John Farrow.

John Villiers Farrow

Born 10 Feb 1904 Sydney, Australia

Died 27 Jan 1963 Beverly Hills, United States

Citizenship Australia

Would Be 122 yr If Living

11 min read

Reading time

2,051

Words

Sep 12, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

John Farrow shared the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Around the World in 80 Days in 1956. The Australian-born filmmaker began his Hollywood career as a technical advisor in the late 1920s, then worked as a screenwriter before directing his first films in 1937. He served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy during World War II and after the war converted to Catholicism, writing a biography of Thomas More. Farrow married actress Maureen O’Sullivan in 1936 and they had seven children, including actress Mia Farrow.

Identity & family.

KIN · 9

Names, aliases, and relatives of John Farrow — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name John Villiers Farrow

Aliases John V. Farrow

Parents: Lucy Savage Joseph Farrow
Spouses: Maureen O'Sullivan Felice Lewin
Children: Mia Farrow Patrick Villiers Farrow Tisa Farrow Stephanie Farrow Prudence Farrow

At a glance.

STATS

John Farrow by the numbers — life, work, and family.

58 Years lived

4 Awards

2 Marriages

5 Children

Who was John Farrow?

BIOGRAPHY

John Farrow — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Lucy Savage and Joseph Farrow had a son, John Villiers Farrow, on February 10, 1904, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He wrote short stories and plays during his four-year career in the Royal Australian Navy. In the late 1920s, Farrow came to Hollywood as a technical advisor for a film about Marines—a role that set the course of his life.

Career

Farrow started in Hollywood as a screenwriter, with credits including A Sailor’s Sweetheart 1927 and Tarzan Escapes 1936. He married Maureen O’Sullivan, who played Jane in the Tarzan films, in 1936. The following year, Farrow directed his first films: Men in Exile and West of Shanghai. He served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy during World War II and was injured. After the war, he converted to Catholicism and wrote a biography of Thomas More. Farrow continued directing, notably Wake Island 1942, which earned William Bendix an Oscar nomination, and The Big Clock 1948. He shared the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Around the World in 80 Days 1956.

Personal life

Farrow married Felice Lewin in 1924; they had one daughter, Felice Patricia, before divorcing in 1927. He met actress Maureen O’Sullivan on the set of Just Imagine 1930, where she played LN-18, and they married in 1936 at St. Monica’s Church in Santa Monica, California. The couple had seven children: Michael, Patrick, Maria known as Mia Farrow, John Charles, Prudence, Theresa Tisa, and Stephanie. His daughter Mia made her film debut in John Paul Jones 1959, the final film he directed. He converted to Roman Catholicism. Robert Mitchum described him as the only director in Hollywood who could out-drink him.

Legacy

John Farrow was a prolific filmmaker, a decorated navy officer, and a Papal Knight. He directed two actors to Oscar nominations: William Bendix for Wake Island 1942 and Geraldine Page for Hondo 1953. Outside cinema, he wrote a biography of Thomas More and a history of the Papacy. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is remembered as the grandfather of journalist Ronan Farrow. Farrow won an Oscar for writing Around the World in 80 Days and raised actress Mia Farrow.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by John Farrow — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Did you know?

FACTS · 17

Little-known facts about John Farrow — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

With Maureen O’Sullivan, John Farrow fathered seven children: Michael, Patrick, Maria known as Mia, John Charles, Prudence, Theresa Tisa, and Stephanie.
Mia Farrow, his daughter, made her film debut in John Paul Jones 1959, which was the last film he directed.
Actor Robert Mitchum once said that John Farrow was the only Hollywood director who could out-drink him.
John Farrow met his future wife, Maureen O’Sullivan, while she was playing LN-18 in the 1930 film Just Imagine.
During World War II, Farrow served in the Royal Canadian Navy.
Farrow was a keen adventurer who participated in numerous scientific expeditions.
Under Farrow’s direction, William Bendix earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Wake Island 1942, and Geraldine Page earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Hondo 1953.
Farrow spent most of his Hollywood career working at RKO and Paramount studios.
John Farrow is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, in Section P, Lot 317, Grave 5.
He was among a select group of film directors who were also Papal Knights.
Through his daughter Mia, Farrow became the ex-father-in-law of Frank Sinatra and André Previn.
Farrow and Maureen O’Sullivan were wed at St. Monica’s Church in Santa Monica, California, with groomsmen including Alan Mowbray and Ainsworth Morgan.
Ronan Farrow, the journalist, is his grandson.
Farrow converted to Roman Catholicism.
He is also the grandfather of Moses Farrow, Soon-Yi Previn, Daisy Previn, and Fletcher Previn.
Farrow was of English ancestry.
From his first marriage to Felice Lewin, Farrow had a daughter, Felice Patricia, born in 1925. He is the grandfather of Jonathan Rose, Felicia Rose, and Douglas Levitt.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 50

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about John Farrow.

When was John Farrow born?

John Farrow was born on February 10, 1904. His birthplace was Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Where was John Farrow born?

He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. That city is the capital of New South Wales.
When did John Farrow die?

John Farrow died on January 27, 1963. He passed away in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.
How old was John Farrow when he died?

He was 58 years old at the time of his death. He died from a heart attack.
Where did John Farrow die?

He died in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. The cause was a heart attack.
How did John Farrow die?

John Farrow died from a heart attack. This occurred on January 27, 1963, in Beverly Hills.
What was John Farrow's birth name?

His full birth name was John Villiers Farrow. He sometimes used the alias John V. Farrow.
What did John Farrow do for a living?

John Farrow was a director, writer, and producer in Hollywood. He also wrote short stories, plays, and novels.
What nationality was John Farrow?

He was Australian by nationality. He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
What language did John Farrow speak?

His native language was English. He also wrote a Tahitian/English dictionary.
Who were John Farrow's parents?

His parents were Lucy Savage and Joseph Farrow. They lived in Sydney, Australia.
Who was John Farrow married to?

He was married twice: to Felice Lewin from 1924 to 1927, and to Maureen O’Sullivan from 1936 until his death in 1963.
Did John Farrow have children?

Yes, he had seven children with Maureen O’Sullivan, including actress Mia Farrow, and one daughter from his first marriage. His children include Mia, Patrick, Tisa, Stephanie, and Prudence.
What awards did John Farrow win?

He won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay for Around the World in 80 Days 1956. He also received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
How many awards did John Farrow win?

He won four major awards: an Academy Award, two knighthood honors CBE and Holy Sepulchre, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
What is John Farrow best known for?

He is best known for writing the Oscar-winning screenplay for Around the World in 80 Days 1956 and for directing films like Wake Island 1942 and The Big Clock 1948. He is also known as the father of actress Mia Farrow.
How tall was John Farrow?

John Farrow was 5 feet 11 inches tall, which is 1.80 meters. His height was often noted in Hollywood profiles.
What alias did John Farrow use?

He sometimes used the alias John V. Farrow. This was used in some of his screenwriting credits.
On what exact date did John Farrow die?

He died on January 27, 1963. The location was Beverly Hills, California.
At what age did John Farrow die?

He was 58 years old when he died. His death was caused by a heart attack.
What caused John Farrow's death?

The cause of death was a heart attack. He died at his home in Beverly Hills.
What was John Farrow's birth name exactly?

His birth name was John Villiers Farrow. He was sometimes credited as John V. Farrow.
How tall was John Farrow in meters?

His height was 1.80 meters. That is equivalent to 5 feet 11 inches.
For which works is John Farrow most famous?

He is most famous for the film Around the World in 80 Days 1956, for which he won an Oscar. He also directed Wake Island 1942 and The Big Clock 1948.
Was John Farrow married more than once?

Yes, he was married twice. His first marriage was to Felice Lewin, and his second to actress Maureen O’Sullivan.
How many children did John Farrow have?

He had eight children total: one from his first marriage and seven with Maureen O’Sullivan. Among them are actress Mia Farrow and author Prudence Farrow.
Who are John Farrow's famous relatives?

His daughter Mia Farrow is a famous actress. He is also the grandfather of journalist Ronan Farrow and the ex-father-in-law of Frank Sinatra and André Previn.
How many Oscar nominations did John Farrow receive?

He received six award nominations overall, including one Oscar nomination for writing, which he won. He also directed two actors to Oscar nominations.
Did John Farrow win an Academy Award?

Yes, he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Around the World in 80 Days in 1956. He shared the award with other writers.
What year did John Farrow win an Oscar?

He won the Oscar in 1956 for Around the World in 80 Days. The film also won Best Picture that year.
Did John Farrow serve in World War II?

Yes, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy during World War II. He was injured during his service.
What was John Farrow's religion?

He converted to Roman Catholicism after World War II. He wrote a biography of Thomas More, a Catholic saint.
Where is John Farrow buried?

He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. His grave is in Section P, Lot 317, Grave 5.
Who was John Farrow's famous daughter?

His daughter Mia Farrow is a well-known actress. She made her film debut in John Paul Jones 1959, the last film he directed.
Did John Farrow direct any films that earned Oscar nominations?

Yes, he directed Wake Island 1942, which earned William Bendix a Best Supporting Actor nomination, and Hondo 1953, which earned Geraldine Page a Best Supporting Actress nomination.
Was John Farrow a knight?

He was a Papal Knight, receiving the Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He was also a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Did John Farrow write any books?

Yes, he wrote a biography of Thomas More, a history of the Papacy, and several novels. He also compiled a Tahitian/English dictionary.
Which studios did John Farrow work for?

He worked mainly at RKO and Paramount studios during his Hollywood career. Many of his films were produced by these studios.
What is John Farrow's relationship to Ronan Farrow?

Ronan Farrow is his grandson. Ronan is the son of Mia Farrow and is a well-known journalist and author.
Did John Farrow convert to Catholicism?

Yes, he converted to Roman Catholicism after his service in World War II. His faith influenced his writings.
Was John Farrow a Papal Knight?

Yes, he was a Papal Knight, receiving the Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. This is a rare honor for a film director.
How many times was John Farrow married?

He was married twice. First to Felice Lewin from 1924 to 1927, and then to Maureen O’Sullivan from 1936 until his death.
Did John Farrow serve in the Royal Navy?

Yes, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy during World War II. He was injured during his service and later served in the Royal Canadian Navy.
What was John Farrow's height in feet and inches?

He was 5 feet 11 inches tall. That is equivalent to 1.80 meters.
Did John Farrow have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Yes, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It recognizes his contributions to motion pictures.
Who was John Farrow's first wife?

His first wife was Felice Lewin. They were married from 1924 to 1927 and had one daughter, Felice Patricia.
When did John Farrow marry Maureen O'Sullivan?

He married Maureen O’Sullivan on September 12, 1936. The ceremony took place at St. Monica’s Church in Santa Monica, California.
What was John Farrow's first film as director?

His first films as director were Men in Exile and West of Shanghai, both released in 1937.
Which actress did John Farrow marry?

He married actress Maureen O’Sullivan, best known for playing Jane in the Tarzan films. They met on the set of Just Imagine 1930.
Did John Farrow serve in the Royal Canadian Navy?

Yes, he also served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. He was an inveterate adventurer and joined many scientific expeditions.

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Audited & updated by

Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on September 12, 2026

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