John Craven

A successful supporting and occasional leading actor of stage, screen and television, John Craven starred as Bob MacDonald in the first live television series, The Egg and I (1951), a sitcom based on Betty MacDonald's humorous autobiography. Craven launched his career playing George in the 1938 Broadway version of Our Town with his father Frank Craven, a playwright who worked as an actor and a stage manager of the production. While serving in the military during WW II, Craven was appointed the USO's theater director and placed in charge of putting on productions for U.S. troops stationed in Italy. Craven made his feature-film debut in Over the Goal (1937). He did not appear in another until The Human Comedy (1943). His other film credits include Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case (1943), Let's Make Love (1960) and Ocean's Eleven (1960). On television, Craven guest-starred on a variety of series ranging from Playhouse 90, to Wyatt Earp, to Big Valley. At the end of the 1960s, Craven moved to Spain where he continued to appear on stage. He also took up drama teaching and stage directing. He remained there through the mid '70s and then returned to the U.S.

~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide