Cap by Missy Cartwright
John Archer was born Ralph Bowman in 1915. He wanted to be a movie director, but when things didn't work out in that field, he started acting onstage. He got his name after winning a radio acting contest called "Jesse Lasky's Gateway to Hollywood." The winner got a contract made out in the name of John Archer.
Besides acting, John also ran a trucking business with his brother. Eventually he spent more time with that business than with acting. He passed away from lung cancer in 1999.