John Howard ( American actor ) John Howard ( April 14 , 1913 – February 19 , 1995 ) was an American actor noted for his work in both film and television . Early life . Born John Richard Cox , Jr . in Cleveland , Ohio , he was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of what is now Case Western Reserve University . At college he discovered a love for the theater , and took part in student productions . Career . The good - looking and personable young Howard soon became a contract player for Paramount , working in a dozen pictures before getting his first memorable role as Ronald Colman ' s younger brother in " Lost Horizon " . He soon took over for Colman in the popular " Bulldog Drummond " series of films , starring in seven of the features ( 1937 – 39 ) , and maintaining the film version of the detective as far more sophisticated than the original print character . Howard ' s next noteworthy assignment was as Katharine Hepburn ' s fiancée in " The Philadelphia Story " ( 1940 ) , competing for her attention with both Cary Grant and James Stewart . Military service . He served in the Navy during World War II , eventually as Executive Officer aboard a minesweeper USS " YMS - 24 " where he participated in landing operations at Sicily , Salerno , Anzio , and deception operations against Sardinia and Southern France . When his vessel struck a mine off the French coast in August , 1944 , killing the captain and severely damaging the ship , Howard took over command and fought valiantly to save his ship and crew , even jumping into the sea to save several wounded sailors . For his gallantry he was awarded both the US Navy Cross and the French Croix de Guerre . Return to acting . Upon his return to Hollywood , Howard was given the lead in lesser projects , but limited to supporting roles in feature pictures . Even his solid performance as Laraine Day ' s husband in " The High and the Mighty " ( 1954 ) did not generate any opportunities to break the pattern . Howard wasn ' t familiar or comfortable with the new system of agents , contrary to his acting upbringing of being owned by Paramount studios . A shy and modest man , Howard didn ' t have the assertiveness expected in an audition , and wasn ' t comfortable " selling himself " to a film . Between his shyness and not having an assertive agent , Howard ' s big screen acting career tapered out but he found a niche in television . Howard made his Broadway debut in " Hazel Flagg " in 1953 , where he met his wife , ballerina / actress Eva Ralf . Howard then played the lead in two American television series " Dr . Hudson ' s Secret Journal " and later " Adventures of the Sea Hawk " in 1957 . He found a great friendship with Fred MacMurray , star of " My Three Sons " , and was a regular guest star on the show , playing Fred MacMurray ' s boss . He became one of the first screen actors to commit to working in the new field of television and continued to make occasional film appearances until the mid - 1970s . Early in 1961 , he guest starred as Captain Chilcoath in the episode " Rebellion at Blazing Rock " of the 17 - week NBC series , " The Americans " , a dramatization of how the American Civil War divided many families . Career change to education . In time , Howard moved into academia . He taught English at Highland Hall Waldorf School for more than twenty years and helped to start the high school program at the institution . Death . He died in 1995 of heart failure , aged 81 , in Santa Rosa , California , survived by his wife and their four children . He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame .