Milton Johns, born John Robert Milton, grew up in the working class district of Bedminster, Bristol, where his father, a qualified engineer, was forced to work as a tram driver due to economic circumstances. Despite these challenges, Johns developed a passion for theatre from childhood, joining the Theatre Curtain Club and later studying at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 1962.
Johns began his career on the stage, spending several seasons with the Old Vic, Royal Court Theatre, London's West End, and repertory companies in Coventry, Sheffield, and Farnham. He made his television debut in 1960, but did not return to the medium until 1965. Since then, he has enjoyed a five-decade-long career as a prolific and versatile supporting actor, often cast in shifty, villainous, or unctuous roles.
Johns is perhaps best known for his role as tactical officer Bewil in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980). He also appeared in three Doctor Who serials: as a henchman of the main antagonist in Doctor Who and the Enemy of the World (1967),an ill-fated British astronaut in The Android Invasion (1975),and as a high-ranking Time Lord in The Deadly Assassin (1978).
In addition to his work in science fiction, Johns has appeared in a wide range of roles, including the status-conscious John Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (1971),the disreputable Matthew Sanson in the original series of Poldark (1975),and high-ranking Nazi officer Adolf Eichmann in the miniseries War and Remembrance (1988).
Johns has also had notable roles in lighter fare, such as Pickwick's lawyer Mr. Perker in The Pickwick Papers (1985),Union General Secretary Ron Watson in an episode of Yes Minister (1980),and pawnshop owner Mr. Meiklejohn in The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders (1996).
In his private life, Johns has maintained a lifelong interest in horse racing and cricket.
