John Gavin was basically known for his good looks which certainly meets the criteria of a leading man. Universal Pictures groomed Gavin to be a leading man in the mold of Rock Hudson. But Gavin was usually used as window dressing for older actresses like Susan Hayward in BACK STREET (1961) and Lana Turner in IMITATION OF LIFE (1959) as their romantic interest. Considered to be the most promising male newcomer, Gavin was Universal's new white hope. One critic penned that Gavin " invariably cast as a staunch fellow of goodwill, who looked handsome but was permitted little action opposite his leading ladies."
Would hiring John Gavin made a difference in the Bond franchise. Personally, I feel that a golden opportunity was missed by not hiring Gavin as James Bond. I think Gavin would have reinstated the persona of Bond that Sean Connery created in all those earlier films. Could Gavin handle being a top-billing star without the crutch of his leading lady? He certainly oozed with the same-sex appeal ( maybe more so ) and cool suave charm of Connery that made Bond who he is. A ladies' s man who could charm the panties of the bad bond girls, seducing them to switch sides. The real question is Gavin's acting ability, who has been labeled rather " stiff and wooden." Yes, Gavin would have continued the Bond brand as business as usual in the world of espionage depending on the scripts and the right director to work with him.
After Sean Connery returned as Bond in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971), earning a whopping 1.25 million, Gavin was able to keep the 50 million he was given as advance by signing on as the third bond, for merely stepping aside. Gavin became the President of Screen Actors Guild that same year until 1973. But Gavin would consider the next chapter of his life to be his greatest achievement when President Reagan appointed him as Ambassador of Mexico in 1981. Gavin was of Mexican descendant and grew up bilingual of Spanish and English. He served as Ambassador for five years (1981 to 1986). Whenever asked about having any regrets about NOT becoming James Bond, Gavin would simply reply " NO, because it might have prevented me from fulfilling my childhood dream, to be U.S. Ambassador to Mexico."
Wasn't Gavin regarded as stiff and boring?
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ReplyDeleteGavin was handsome, tall (about 6'4"), & muscular enough to be convincing in fight scenes (something that never rang true with Roger Moore, who was more of a drawing-room type). I liked John Gavin, he was more than adequate in "Spatacus", which was chock-full of acting heavyweights, but he seemed to have a bland personality, which on some level denoted weakness or lack of commitment in a role. Still it is fascinating to wonder what could have been, long after the fact.
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