John Kerr

John Grinham Kerr November 15 1931 February 2 2013 was an American actor and lawyer He made his Broadway debut in 1953 in Mary Coyle Chases Bernardine a highschool comedy for which he won a Theatre World Award In 195354 he received critical acclaim as a troubled prep school student in Robert Andersons play Tea and Sympathy In 1954 he won a Tony Award for his performance and he starred in the film version in 1956 Kerrs first television acting role was in 1954 on NBCs Justice as a basketball player who believes that gamblers have ruined his success on the court His mother appeared with him on the series which focuses on the cases of attorneys with the Legal Aid Society of New York He made The Cobweb for MGM who liked his work so much they costarred him with Leslie Caron in Gaby 1956 the third remake of Waterloo Bridge which in its original preCode 1931 version featured Johns grandfather actor Frederick Kerr Kerr starred with Deborah Kerr no relation in Tea and Sympathy in 1956 In a widely publicized decision in 1956 Kerr declined to play the role of Charles Lindbergh in The Spirit of St Louis because he did not respect Lindberghs early support of the Nazi regime in Germany prior to Americas entry into World War II I dont admire the ideals of the hero Mr Kerr told The New York Post The part went to James Stewart Kerr had a major role in the film version of Rodgers and Hammersteins South Pacific 1958 playing Lt Joe Cable the newly arrived marine about to be sent on a dangerous spy mission In The Crowded Sky 1960 Kerr played a pilot who helps the Captain Dana Andrews steer a crippled airliner back to earth Another film appearance was in Roger Cormans The Pit and the Pendulum 1961 In 1963 Kerr had a continuing role on Arrest and Trial playing Assistant DA Barry Pine During the 1960s Kerr guest starred on several TV series including The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Rawhide Gunsmoke and Adam12 He had a regular role on the ABCTV primetime TV series Peyton Place playing District Attorney John Fowler during the 196566 season Also in 196465 he appeared as guest star on several episodes of Twelve OClock High In the 1970s Kerr had a recurring role as prosecutor Gerald OBrien on The Streets of San Francisco and he made guest appearances in several other TV programs including The Mod Squad Columbo McMillan and Wife Barnaby Jones and The Feather and Father Gang Kerrs last acting appearance was a minor role in The Park Is Mine 1986 a madeforTV movie starring Tommy Lee Jones