John Irwin McGiver, a man of many talents and experiences, did not begin his acting career until later in life. Prior to his foray into the world of acting, McGiver held degrees in English from Fordham, Columbia, and Catholic Universities, and spent his early years teaching drama and speech at Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx.
In the late 1930s, McGiver had a brief stint as an actor/director for the Irish Repertory Theatre, but unfortunately, his weekly income of $26.42 was insufficient to support his daily needs. The following year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II, fighting alongside the 7th Armored Division in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. After six years of service, McGiver returned to the United States, where he held the rank of Captain.
Following his demobilization, McGiver returned to teaching drama, with occasional forays into off-Broadway acting. In 1947, he married Ruth Shmigelsky, a scenic designer from Chicago, and the couple settled down in a converted 19th-century former Baptist church.
The exact circumstances of McGiver's transition to film and television acting are unclear, but it is believed to have occurred sometime after one of his part-time acting performances in September 1955. Regardless of how it happened, McGiver quickly developed a unique style as a comedic and occasional serious actor on television and in films.
Some of McGiver's most memorable roles include his portrayal of an obtuse landscape contractor in The Gazebo (1959),a pompous jewelry salesman in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961),and an inept twitcher in Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962). He also played the role of Mr. Sowerberry in a television adaptation of Oliver Twist (1959) and starred in his own short-lived television show, Many Happy Returns (1964),as the complaints manager of a department store.
In addition to his comedic roles, McGiver also appeared in dramatic parts, including a senator in The Manchurian Candidate (1962) and a corrupt mayor in The Front Page (1970). He even took on a rare villainous role in the TV episode The Birds and the Bees Affair (1966).
One of McGiver's most notable guest starring roles was as the self-absorbed Roswell Flemington, who learns a moral lesson in the television episode Sounds and Silences (1964). Throughout his career, McGiver demonstrated his versatility as an actor, taking on a wide range of roles and leaving a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
