John Saxon

John Saxon

Acting
Born 1935-08-05 - Died 2020-07-25Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Biography

John Saxon (born Carmine Orrico; August 5, 1935 – July 25, 2020) was an American actor and martial artist who worked on more than 200 projects during a span of 60 years. Saxon is known for his work in Westerns and horror movies, often playing police officers and detectives. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Saxon studied acting with Stella Adler before beginning his career as a contract actor for Universal Pictures, playing in such movies as Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) and Portrait in Black (1961). During the 1970s and 1980s, he established himself as a character actor, frequently portraying law enforcement officials in horror movies such as Black Christmas (1974), Dario Argento's Tenebrae (1982), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). In addition to his roles in horror movies, Saxon co-starred with Bruce Lee in the martial arts movie Enter the Dragon (1973), and has supporting roles in the westerns Death of a Gunfighter (1969) and Joe Kidd (1972), as well as the adventure thriller Raid on Entebbe (1977). In the 1990s, Saxon occasionally appeared in movies, with small roles in Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) and From Dusk till Dawn (1996). Saxon died of pneumonia in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on July 25, 2020.

Movies (150)

A Nightmare on Elm Street
7.4

A Nightmare on Elm Street

1984Movie7.4
Enter the Dragon
7.4

Enter the Dragon

1973Movie7.4
From Dusk Till Dawn
7.1

From Dusk Till Dawn

1996Movie7.1
Beverly Hills Cop III
5.9

Beverly Hills Cop III

1994Movie5.9
Wes Craven's New Nightmare
6.5

Wes Craven's New Nightmare

1994Movie6.5
Old Dogs
5.6

Old Dogs

2009Movie5.6
Black Christmas
7.0

Black Christmas

1974Movie7.0
Animal Instincts
5.1

Animal Instincts

1992Movie5.1
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
6.7

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

1987Movie6.7
Joe Kidd
6.4

Joe Kidd

1972Movie6.4
Tenebre
6.8

Tenebre

1982Movie6.8
Battle Beyond the Stars
5.4

Battle Beyond the Stars

1980Movie5.4
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
7.8

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

2010Movie7.8
The Electric Horseman
6.1

The Electric Horseman

1979Movie6.1
The Cardinal
6.5

The Cardinal

1963Movie6.5
Moonshine County Express
4.9

Moonshine County Express

1977Movie4.9
The Unforgiven
6.2

The Unforgiven

1960Movie6.2
Death of a Gunfighter
6.3

Death of a Gunfighter

1969Movie6.3
A Star Is Born
7.1

A Star Is Born

1954Movie7.1
Blood Beach
4.8

Blood Beach

1980Movie4.8
Prisoners of the Lost Universe
3.6

Prisoners of the Lost Universe

1983Movie3.6
Strange New World
4.3

Strange New World

1975Movie4.3
The Girl Who Knew Too Much
6.9

The Girl Who Knew Too Much

1963Movie6.9
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
8.0

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

2009Movie8.0
Violent Naples
6.4

Violent Naples

1976Movie6.4
Raid on Entebbe
6.0

Raid on Entebbe

1976Movie6.0
The Big Fisherman
5.1

The Big Fisherman

1959Movie5.1
Planet Earth
5.8

Planet Earth

1974Movie5.8
The Appaloosa
6.4

The Appaloosa

1966Movie6.4
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation
6.5

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation

1962Movie6.5
My Mom's a Werewolf
4.8

My Mom's a Werewolf

1989Movie4.8
Fast Company
5.1

Fast Company

1979Movie5.1
Running Scared
4.9

Running Scared

1980Movie4.9
The Big Score
6.0

The Big Score

1983Movie6.0
Posse from Hell
6.2

Posse from Hell

1961Movie6.2
Wrong Is Right
5.6

Wrong Is Right

1982Movie5.6
The Cynic, the Rat & the Fist
6.6

The Cynic, the Rat & the Fist

1977Movie6.6
Criminal Act
5.2

Criminal Act

1989Movie5.2
It Should Happen to You
7.1

It Should Happen to You

1954Movie7.1
Hands of Steel
5.3

Hands of Steel

1986Movie5.3
The Glove
5.1

The Glove

1979Movie5.1
The Bees
4.7

The Bees

1978Movie4.7
Bottom Feeders
7.5

Bottom Feeders

1998Movie7.5
Pelts
5.6

Pelts

2006Movie5.6
Mitchell
3.3

Mitchell

1975Movie3.3
Solomon Northup's Odyssey
6.8

Solomon Northup's Odyssey

1991Movie6.8
Maximum Force
4.8

Maximum Force

1992Movie4.8
Trapped Ashes
5.1

Trapped Ashes

2006Movie5.1
Istanbul Express
5.4

Istanbul Express

1969Movie5.4
War Hunt
6.4

War Hunt

1962Movie6.4
The Last Samurai
7.0

The Last Samurai

1990Movie7.0
Can Ellen Be Saved?
4.6

Can Ellen Be Saved?

1974Movie4.6
Queen of Blood
5.3

Queen of Blood

1966Movie5.3
Final Payback
4.2

Final Payback

2001Movie4.2
Beyond Evil
4.2

Beyond Evil

1980Movie4.2
The Unbeatable Bruce Lee
8.4

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee

2001Movie8.4
The Plunderers
6.3

The Plunderers

1960Movie6.3
The Doomsday Flight
6.5

The Doomsday Flight

1966Movie6.5
Summer Love
5.5

Summer Love

1958Movie5.5
New Line: Independent Legacies

New Line: Independent Legacies

Movie
Rooster
4.5

Rooster

1982Movie4.5
Nightmare Beach
5.5

Nightmare Beach

1989Movie5.5
Blood Salvage
5.6

Blood Salvage

1990Movie5.6
Snatched
5.8

Snatched

1973Movie5.8
Clarkworld
10.0

Clarkworld

2009Movie10.0
Scorpion with Two Tails
4.7

Scorpion with Two Tails

1982Movie4.7
Cannibal Apocalypse
5.5

Cannibal Apocalypse

1980Movie5.5
Fight to the Death
4.7

Fight to the Death

1975Movie4.7
The Restless Years
7.0

The Restless Years

1958Movie7.0
Portrait in Black
5.7

Portrait in Black

1960Movie5.7
Golden Gate
9.0

Golden Gate

1981Movie9.0
Running Wild
7.5

Running Wild

1955Movie7.5
No Escape, No Return
6.0

No Escape, No Return

1993Movie6.0
The Reluctant Debutante
6.7

The Reluctant Debutante

1958Movie6.7
Night Class
3.2

Night Class

2001Movie3.2
Shalimar
6.1

Shalimar

1978Movie6.1
Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
8.0

Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker

1991Movie8.0
Mark Strikes Again
5.0

Mark Strikes Again

1976Movie5.0
This Happy Feeling
4.8

This Happy Feeling

1958Movie4.8
Aftershock
4.4

Aftershock

1990Movie4.4
The Intruders
5.0

The Intruders

1970Movie5.0
Winchester '73
6.7

Winchester '73

1967Movie6.7
Living in Fear
4.6

Living in Fear

2000Movie4.6
The Night Caller
5.6

The Night Caller

1965Movie5.6
The Party Crashers
3.3

The Party Crashers

1998Movie3.3
Agostino
5.8

Agostino

1962Movie5.8
Fever Pitch
4.3

Fever Pitch

1985Movie4.3
War Wolves
3.4

War Wolves

2009Movie3.4
The Unguarded Moment
6.5

The Unguarded Moment

1956Movie6.5
Zombie Death House
4.4

Zombie Death House

1988Movie4.4
The Final Alliance
6.2

The Final Alliance

1990Movie6.2
Cry Tough
6.1

Cry Tough

1959Movie6.1
A Special Cop in Action
6.1

A Special Cop in Action

1976Movie6.1
Jonathan of the Bears
5.9

Jonathan of the Bears

1995Movie5.9
The Arrival
4.4

The Arrival

1991Movie4.4
Location: Hong Kong with Enter the Dragon

Location: Hong Kong with Enter the Dragon

1973Movie
The Best of the Martial Arts Films
8.8

The Best of the Martial Arts Films

1990Movie8.8
One Dollar Too Many
7.0

One Dollar Too Many

1968Movie7.0
Brothers-in-Law
7.0

Brothers-in-Law

1985Movie7.0
House Made of Dawn
8.0

House Made of Dawn

1972Movie8.0
Hellmaster
4.5

Hellmaster

1992Movie4.5
Outta Time
3.0

Outta Time

2002Movie3.0
Shadows in an Empty Room
5.8

Shadows in an Empty Room

1976Movie5.8
The Cavern
6.4

The Cavern

1964Movie6.4
Cross Shot
6.6

Cross Shot

1976Movie6.6
Crossing the Line
5.2

Crossing the Line

1990Movie5.2
Joseph's Gift
7.0

Joseph's Gift

1999Movie7.0
Blackmail
3.9

Blackmail

1991Movie3.9
The Swiss Conspiracy
5.0

The Swiss Conspiracy

1976Movie5.0
Family Killer
6.1

Family Killer

1973Movie6.1
Welcome to Primetime
9.0

Welcome to Primetime

1999Movie9.0
Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s
7.7

Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s

2012Movie7.7
Western, Italian Style
6.6

Western, Italian Style

1968Movie6.6
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
10.0

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities

1995Movie10.0
Pitcher and the Pin-Up
6.1

Pitcher and the Pin-Up

2003Movie6.1
Lancelot: Guardian of Time
4.3

Lancelot: Guardian of Time

1997Movie4.3
The Ravagers
6.5

The Ravagers

1965Movie6.5
Stanley's Girlfriend
7.5

Stanley's Girlfriend

2006Movie7.5
Blood and Steel: The Making of Enter the Dragon
8.7

Blood and Steel: The Making of Enter the Dragon

2004Movie8.7
Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon
6.5

Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon

1994Movie6.5
The Killers Within
7.5

The Killers Within

1995Movie7.5
Bring Me the Head of Lance Henriksen
6.1

Bring Me the Head of Lance Henriksen

2010Movie6.1
The Baby Doll Murders
3.3

The Baby Doll Murders

1993Movie3.3
Company of Killers
6.5

Company of Killers

1970Movie6.5
Mr. Kingstreet's War
6.3

Mr. Kingstreet's War

1973Movie6.3
For Singles Only
6.7

For Singles Only

1968Movie6.7
Crossfire
8.0

Crossfire

1975Movie8.0
Payoff
4.3

Payoff

1991Movie4.3
Lucky Luke 2
5.5

Lucky Luke 2

1992Movie5.5
Stephen King's Monster Stories
5.0

Stephen King's Monster Stories

1988Movie5.0
Frame-Up II: The Cover-Up
5.5

Frame-Up II: The Cover-Up

1994Movie5.5
Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen
6.5

Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen

2004Movie6.5
The GREATEST : Bruce Lee
7.7

The GREATEST : Bruce Lee

1998Movie7.7
The Green Fog
6.1

The Green Fog

2018Movie6.1
Killing Obsession
3.8

Killing Obsession

1994Movie3.8
Black Christmas Legacy
8.0

Black Christmas Legacy

2015Movie8.0
God's Ears

God's Ears

2008Movie
'Cannibal Apocalypse' Redux

'Cannibal Apocalypse' Redux

2002Movie
Rock, Pretty Baby
6.0

Rock, Pretty Baby

1956Movie6.0
The Path of the Dragon
6.8

The Path of the Dragon

1998Movie6.8
Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre
6.1

Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre

2000Movie6.1
One Too Many
7.0

One Too Many

1982Movie7.0
Black Christmas Revisited
5.0

Black Christmas Revisited

2002Movie5.0
The Mercy Man

The Mercy Man

2009Movie
Linda
8.0

Linda

1973Movie8.0
Desire
10.0

Desire

1982Movie10.0
The 12 Days of Black Christmas
4.0

The 12 Days of Black Christmas

2006Movie4.0
Lo Scorpione a Due Code

Lo Scorpione a Due Code

1982Movie
The Craving Heart
3.3

The Craving Heart

2006Movie3.3
The Dentros

The Dentros

2015Movie

TV Shows (69)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
7.6

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

2000Series7.6
Melrose Place
5.8

Melrose Place

1992Series5.8
The Mike Douglas Show
5.8

The Mike Douglas Show

1961Series5.8
Bonanza
7.5

Bonanza

1959Series7.5
The A-Team
7.5

The A-Team

1983Series7.5
Ironside
6.8

Ironside

1967Series6.8
Murder, She Wrote
7.5

Murder, She Wrote

1984Series7.5
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
Hawaii Five-O
7.2

Hawaii Five-O

1968Series7.2
Falcon Crest
5.5

Falcon Crest

1981Series5.5
The Rockford Files
7.6

The Rockford Files

1974Series7.6
American Playhouse
6.6

American Playhouse

1982Series6.6
Magnum, P.I.
7.3

Magnum, P.I.

1980Series7.3
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
7.7

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

1970Series7.7
Dynasty
6.5

Dynasty

1981Series6.5
The Virginian
6.5

The Virginian

1962Series6.5
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
5.9

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

1963Series5.9
Dr. Kildare
5.7

Dr. Kildare

1961Series5.7
Fantasy Island
6.5

Fantasy Island

1978Series6.5
The Six Million Dollar Man
7.3

The Six Million Dollar Man

1974Series7.3
Matlock
7.1

Matlock

1986Series7.1
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
6.7

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues

1993Series6.7
Night Gallery
7.8

Night Gallery

1970Series7.8
Hotel
6.8

Hotel

1982Series6.8
Quincy, M.E.
7.5

Quincy, M.E.

1976Series7.5
Starsky & Hutch
7.3

Starsky & Hutch

1975Series7.3
Gunsmoke
6.7

Gunsmoke

1955Series6.7
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
6.7

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

1983Series6.7
The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7.2

The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents

1985Series7.2
The Bionic Woman
7.0

The Bionic Woman

1976Series7.0
Burke's Law
6.3

Burke's Law

1963Series6.3
The Name of the Game
7.0

The Name of the Game

1968Series7.0
In the Heat of the Night
7.5

In the Heat of the Night

1988Series7.5
Masters of Horror
7.1

Masters of Horror

2005Series7.1
Monsters
7.0

Monsters

1988Series7.0
The Streets of San Francisco
7.1

The Streets of San Francisco

1972Series7.1
It Takes a Thief
7.2

It Takes a Thief

1968Series7.2
The Rookies
6.9

The Rookies

1972Series6.9
Hardcastle and McCormick
6.5

Hardcastle and McCormick

1983Series6.5
The Ray Bradbury Theater
6.9

The Ray Bradbury Theater

1985Series6.9
Wonder Woman
7.0

Wonder Woman

1975Series7.0
Police Story
7.0

Police Story

1973Series7.0
The Fantastic Journey
6.2

The Fantastic Journey

1977Series6.2
Vega$
6.9

Vega$

1978Series6.9
Petrocelli
7.2

Petrocelli

1974Series7.2
The Time Tunnel
7.6

The Time Tunnel

1966Series7.6
Banacek
8.4

Banacek

1972Series8.4
Garrison's Gorillas
8.1

Garrison's Gorillas

1967Series8.1
Finder of Lost Loves
6.8

Finder of Lost Loves

1984Series6.8
The Dick Powell Show
5.7

The Dick Powell Show

1961Series5.7
Cimarron Strip
5.7

Cimarron Strip

1967Series5.7
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
4.8

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

1969Series4.8
The Sixth Sense
6.3

The Sixth Sense

1972Series6.3
Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story
6.5

Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story

1995Series6.5
Banyon
8.0

Banyon

1972Series8.0
Once an Eagle
6.8

Once an Eagle

1976Series6.8
Lucky Luke
5.9

Lucky Luke

1992Series5.9
Masquerade
7.5

Masquerade

1983Series7.5
Half Nelson
7.0

Half Nelson

1985Series7.0
Medic
6.3

Medic

1954Series6.3
Another World
5.5

Another World

1964Series5.5
Most Wanted
6.7

Most Wanted

1976Series6.7
General Electric Theater
6.8

General Electric Theater

1953Series6.8
Glitter
5.3

Glitter

1984Series5.3
79 Park Avenue
5.2

79 Park Avenue

1977Series5.2
The Immigrants

The Immigrants

1978Series
Westside Medical

Westside Medical

1977Series
Kung Fu
7.7

Kung Fu

1972Series7.7
Greatest Heroes of the Bible
3.8

Greatest Heroes of the Bible

1978Series3.8