John Justin

Biography

John Justinian de Ledesma, known as John Justin, was a distinguished British actor born on November 24, 1917, in London, England. He hailed from an affluent Argentine ranching family and received his education at Bryanston School in Dorset. Justin developed a passion for aviation early on, earning his pilot's license at just 12 years old, although he couldn't fly solo due to his age.

His journey in acting began at the youthful age of 16 when he joined the Plymouth Repertory Theatre. In 1937, he briefly attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art but soon left to join John Gielgud's repertory company. Justin gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Ahmad in the 1940 film "The Thief of Bagdad," featuring alongside Sabu.

With the outbreak of World War II, Justin served as a test pilot and instructor in the Royal Air Force while also contributing to films like "The Gentle Sex" (1943) and "Journey Together" (1944). Following the war, he returned to the stage and screen, appearing in notable films such as David Lean’s "The Sound Barrier" (1952), "Island in the Sun" (1957), and "Lisztomania" (1975). His preference for theater led him to join the Old Vic company in 1959, and he made his Broadway debut in 1960 with "Little Moon of Alban."

Justin was married three times, first to dancer Pola Nirenska, then to actress Barbara Murray, with whom he had three daughters, and finally to Alison McMurdo, his partner until his passing on November 29, 2002.