
John McGiver
ActingAbout John McGiver
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Irwin McGiver (November 5, 1913 – September 9, 1975) was a character actor who made more than a hundred appearances in television and motion pictures over a two-decade span from 1955 to 1975. The owl-faced, portly actor with the mid-Atlantic accent was known for his performances as the religious fanatic Mr. O'Daniel in the film Midnight Cowboy; as the kindly Tiffany's salesman in Breakfast at Tiffany's; and as the ill-fated, but honorable Senator Jordan in the original film version of The Manchurian Candidate. He also appeared on many TV shows and commercials, including a Baggies spot in the 1960s, as well as the first of a popular series of commercials for the American Express charge card ("Do you know me?"). Description above from the Wikipedia article John McGiver, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
John McGiver Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of John McGiver reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 39 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of John McGiver's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 38% of John McGiver's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Once Upon a Horse..., which stands out as a key performance.
Best John McGiver Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John McGiver's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie John McGiver has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Tom Sawyer | Judge Thatcher | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Apple Dumpling Gang | Leonard Sharpe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | 'Twas the Night Before Christmas | Mayor (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Mame | Mr. Babcock | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Arnold | Governor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Great Man's Whiskers | Andrew Hogan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | Harvey | Dr. William R. Chumley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Lawman | Sabbath Mayor Sam Bolden | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Who Killed the Mysterious Mr. Foster? | Judge Hathaway | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | The Feminist and the Fuzz | Warren Sorensen | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Littlest Angel | Angel of the Peace | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | Mirror, Mirror Off the Wall | Brock | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | Midnight Cowboy | Mr. O'Daniel | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Fitzwilly | Albert | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | The Spirit Is Willing | Uncle George | Flop | Similar → |
| 1966 | The Glass Bottom Boat | Ralph Goodwin | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | Made in Paris | Roger Barclay | Flop | Similar → |
| 1965 | Marriage on the Rocks | Shad Nathan | Average | Similar → |
| 1964 | Man's Favorite Sport? | William Cadwalader | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | A Global Affair | Mr. Snifter | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | Who's Minding the Store? | John P. Tuttle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | Take Her, She's Mine | Hector G. Ivor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | Johnny Cool | Oscar B. 'Oby' Hinds | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | My Six Loves | Judge Harris | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | Who's Got the Action? | Judge Fogel | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | Period of Adjustment | Stewart P. McGill | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | The Manchurian Candidate | Sen. Thomas Jordan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Big Deal in Laredo | C.P. Ballinger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation | Martin Turner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Something's Got to Give | Judge | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Bachelor in Paradise | Austin Palfrey | Average | Similar → |
| 1961 | Breakfast at Tiffany's | Tiffany's Salesman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Love in a Goldfish Bowl | Dr. Frawley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Gazebo | Sam Thorpe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Once Upon a Horse... | Mr. Tharp | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | I Married a Woman | Girard | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Love in the Afternoon | Monsieur X | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Man in the Raincoat | O'Brien | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Stingiest Man in Town | Two Gentlemen | Flop | Similar → |
John McGiver - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John McGiver?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John McGiver is "Once Upon a Horse..." with a rating of 8.5/10.
How many movies has John McGiver acted in?
John McGiver has been featured in at least 39 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John McGiver?
Other notable films include "Who Killed the Mysterious Mr. Foster?", "Something's Got to Give", and "Breakfast at Tiffany's".




