John Morton Simpson III
John Simpson played a flesh eating Ghoul in Night of the Living Dead, His Ghoul was also featured on the USA one sheet poster chewing on a bone.
John Morton Simpson, III was born on December 25, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA.
He was raised with his parents and younger brother, Fred. He graduated from Northeast High School in Philadelphia in 1950, where he participated in theater, basketball, and competitive fencing, earning the Championship title for Fencing in 1950. John then served as a member of the US Marine Corps in the Korean War. Following his stint in the service, he married Suzanne L. Smith, whom he had met in The Abbey Players, a community theater group in Philadelphia. He worked in the insurance industry for several years, always participating in community theater productions. Moving to Pittsburgh around 1958, he continued insurance work with Daniel, Sapp, and Borne for a time, also acting and directing in several productions at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Performing regularly at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, he starred in The Firebugs in 1965. In 1966 he played Mitch in Streetcar Named Desire. His family with Suzanne grew to include six children by 1965.
In 1969 he left his position as vice-president of Daniel, Sapp and Borne to actively pursue a career in theater and film. He worked for Hardman Associates and later with the Latent Image production company making commercial films for companies like Univac. John also had done voice over work, playing the characters Big Dollar, Bessie V. Hicks, Luther Pike, Howard O'Brien and others on Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, and Chuck Craig's show "The Teahouse with Jason Flake" on WYRT/WTAE. It was through his association with Karl and Marilyn that he performed as a flesh-eating ghoul in Night of the Living Dead (1968). He would later appear as the mayor in George Romero s horror film The Crazies (1973), also filmed in Pittsburgh. Also in the late 60's he also produced and performed in a nightclub act Upstairs at Beck s Charter Oaks. He performed in several productions for the Civic Light Opera Association of Greater Pittsburgh, including High Button Shoes (1972) as Elmer Simpkins. He also made a few appearances as sidekick to the host of a Pittsburgh late night television show, Jazzbeauxz Rehearsals with DJ / television personality, Al Jazzbeauxz Collins.
In 1973, John moved to Los Angeles, California, believing there would be more opportunities for a career in the film industry. He continued to act and direct in community theater groups while also taking small bit parts on television commercials and programs like Laverne and Shirley. He did voice-over work for Sesame Street. He worked for TWI Trans World International for a time filming and producing sports and entertainment films. Never achieving sustained commercial success in either theater or film, John supplementing his income with a variety of occupations like selling sheepskins on the street corner of LA or managing a cellular phone sales office.
In later years, after a bout of serious health issues including a stroke, John retired and moved to Redondo Beach and became very active in the local Traumatic Brain Injury Social Network. He served as the director and chair for TBI, organizing trips and procuring tickets to various theater and film productions. John also served as a Chairman of the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force, helping to forge connections between veterans in the area, and in establishing a lasting tribute to those who served in the military. He was also an active member of the Christ Episcopal Church.
John passed away in Redondo Beach on July 14, 2011, close to the beach and community he loved. He was survived by his six adult children, 15 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren.
Bio written by Johns daughter, Michelle.
