[ ] The Golden Fleecing and
The Good Soup,
and most notably played the role of Captain Von Trapp in the First National Touring Company of
The Sound of Music in the early 1960s and later.
[ ][ ] He played opposite Katharine Hepburn in a Stratford, Connecticut, production of
Antony and Cleopatra.
[ ] He also appeared opposite actors such as
Jack Lemmon and
Charlton Heston in theatrical plays across the country.
Film
His most notable film role was playing Bert O. Bratt in the film adaptation of
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He played Robert Livingston in
1776 (he also played the role in the Broadway version), and also appeared in
Mel Brooks'
History of the World, Part I as the leader of the Roman Senate. Other film credits include
Quo Vadis,
[ ] Willard,
Weddings and Babies, and several Disney movies (including
Treasure of Matecumbe,
The Shaggy D.A. and
Now You See Him, Now You Don't). Myhers wrote, directed and made a cameo appearance in the little-known 1965 comedy
Saturday Night Bath in Apple Valley, which co-starred his wife Joan Benedict (later Joan Benedict Steiger) and was issued on VHS and DVD-R by Something Weird Video.
Television
Myhers also had a robust career on television, appearing on shows like
Get Smart;
Hogan's Heroes;
The Mothers-in-Law;
I Dream of Jeannie;
Love, American Style;
Alice;
The Waltons and
Fantasy Island. He was also the voice of
Hector Heathcote on
The Hector Heathcote Show in 1961, and in a series of animated shorts that ran from 1959 to 1971. His last acting appearance was in 1985 on
The Twilight Zone in the episode "
Ye Gods".
Personal life and death
Myhers was married to Joan Benedict from 1962 to his death in 1992.
He died of pneumonia on May 27, 1992, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, and was survived by his wife and his daughter Claudia Myhers Tschudin. Myhers is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills.
[Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.]
Partial filmography
-
La vendetta del corsaro (1951)
-
Quo Vadis (1951) as Guard (uncredited)
-
O.K. Nero! (1951)
-
The Small Miracle (1951)
-
Weddings and Babies (1958) as Al
-
Saturday Night in Apple Valley (1965)
-
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967) as Bert O. Bratt
-
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968) as Boss
-
The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968) as Lt. Cmdr. Roger Snavely
-
2000 Years Later (1969) as Air Force General
-
Willard (1971) as Carlson
-
Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972) as Golfer
-
1776 (1972) as Robert Livingston (NY)
-
Snowball Express (1972) as Mr. Manescue
-
Awake and Sing! (1972 PBS - TV) as Schlosser
-
Walking Tall (1973) as Lester Dickens
-
Herbie Rides Again (1974) as Announcer at San Francisco's Office of the President
-
The Strongest Man in the World (1975) as Mr. Roscoe
-
Linda Lovelace for President (1975) as Billy Leroy Boy
-
Train Ride to Hollywood (1975) as Sheik
-
Street People (1976) as Francis (uncredited)
-
Treasure of Matecumbe (1976) as Captain Boomer
-
The Shaggy D.A. (1976) as Adm. Brenner
-
The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington (1977) as Donald Axelrod
-
The Billion Dollar Hobo (1977) as Cox
-
The Prize Fighter (1979) as Doyle
-
History of the World, Part I (1981) as Leader of Senate (The Roman Empire)
External links
