John Phillip Law is an actor who deserves to be included in the same circle as James Coburn, Sean Connery and Clint Eastwood: all actors who seem larger than life on the screen, and who fit a specific role perfectly without being typecast.
He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Pygar the angel in the 1968 cult hit Barbarella. Although that role was fairly two-dimensional, it is hard to imagine another actor doing more with it. His first major role was in Carl Reiner and Norman Jewison's 1966 film The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming! He played a Russian submariner stranded on the coast of New England during the cold war and, although his accent was perhaps not entirely convincing, it did serve to introduce this actor with charm, grit and vulnerability to the public. He also had a part in Otto Preminger's 1968 cult favorite Skidoo and starred in the 1971 movie treatment of Jacqueline Susann's book The Love Machine.
Perhaps his best role was in Mario Bava's greatly underappreciated film of 1967-Danger: Diabolik! The lead-an amoral yet monogamous criminal mastermind-was perfectly suited to Law's rangy physical presence and flair for tongue-in-cheek delivery. The film's failing was that it was spy spoof and thriller in one, and thus difficult to market. Its virtues were many: truly exciting action sequences, great music by Ennio Morricone, and fantastic costuming and sets. It seriously deserved to be made into a franchise like the Bond films. Alas, it was not to be.
Law has been busy over the years, making many films in Italy, and has become a sort of cult figure to hipsters the world over. Il Giaguaro magazine from Italy has featured him often, and Roman Coppola-a fan-recently cast Law in his film CQ. From all evidence, Law has remained an unpretentious and friendly person, and one that seems to truly enjoy his life.
