Contents
Early Life and Career
John Justin was born as John Justinian de Ledesma on November 24, 1917, in London, England. He was the son of a wealthy Argentine rancher, who owned an estate in South America. He developed a passion for flying and became a qualified pilot at the age of 12, though he was not allowed to fly solo because of his age
He also became interested in acting at a young age, and joined the Plymouth Repertory at the age of 16. He briefly attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, but left soon after to join the repertory company of John Gielgud, one of the most acclaimed actors of his time. He appeared in several plays, including Dear Octopus, which was written by Dodie Smith, the author of The Hundred and One Dalmatians
He got his big break in 1938, when he auditioned for and was cast as the lead role of Prince Ahmad in the 1940 film The Thief of Bagdad, opposite Sabu, the Indian child star. The film was a lavish fantasy adventure, produced by Alexander Korda, and was one of the most expensive and successful films of its era. Justin had to sign a seven-year contract with Korda to secure the role, which would limit his future choices
Second World War and Aftermath
The Second World War broke out during the production of The Thief of Bagdad, and the film had to be relocated from Britain to the United States. After completing the picture, Justin joined the Royal Air Force, serving as a test pilot and flying instructor. He was injured in a crash, which left him with facial scars and a broken nose. He was given leave to work on two propaganda films, The Gentle Sex (1943), with Leslie Howard, and Journey Together (1944), with Edward G. Robinson and Richard Attenborough
After the war, Justin returned to acting, both on stage and on screen. He joined the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon, where he played various roles, such as the Dauphin in King John, Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice, Florizel in The Winter’s Tale, Cassio in Othello, Horatio in Hamlet, and Paris in Troilus and Cressida. He was praised for his golden voice and elegant manner
He also appeared in several films, such as The Angel with the Trumpet (1950), The Sound Barrier (1952), Melba (1953), King of the Khyber Rifles (1954), The Man Who Loved Redheads (1955), and Island in the Sun (1957). He often played romantic or heroic roles, but he also had a flair for comedy, which was not fully exploited by the film industry. He used his film earnings to subsidize his stage work, which he preferred. He also appeared in some children’s classics, such as Peter Pan and Toad of Toad Hall
Personal Life and Death
Justin was married three times. His first wife was Pola Nirenska, a Polish dancer and choreographer, who was a survivor of the Holocaust. They married in 1946, but divorced in 1949. She later committed suicide in 1992. His second wife was Barbara Murray, a British actress, who co-starred with him in The Sound Barrier and The Man Who Loved Redheads. They married in 1952, and had three children, but divorced in 1964. His third wife was Alison McMurdo, whom he married in 1979
Justin died on November 29, 2002, in Petersfield, Hampshire, England, at the age of 85. He had been suffering from lung cancer for some time, and had been in hospice care. His death was attributed to natural causes, but some sources suggest that he may have taken his own life, as he had been depressed and lonely in his final years. He was buried at Lodge Hill Cemetery and Crematorium in Birmingham, England, where his grave is marked with a simple headstone that reads: “John Justin. Actor. 1935-1960.”
Legacy and Influence
John Justin was a talented and versatile actor, who had a long and varied career in theatre and film. He was best known for his role as Prince Ahmad in The Thief of Bagdad, which is considered one of the greatest fantasy films of all time. He also worked with some of the most renowned directors and actors of his generation, such as David Lean, Terence Rattigan, Tyrone Power, Gene Kelly, and Edward G. Robinson. He was admired for his voice, his charm, and his professionalism. He was also a generous and kind person, who supported many causes and charities. He was a patron of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where he had trained as a young actor. He was also a founding member of the British Actors’ Equity Association, and a supporter of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1998, for his services to drama
John Justin’s cause of death was a sad end to a remarkable life. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances, and a lasting impression on his fans and colleagues. He was a star of the stage and screen, who lived a life of adventure and romance. He was a British actor, who had a touch of magic
