John Myhers

John Benjamin Myhers (December 18, 1921 – May 27, 1992) was an American stage and screen actor. His film roles included playing Mr. Bratt in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Robert Livingston in the 1972 film adaptation of the Broadway musical 1776, and as the leader of the Roman Senate in Mel Brooks' History of the World, Part I (1981).

Early life and education Myhers was born in Strum, Wisconsin, the son of Ole Myhers (1896–1941) and Mabel (née Borreson) Myhers (1902–1964), who later married Hal DeRoach.

Career Theatre He performed leading roles in Broadway shows such as Kiss Me Kate, The Golden Fleecing and The Good Soup, and most notably played the role of Captain Von Trapp in the First National Touring Company of The Sound of Music in the early 1960s and later. He played opposite Katharine Hepburn in a Stratford, Connecticut, production of Antony and Cleopatra. He also appeared opposite actors such as Jack Lemmon and Charlton Heston in theatrical plays across the country.

Film His most notable film role was playing Bert O. Bratt in the film adaptation of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He played Robert Livingston in 1776 (he also played the role in the Broadway version), and also appeared in Mel Brooks' History of the World, Part I as the leader of the Roman Senate. Other film credits include Quo Vadis, Willard, Weddings and Babies, and several Disney movies (including Treasure of Matecumbe, The Shaggy D.A. and Now You See Him, Now You Don't). Myhers wrote, directed and made a cameo appearance in the little-known 1965 comedy Saturday Night Bath in Apple Valley, which co-starred his wife Joan Benedict (later Joan Benedict Steiger) and was issued on VHS and DVD-R by Something Weird Video.

Television Myhers also had a robust career on television, appearing on shows like Get Smart; Hogan's Heroes; The Mothers-in-Law; I Dream of Jeannie; Love, American Style; Alice; The Waltons and Fantasy Island. He was also the voice of Hector Heathcote on The Hector Heathcote Show in 1961, and in a series of animated shorts that ran from 1959 to 1971. His last acting appearance was in 1985 on The Twilight Zone in the episode "Ye Gods".

Personal life and death Myhers was married to Joan Benedict from 1962 to his death in 1992. He died of pneumonia on May 27, 1992, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, and was survived by his wife and his daughter Claudia Myhers Tschudin. Myhers is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills.

Partial filmography

La vendetta del corsaro (1951) Quo Vadis (1951) as Guard (uncredited) O.K. Nero! (1951) The Small Miracle (1951) Weddings and Babies (1958) as Al Saturday Night in Apple Valley (1965) How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967) as Bert O. Bratt The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968) as Boss The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968) as Lt. Cmdr. Roger Snavely 2000 Years Later (1969) as Air Force General Willard (1971) as Carlson Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972) as Golfer 1776 (1972) as Robert Livingston (NY) Snowball Express (1972) as Mr. Manescue Awake and Sing! (1972 PBS - TV) as Schlosser Walking Tall (1973) as Lester Dickens Herbie Rides Again (1974) as Announcer at San Francisco's Office of the President The Strongest Man in the World (1975) as Mr. Roscoe Linda Lovelace for President (1975) as Billy Leroy Boy Train Ride to Hollywood (1975) as Sheik Street People (1976) as Francis (uncredited) Treasure of Matecumbe (1976) as Captain Boomer The Shaggy D.A. (1976) as Adm. Brenner The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington (1977) as Donald Axelrod The Billion Dollar Hobo (1977) as Cox The Prize Fighter (1979) as Doyle History of the World, Part I (1981) as Leader of Senate (The Roman Empire)