John Phillip Law - Actor Profile

John Phillip Law

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 7, 1937
Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA

About John Phillip Law

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Phillip Law (September 7, 1937 – May 13, 2008) was an American film actor with over one hundred movie roles to his credit. He was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of actress Phyllis Sallee and the brother of actor Thomas Augustus Law (also known as Tom Law). He was best known for his roles as the blind angel Pygar in the 1968 science fiction cult classic anti-war film Barbarella, and as news anchor Robin Stone in the 1971 movie The Love Machine. (The latter reteamed him with Alexandra Hay, his costar from the 1968 "acid comedy" Skidoo.) He also gained attention in the title role of the 1968 thriller Danger: Diabolik and as a Russian sailor stranded in a New England village in The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. Tall (six-foot-five) and handsome, with steel blue eyes, Law became a male sex symbol in the 1960s. He was a VIP guest at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion and in Hollywood society. While he never achieved superstar status, he became a popular action hero, particularly in the Italian movie market, with movies ranging from science fiction, and fantasy to comedy, westerns, drama, and war movies. Law co-starred in Roger Corman's 1971 film Von Richthofen and Brown, playing Manfred von Richthofen opposite Don Stroud's Roy Brown. Corman used Lynn Garrison's Irish aviation facility, complete with replica World War I aircraft. Garrison taught Law the basics of flying so that he could take off and land, making some of the footage more realistic. Some other of Law's movies have also become cult classics, including The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Death Rides a Horse and Attack Force Z. Two of Law's films, Danger: Diabolik and Space Mutiny, were also featured in the movie-mocking TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000. In 2001 he appeared in Roman Coppola's directorial debut CQ, an homage to the Italian spy/sci-fi B-movies in which Law often starred during the 1960s. Law's final credited film role was in 2008's Chinaman's Chance. In his personal life, he was once married to actress Shawn Ryan, with whom he had a daughter named Dawn. His doctors told him in late 2007 that he had pancreatic cancer and only six months to live. Law died May 13, 2008, at his Los Angeles home. His remains were cremated and the ashes remain with his daughter, Dawn and his grandson, Ryan. Description above from the Wikipedia John Phillip Law, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

John Phillip Law Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of John Phillip Law reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of John Phillip Law's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 42% of John Phillip Law's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Rainy Day Friends, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best John Phillip Law Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John Phillip Law's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie John Phillip Law has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2006 Ray of Sunshine - Super Hit Similar →
2005 Danger: Diabolik - From Fumetti to Film Self Flop Similar →
2004 Mario Bava: Operazione paura Self Hit Similar →
2001 CQ Chairman Average Similar →
2000 Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre Self Average Similar →
1999 Ray Harryhausen: Working with Dinosaurs Self Super Hit Similar →
1999 Wanted 1. Verfolger Hit Similar →
1995 Burning Heart Böhme Super Hit Similar →
1993 The Mountain of the Lord Brigham Young Super Hit Similar →
1992 Marilyn Alive and Behind Bars Harry Billings Flop Similar →
1990 Delta Force Commando II: Priority Red One Col. Barberon Super Hit Similar →
1989 Nerds of a Feather (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1989 Cold Heat R.C. Mallon Flop Similar →
1988 A Case of Honor Capt. Roger L. Barnes Super Hit Similar →
1987 The Overthrow Shaw Super Hit Similar →
1987 Johann Strauss: The King Without a Crown Maximilian Steiner Hit Similar →
1985 Rainy Day Friends Dr. Stephen Kendrick Super Hit Similar →
1985 American Commandos Kelly Hit Similar →
1984 Hijacked to Hell Ted Barner Flop Similar →
1982 Attack Force Z Lieutenant Veitch Average Similar →
1980 The Pioneers A.P Karns Super Hit Similar →
1979 Ring of Darkness The Exorcist Flop Similar →
1979 The Best Place to Be Dr. Gary Mancini Super Hit Similar →
1978 Der Schimmelreiter Deichgraf Hauke Haien Super Hit Similar →
1978 The Devil's Bed John Vanetti Hit Similar →
1977 Target of an Assassin Shannon Flop Similar →
1977 Eyes Behind the Wall Arturo Average Similar →
1976 The Cassandra Crossing Major Stark Average Similar →
1976 Your God My Hell - Hit Similar →
1976 A Whisper in the Dark Alex Average Similar →
1975 The Spiral Staircase Steven Sherman Flop Similar →
1974 Open Season Greg Average Similar →
1973 The Golden Voyage of Sinbad Captain Sinbad Hit Similar →
1973 Stardust John Hit Similar →
1971 The Last Movie Little Brother Average Similar →
1971 The Love Machine Robin Stone Flop Similar →
1971 Von Richthofen and Brown Baron Manfred von Richthofen Average Similar →
1970 Strogoff Michael Strogoff Hit Similar →
1970 The Hawaiians Noel Hoxworth Average Similar →
1969 Diary of a Telephone Operator Crispino Average Similar →
1968 The Sergeant Pfc. Tom Swanson Average Similar →
1968 Barbarella Pygar Average Similar →
1968 Danger: Diabolik Diabolik Average Similar →
1967 The Harem (uncredited) Average Similar →
1967 Death Rides a Horse Bill Meceita Hit Similar →
1967 Hurry Sundown Rad McDowell Average Similar →
1966 The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! Alexei Kolchin Average Similar →
1964 Three Nights of Love Fra Felice Average Similar →
1964 High Infidelity Ronald Flop Similar →
1962 Smog - Average Similar →

John Phillip Law - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John Phillip Law?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Phillip Law is "Rainy Day Friends" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has John Phillip Law acted in?

John Phillip Law has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John Phillip Law?

Other notable films include "The Overthrow", "Burning Heart", and "Delta Force Commando II: Priority Red One".

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