John Myhers

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 theBroadway musicalHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying(1967),Robert Livingstonin the 1972 film adaptation of theBroadway musical1776,and as the leader of the Roman Senate inMel Brooks'History of the World, Part I(1981).

John Myhers
Myhers inHogan's Heroes(1967)
Born	John Benjamin Myhers (1921-12-18)December 18, 1921 Strum, Wisconsin,U.S.
Died	May 27, 1992(1992-05-27)(aged 70) Los Angeles,California,U.S.
Years active	1951–1985
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Spouse	Joan Benedict ​ (m.1962)​
Children	1

Early life and education

Myhers was born inStrum, 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 theUnited States Armed ForcesinItalyduringWorld War IIand stayed in Rome for 11 years after the war. He studied at the American Academy and earned adoctoral degreeinliteraturefrom theUniversity of Rome.

Career

Theatre

He performed leading roles in Broadway shows such asKiss Me Kate,The Golden FleecingandThe Good Soup,and most notably played the role ofCaptain Von Trappin the First National Touring Company ofThe Sound of Musicin the early 1960s and later.He played oppositeKatharine Hepburnin aStratford, Connecticut,production ofAntony and Cleopatra.He also appeared opposite actors such asJack LemmonandCharlton Hestonin theatrical plays across the country.

Film

His most notable film role was playing Bert O. Bratt in the film adaptation ofHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.He playedRobert Livingstonin1776(he also played the role in theBroadway version), and also appeared inMel Brooks'History of the World, Part Ias the leader of the Roman Senate. Other film credits includeQuo Vadis,Willard,Weddings and Babies,and several Disney movies (includingTreasure of Matecumbe,The Shaggy D.A.andNow You See Him, Now You Don't). Myhers wrote, directed and made a cameo appearance in the little-known 1965 comedySaturday 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 likeGet Smart;Hogan's Heroes;The Mothers-in-Law;I Dream of Jeannie;Love, American Style;Alice;The WaltonsandFantasy Island.He was also the voice ofHector HeathcoteonThe Hector Heathcote Showin 1961, and in a series of animated shorts that ran from 1959 to 1971. His last acting appearance was in 1985 onThe Twilight Zonein the episode "Ye Gods".

Personal life and death

Myhers was married toJoan Benedictfrom 1962 to his death in 1992.Myhers died of pneumonia on May 27, 1992, in Los Angeles, California, atCedars-Sinai Medical Center.He is also survived by his daughter Claudia Myhers Tschudin. He is buried atForest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills.

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

• John MyhersatIMDb
• John Myhersat theTCM Movie Database
• John Myhersat theInternet Broadway Database
• John MyhersatFind a Grave