John Warburton (June 18, 1903 – October 27, 1981) was a British actor who appeared in numerous Hollywood films in the 1930s to 1960s.

Biography

Born in Drogheda, Ireland, Warburton studied for the ministry at Oxford University and served in the British military beginning in 1916. He came to the United States as a stowaway on a freighter and began acting on stage in New York. On Broadway, Warburton portrayed Cyril Beverley in Bird in Hand (1930). His film career began with RKO's Secrets of the French Police (1932). His work on television included performing on 35 episodes of Fireside Theater. He also guest-starred in television series such as Perry Mason and the Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror". In 1933, Warburton was in the center of legal trouble in Los Angeles. A grand jury indicted two men for beating and robbing Warburton in revenge for his alleged beating of actress Alice White. She testified that an argument at a party led to Warburton's battery, which resulted in her spending four days in bed to recover.

Personal life

Among Warburton's five wives were Ruth Selwyn and Lucille Morrison.

Death

He died of cancer in Sherman Oaks, California at age 78.

Selected filmography

Television