biography
Born in Hollywood on September 7, 1937, it's ironic that John Phillip Law had his first success as an actor in European films. Raised
in the Los Angeles area, the 6'4" blonde youth spent a lot of time at movie studios as a child, where he found frequent but uncredited
work as an extra. Upon graduating from high school, Law left California for the University of Hawaii in the mid 1950s. After dabbling
in acting in college, Law went to New York after completing his studies and soon found roles on Broadway. Eventually, he found plum
roles in the Broadway productions Come on Strong (1962), The Changeling (1964), and the comedy Tartuffe (1965).
With Jane Fonda in Law's breakthrough role as Pygar in the fantasy Barbarella (1968)
When he was between Broadway shows, on occasion Law would nab quick roles in Italian films, such as Smog (1962) and Three Nights of Love (1964; with Adolfo Celi). His breakthrough role came in the comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966; with Alan Arkin and Carl Reiner). With his well received performance in that film, Law's career took off in the late 1960s, when he was cast in such films as Barbarella (1968; with Jane Fonda), Danger: Diabolik (1968; with Marisa Mell), and The Sergeant (1968; with Rod Steiger). In 1970, when actor Brian Kelly was paralyzed following a motorcycle accident, Law stepped into Kelly's starring role in Columbia's then-shocking release The Love Machine, adapted from Jacqueline Susann's best-selling novel. |
the films of john phillip lawThe Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966)
From the Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming with Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, and Alan ArkinHurry Sundown (1967)
From Paramount's seedy drama Hurry Sundown, directed by Otto PremingerDanger: Diabolik (1968)  
As the comic book antihero Diabolik in the Dino de Laurentiis production Danger: Diabolik with Marisa Mell. This film was directed by Mario BavaBarbarella (1968) 
From the campy Dino de Laurentiis production Barbarella. LEFT: As Pygar the blind angel. RIGHT: With Jane Fonda as the title characterThe Sergeant (1968) 
From the then-controversial Warner Bros. release The Sergeant. LEFT: Law with Rod Steiger in the title role. RIGHT: With Philip Roye.Death Rides a Horse (1968)The Love Machine (1971) 
Columbia's racy release The Love Machine was adapted from the novel by Jacqueline Susann. LEFT: With Clinton Greyn and Dyan Cannon. RIGHT: With Dyan Cannon and David HemmingsThe Red Baron (1971)
From Roger Corman's The Red Baron. Law stars as Baron Manfred Von RichthofenThe Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974) 
LEFT: From The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, which features effects by Ray Harryhausen. RIGHT: With Caroline MunroThe Cassandra Crossing (1976)
From the disaster thriller The Cassandra Crossing with Burt LancasterTarzan, the Ape Man (1981)
With Richard Harris and Bo Derek in the adventure Tarzan, the Ape Manlater yearsWith his film career slowing down in the 1980s, John Phillip Law took roles in low budget productions and direct-to-video releases including Night Train to Terror (1985; with Richard Moll), Space Mutiny (1988; with Reb Brown), and Cold Heat (1989; with Britt Ekland). Active until the end of his life, his final release was the drama Vic (2006; with Clu Gulager). Sadly John Phillip Law passed away at home from pancreatic cancer in Los Angeles on May 13, 2008 at the age of 70. He was survived by his daughter Dawn and a grandson. |
filmographyFILM
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This page premiered February 5, 2004.
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