John Miljan (November 9, 1892 – January 24, 1960) was an American actor.[1] He appeared in more than 200 films between 1924 and 1958.
Biography
Born in 1892, Miljan was the tall, smooth-talking villain in Hollywood films for almost four decades, beginning in 1923.[2] This kind of smooth villainy was made famous by more established actors like Ward Crane and Miljan continued in the mold after Crane's death in 1928. Miljan made his first sound film in 1927 in the promotional trailer for The Jazz Singer, inviting audiences to see the upcoming landmark film.[3] In later years he played imposing, authoritative parts such as high-ranking executives and military officers.[2] He is best remembered as General Custer in Cecil B. DeMille's film The Plainsman.[4] DeMille also cast him in two notable supporting roles in two of his biblical epics: the Danite elder Lesh Lakish in Samson and Delilah (1949), and the blind Israelite grandfather in The Exodus in The Ten Commandments (1956).
Miljan campaigned for the reelection of President Herbert Hoover in 1932.[5]
Miljan died from cancer in Hollywood in 1960, aged 67.[6] He was married to Victoire Lowe and adopted her two sons from her first marriage to actor Creighton Hale.[7][citation needed]
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