Born John Anthony Woods in Salisbury, England in 1941, John Levene is currently living and working in Los Angeles under the name John Anthony Blake. His most recent work includes directing and producing the "Wings" Tennis Classic with Robert Wagner.
John began his acting career in the sixties after being encouraged by Telly Savalas to give it a try. He appeared in more than 50 BBC and ITV productions prior to his first appearance on Doctor Who. He first appeared in a walk-on part as a Cyberman, then a Yeti and finally, as Benton. He appeared in more than a dozen episodes between 1969 and 1975 before the UNIT crew was written out of the show.
He continued his acting career in such cult TV favorites as The Adventurers, U.F.O., and Space: 1999. His film credits include When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth and Permission to Kill. John then founded a company called Genesis Communications in which he directed more than 45 audio visuals for clients such as Rolls Royce and Ford Motor Company. One of his pieces won a Gold Award, similar to an Emmy, for the "Most Creative Music and Visual Combination."
His varied career next took him to cruise ships where he circumnavigated South America on a 50-day cruise with stops in the Amazon Basin, Brazil and Peru. He has also worked on several cruises between Bermuda and New York, where he acquired the nickname "Gentleman Johnny Bingo."
One of John's favorite anecdotes concerns his visit to the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was taken on a complete tour and then watched filming of the dinner scene in the episode "Family." After filming finished, Patrick Stewart came up and greeted John warmly, explaining that he had been asked to do a Mythmakers video. By way of introducing Patrick Stewart to the series, they had shown him John's video. Stewart was so impressed by John's video that he asked to meet the man himself.
John has been called "the fan's friend," and it's an apt description. He's always in high gear whenever I've seen him at conventions, doing his best for the fans. Whether it's telling another terrible joke or sneakily putting on his red rubber clown nose just before he gets his photo taken with a fan, he's always going all out. He is rightfully a regular at Visions, and I always look forward to seeing him.
Back to the TARDIS.
