A star known for roles in “South Pacific” and “The Pit and the Pendulum,” John Kerr, died at the age of 81. The actor died of heart failure, according to his son Michael. Us Weekly shared the details on Feb. 12.
John Kerr dies leaving a legacy of well-known acting roles behind him. He won a Tony for his role of Tom Robinson Lee in “Tea and Sympathy” in 1954, and he went on to star in the 1956 film version as well. Kerr worked in television on “Peyton Place,” and he also attended Harvard and the University of California, Los Angeles. After acting John Kerr practiced law until his 2000 retirement.
The lawyer and actor is survived by his wife Barbara Chu along with children, stepchildren and seven grandchildren. Kerr's parents were film and stage actors as well, as was his grandfather. John grew up in New York City and made his Broadway debut in 1953. The actor's last role before turning to practicing law was in 1986 on “The Park Is Mine,” a made-for-TV movie that starred Tommy Lee Jones. John Kerr died at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, Calif. according to his son Michael in a confirmation to the Associated Press.
Comments