John Beal

John Beal was an American actor whose stage work led him to a long career in film, radio, and television. Born in Joplin, Missouri, he began acting with the Hedgerow Theatre after college in 1930, and he appeared on Broadway in plays such as Russet Mantle and She Loves Me. His first screen role came in Another Language (1933), recreating his stage part, and he played opposite Katharine Hepburn in The Little Minister (1934). He played Marius Pontmercy in Les Misérables (1935). During the war years he acted in and directed camp shows and training films for the Army Air Forces. Later film roles included Alimony (1949) and My Six Convicts (1952). On radio he acted in The Amazing Mr. Tutt, and on television he hosted Freedom Rings, starred in Road to Reality, and appeared in Bonanza, The Waltons, The Adams Chronicles, and Dark Shadows. He died in 1997.