John Irwin McGiver (November 5, 1913, New York City – September 9, 1975, West Fulton, New York) was an American character actor who made more than a hundred appearances in television and motion pictures over a two-decade span from 1955 to 1975.
The owl-faced actor was known for his performances as the religious fanatic Mr. O'Daniel in the film Midnight Cowboy; as the kindly Tiffany's salesman in Breakfast at Tiffany's; and as the ill-fated, but honorable Senator Jordan in the original film version of The Manchurian Candidate. He also appeared on many TV shows, as well as in the first of a popular series of commercials for the American Express charge card ("Do you know me?").
McGiver was born the son of Irish immigrants. He received a B.A. in English from Fordham University in 1938 and master's degrees from Columbia University and Catholic University. He was an English teacher before he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army's 7th Armored Division in Europe during World War II. His stage career also began before the war, when he was an actor-director in New York's Irish Repertory Theater. He continued to teach English and speech at Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, working occasionally in off-Broadway plays, until 1955, when he became a full time actor.
He lived with his wife Ruth, whom he married in 1947, and ten children in West Fulton, New York until his death due to heart attack in 1975, aged 61.
Was a teacher in the New York City public school system before becoming an actor. Left behind ten children at the time of his death.
Initiated the "Do You Know Me" commercials for American Express
Father of actor Boris McGiver.
His parents were Irish immigrants.
Enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army on 9 January 1942 during World War II.
