Anecdotes

During rehearsals for John's notorious horse head bedroom scene in Le Parrain (1972) a fake horse's head was used. However, for the actual day of shooting, a freshly severed horse's head was used from a slaughterhouse in New Jersey. However, the blood was not real.

He got into acting by accident when a drama group needed someone to portray the sheriff in the play 'ice Bound' and he was picked from the audience.

Appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: America, America (1963), Love Story (1970) and Le Parrain (1972), with the latter being a winner in the category.

He worked with the USO in WWII and with numerous theatre groups.

He had three children with his first wife, Stanja: Peter, Julia, and Ben Marley. He also had a daughter, Alexis, with his second wife, Sandra.

Attended City College of New York, but he dropped it out and turned to acting.

He and a friend formed the comedy team 'Lawrence and Marley' which had a years run on the ABC Radio Network.

He is buried at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey.

He made his Broadway debut in 'Stop Press' since then plays have included 'The Strong Are Lonely' and 'The Investigation'and he's directed numerous regional theatre productions.