John Marley Of ‘Love Story’ Continued His Work In Film Up Until He Died At 76

John Marley is well known for his role as Phil Cavalleri in the ‘70s movie Love Story. John was born to Russian-Jewish parents in Harlem and was originally named Mortimer Marlieb at birth. The late actor had a successful acting career, starring in over two hundred and fifty movies and TV series like The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, The Wild Wild West, and many more.

John got multiple nominations and recognition during his lifetime for his stellar work. His role in Love Story earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a supporting role in 1970. He also got a Golden Globe nomination for the same role in 1971. John won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his role in the production, Faces.

John Marley’s early years

The late actor served in the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II. His career took off with his work on the 1968 film Faces, directed by John Cassavetes. However, it was his role as Phil Cavalleri in the 1970 romantic drama “Love Story” that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

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Following Love Story, John starred in a variety of films, including The Godfather in 1972, where he played Jack Woltz, the movie producer who wakes up to find a severed horse head in his bed. John also appeared in the 1977 horror classic The Car and the crime drama The Onion Field.

John also made a mark on Broadway shows with credits in 1966’s The Investigation, Sing Till Tomorrow and The Strong Are Lonely from the early ‘50s, Skipper Next to God, and Johnny Doodle in the ‘40s. Also, the late actor directed Little Theater Productions in various cities and also had guest appearances playing different characters in episodes of the ABC western series The Rebel, which also featured Nick Adams.

Later years and death

John died in 1984 after he underwent open heart surgery at the age of 72. Before his passing on May 22nd, he starred in the movie Glitter Dome in the same year, playing Captain Woofer. He was married to Sandra Lilosevich for nine years until his death. His marriage to Sandra produced a daughter, Alexis; however, he had three children— Peter, Julia, and Ben from his twenty years marriage to his first wife, Stanja.

John also worked with Cassavetes on I’m Almost Not Crazy: John Cassavetes- The Man and His Work in the same year of his death. Before Glitter Dome, John appeared in ‘80s productions like Utilities as Roy Blue, he also played Joe Cadillac in the TV series, Hardcastle and McCormick, and Elijha in Mother Lode. He holds credits for the movie, On The Edge as the character, Elmo. Following his death, John was laid to rest at Cedar Park Cemetery, in Emerson, New Jersey, and survived by his wife and four children.