The Stage

John Vernon

Published Tuesday 22 March 2005 at 12:15

My father John Vernon, who died aged 72, was a veteran actor of films including Topaz, Dirty Harry and Animal House. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Regina in Canada and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his contribution to the arts.

Born on February 24, 1932 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, after training at London’s RADA and honing his skills in Canadian theatre and TV and on Broadway in The Royal Hunt of the Sun, he made his US film debut in John Boorman’s Point Blank (1967) as a trusted friend who betrays Lee Marvin.

During his long and accomplished career, he was directed by some stellar film makers, including Alfred Hitchcock (Topaz, 1969), George Cukor (Justine, 1969) Don Siegel (Dirty Harry, 1971), where he was memorable as the ineffectual Mayor of San Francisco opposite Clint Eastwood.

He may be best remembered as the sinister Dean Wormer in John Landis’s Animal House (1978), a role he reprised in the TV spinoff Delta House (1979). This led to more comedy roles, a highlight being Mr Big in I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988).

He is survived by his loving family, former wife Nancy West Vernon, his daughters, myself and Nan Vernon, sons Chris Vernon, Jim West and Grant West and his adored granddaughter Annabelle Negron, the daughter of Kate and musician Chuck Negron. He also leaves his brother Dr Ernie Christopher and his wife Jean and their children Tracey, Bobby and Simon.

His death on January 31 at his home in California also leaves a whole host of people in this country who have had the distinct pleasure of his tremendous company on and off his screen.

Kate Vernon