Having studied at Oxford and been posted to Burma as a major in World War II, John's acting career did not take off until after 50th birthday when he joined a theatre group in Derby. His natural talent landed him a host of roles in television and film throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, including Three Men and a Little Lady alongside Ted Danson and Tom Selleck, which he flew out to shoot in Hollywood on his 70th birthday.