John Gavin Quotes

United States, Actor
April 8, 1931 – February, 9, 2018.

John Gavin (born Juan Vincent Apablasa Jr.; April 8, 1931 – February 9, 2018) was an American actor who was the United States Ambassador to Mexico (1981–86) and the President of the Screen Actors Guild (1971–73). He was best known for his performances in the films Imitation of Life (1959), Spartacus (1960), Psycho (1960), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), playing leading roles in a series of films for producer Ross Hunter.

We do have every interest in maintaining the friendliest possible relations with Mexicans from all legitimate political walks of life.

John Gavin
- Life
- Political
Mexicans are deeply pessimistic that Simpson-Mazzoli can be enforced.

John Gavin

Sure, I travel. I went to Washington to negotiate a $1 billion prepayment to Mexico on its oil revenues to help it out of its financial crisis.

John Gavin
- Help
- Travel
- Financial
I may have had some banal roles, but they were never embarrassing.

John Gavin
- May
There was no studio system to let me work my way up through small roles. When I got up on my hind legs, no one would believe it.

John Gavin
- Up
- Work
- Believe
We have affirmed the principle that a mature relationship between nations - as between individuals - can only flourish in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

John Gavin
- Respect
- Relationship
When I walked through the gate, Universal quit building actors. All of a sudden, I was doing leading roles. I knew I was a tyro, but they told me to shut up and act.

John Gavin
- Up
Some of those early roles were unactable. Even Laurence Olivier couldn't have done anything with them. The dialog ran to cardboard passages such as, 'I love you. You can rely on me, darling. I'll wait.' It was all I could do to keep from adding, 'With egg on my face.'

John Gavin
- Done

I'm not going back to acting, and I'm not going to seek elective office.

John Gavin