John Gabriel (actor)

John Gabriel
Gabriel in 2009
Born
Jack Monkarsh

(1931-05-25)May 25, 1931
Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 2021(2021-06-11) (aged 90)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer-lyricist, producer
Years active1953–2021
SpouseSandra Gabriel
Children2; including Andrea
Websitehttp://www.johngabriel.net/ at the Wayback Machine (archived February 4, 2019)

John Gabriel (born Jack Monkarsh; May 25, 1931 – June 11, 2021) was an American actor, singer-lyricist, and producer who is best known for his role as Seneca Beaulac on Ryan's Hope (1975–1985, 1988–1989), for which he received an Emmy Award nomination in 1980. Gabriel, who played the Professor in the original, unaired Gilligan's Island pilot, was the father of actress Andrea Gabriel.[citation needed] He appeared on Broadway in The Happy Time in 1968,[1] and produced the shortlived eponymous television series Charles Grodin starring Charles Grodin in 1995.

Family

Gabriel was born in Niagara Falls, New York, the youngest of three children of Harry and Rae Monkarsh.[2] His parents were of Polish Jewish/Russian Jewish descent. His father was born in then-Mandatory Palestine.[3]

Career

Gabriel, throughout his career as an actor and singer, worked steadily in a wide variety of capacities. He appeared on stage in two Broadway productions, The Happy Time and the musical Applause,[1] as well as off-Broadway in Fighting International Fat at the Playwrights Horizons. Gabriel played numerous character roles in film and television over a period of five decades.

He portrayed Pedro in the John Wayne movie El Dorado and also composed its title song in collaboration with Nelson Riddle.[4]

He starred in Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and Ryan's Hope.

From 1973 to 1975, he had a recurring role as WJM-TV sportscaster Andy Rivers on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

As a singer, Gabriel appeared on numerous television shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and Regis and Kathy Lee, among others. He produced the Charles Grodin Show for six years.[citation needed]

Words and Music

In 2004, Gabriel wrote and produced, along with his actress wife Sandy Gabriel, best known for her role of Edna Thornton on All My Children, a nightclub act which he regularly toured across the United States. The show, titled Words And Music, was a celebration of classic American song interspersed with stories culled from Gabriel's vast experience in show business. In 2010, the production was videotaped in Los Angeles.[5]

Death

John Gabriel died in New York on June 11, 2021, at age 90. His daughter attributed his death to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.[6]

Selected filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1990 The Return of Superfly Sergeant Joyner
1980 It's My Turn Hunter
Just Tell Me What You Want Commentator Film directed by Sidney Lumet
1976 Network TV Anchor (reporting Beale's suicide threat) Uncredited
1975 The Hiding Place Professor Zeiner
1970 Hell's Bloody Devils Mark Adams Also known as The Fakers;
wrote lyrics for film's theme song, "The Fakers", in collaboration with composer Nelson Riddle
1966 Stagecoach Captain Jim Mallory
El Dorado Pedro Wrote lyrics for film's theme song, "El Dorado", in collaboration with composer Nelson Riddle
1965 Red Line 7000 Jake Film directed by Howard Hawks
Uncredited
1964 Sex and the College Girl Larry Devon
1960 The Story of Ruth Chilion
Identity Unknown Jamieson
1958 South Pacific Radio Officer
The Young Lions Burn
The Hunters Lieutenant Corona Also wrote and composed the film's theme song, "The Hunter"; performed the song live on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1959

Selected television appearances

Year Film Role Notes
2002 Days of Our Lives Pete LeGrand Recurring
1999 Law & Order Bernard Kincaide Episode: "Admissions"
1993 Seinfeld Newscaster Episode: "The Non-Fat Yogurt"
Murder, She Wrote Dr. Johnny Windurst Episode: "The Petrified Forest"
1989 Generations Vic Reynolds Recurring
1975–1985, 1988-1989 Ryan's Hope Seneca Beaulac 726 Episodes
1988 The Incredible Hulk Returns Joshua Lambert Television film
1987 Kate & Allie Peter Rutland Recurring
1982 Hart To Hart Justin Recurring
1973–1975 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Andy Rivers Episodes: "The System", "A Son For Murray", "Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite", "Lou's First Date", "Hi There, Sports Fans"
1974 Here's Lucy Jack Thomas Episode: "Mary Jane's Boyfriend"
1972–1973 General Hospital Teddy Holmes Recurring
1970–1972 Love of Life Linc Morrison Recurring
1964 Gilligan's Island Professor Pilot Episode: "Marooned". John Gabriel portrayed a high school teacher; the part was re-cast for the series
1961–1963 77 Sunset Strip Various roles Episodes: "Deposit With Caution", "The Parallel Caper", "Strange Bedfellows"
1963 The Untouchables Dr. Daniel Gifford Episodes: "Jake Dance", "Bird In The Hand"
1962 Bachelor Father Dr. Hart Bellamy Episode: "Peter, the Medicine Man"
Dick Powell Theater Lieutenant Buka Recurring
1961 Hawaiian Eye Derek Demaarest, Buddy Keene Episodes: "The Pretty People", "The Kiddi Kid"
1959 General Electric Theater : Absalom My Son John Co-Starred with Burl Ives
1958 Men of Annapolis Layden Episode: "The Runaway"
The New Adventures of Charlie Chan The Actor Episode: "The Hand of Hera Dass"
1953 You Are There Major John Andre Episode: "The Treason of Benedict Arnold"

References

  1. ^ a b "John Gabriel: Credits". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  2. ^ 1940 US census extract, archives.com; accessed March 6, 2016.
  3. ^ Bailey-Millado, Rob (June 14, 2021). "John Gabriel, Emmy nominated 'Ryan's Hope' star, dead at 90". New York Post.
  4. ^ "Bio". John Gabriel. Archived from the original on August 8, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  5. ^ "Cabaret Scenes Review - John Gabriel". Cabaretscenes.org. 2010-07-07. Archived from the original on 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  6. ^ Barnes, Mike (June 13, 2021). "John Gabriel, Actor on 'Ryan's Hope,' Dies at 90". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 13, 2021.