Johnny Roventini Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Johnny Roventini (also known as John Louis Roventini and popularly as Johnny Philip Morris) (August 15, 1910 – November 30, 1998) was an American actor with dwarfism.Less than four feet tall as a fully developed adult, Roventini was working as a bellboy at the New Yorker Hotel in 1933 when he was discovered by an advertising mogul, who had him perform a page, issuing a "Call for Philip Morris". He reportedly could always vocalize a perfect B-flat tone as he repeated those words, literally over a million times during his career, according to his own estimate.He soon became famous as a product spokesman for Philip Morris brand cigarettes in radio, television and print advertising media. He was described by Philip Morris personnel as a "living trademark", and represented the company for over 40 years. He also played roles in the growth of broadcast media, most notably helping Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with the initial success of their innovative I Love Lucy comedy series beginning in 1951.
[His melodic trademark, known by millions]: "Call... for... Phil-lip MAH... REESS!" (Claimed to have exclaimed it more than a million times.)
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Fact
1
AKA Tony Boris.
2
During World War II he attempted to join the Coast Guard Auxillary; but was turned down as "too short".
3
He was making $15.00 per week at the hotel. He received $100.00 for his first radio commercial. He soon was making $50,000 a year in the 1930's and 1940's when that was a lot of money.
4
He never married; and in fact lived with his mother until her death. He retired to White Plains, New York. In retirement he enjoyed sailing. He died in 1998 of natural causes.
5
Johnny was actually only 47" tall; and he weighed 59 pounds.
6
The advertising executive handling the Phillip Morris account saw Johnny and the hotel where he worked. He paid him a dollar to page "Phillip Morris" in the lobby of the hotel. Johnny later said he had no idea there was a cigarette by that name. He had no idea at the time that while he was calling for "Phillip Morris" he was actually auditioning for what would become his career.
7
Was under lifetime contract to Philip Morris Inc. from 1933.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Candid Camera
1953
TV Series
Johnny the Bellboy
Superman and the Mole-Men
1951
Mole-Man (as Tony Boris uncredited)
Stage Door Canteen
1943
Johnny - Bellhop 'Living Tradmark' for Philip Morris Cigarettes (uncredited)
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Adventures of Superman
1953
TV Series
Mole-Man #4
Known for movies
Candid Camera (1953) as Johnny the Bellboy
Stage Door Canteen (1943) as Johnny - Bellhop 'Living Tradmark' for Philip Morris Cigarettes
$8 Million
