| Mervyn Johns, the stage and film character actor, was born in Pembroke, and attended Llandovery College from 1912 to 1915. His pride in being Welsh found expression in an enthusiasm for rugby. He was a lifelong supporter of Llanelli and in his youth attended the big matches at Cardiff Arms Park whenever possible. He also enjoyed cricket, and he scored 49 against Christ College, Brecon in 1915.
Johns originally intended to practise medicine, but soon decided that he was not tough enough for the job and opted for acting instead. He won the Gold Medal and several other awards at RADA, but it took him a long time to build up his confidence. His career spanned six decades, during which he imbued all sorts of mild-mannered “little men” on stage and screen with an unexpected and affecting sincerity. The 1940s were his great stage period, when he played several roles in Shaw’s plays. Most of his memorable film roles were also in the 1940s. His daughter was the juvenile star Glynis Johns. |
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