John Merivale

Jack Merivale
Jack Merivale

Jack Merivale was a tall, dark and very handsome actor who featured in many films of the 1940’s and 50’s. He was born in 1917 in Toronto, Canada. He made his debut in a small role in the classic James Whale film “The Invisible Man” in 1933. He went on to feature in “A Night to Remember”, “The Battle of the River Plate” and “Arabesque” in 1966. His first wife was the actress Jan Sterling. He was a longtime partner of Vivien Leigh until her death in 1967 and he was married to Dinah Sheridan at the time of his death in 1990.

IMDB entry:

John Merivale was born on December 1, 1917 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as John Herman Merivale. He was an actor, known for Arabesque (1966), A Night to Remember(1958) and Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959). He was married to Dinah Sheridan andJan Sterling. He died on February 6, 1990 in London, England.

   
   
In 1970, he was given ten years to live because of a previously undiagnosed hereditary kidney condition. He fell into a relationship with long-time friend actress Dinah Sheridan, who learned how to administer kidney dialysis at home. They married in 1986 and John died four years later, having stretched his life from ten to twenty years.
Became the lover and longtime companion of actress Vivien Leigh following her divorce from Laurence Olivier in 1960. He also became her dedicated caretaker in her final years as manic depression and prolonged illnesses grew severe. He was by her side when she died of tuberculosis in 1967.
Stepbrother of Sally Pearson.
The above IMDB entry can also be accessed online here.

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