Blond and baby-faced, John Savage made a name for himself as a sensitive, vulnerable screen presence during the 1970s. The Long Island-born actor studied at NYC's American Academy of Dramatic Arts, began his stage career in the 60s and by 1971 had appeared on Broadway in the long-running "Fiddler on the Roof". He would tour the USA as the ultra-shy and stuttering Billy Bibbit in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" but not before enjoying a breakthrough of sorts as a young East Coast youth who runs off to the Wild West thus evading service in the Civil War, in Robert Benton's feature directing
Organized Manhattan's Children's Theatre Group (performed in public housing)
1970
Played small role as the boyfriend in feature "Love Is a Carousel"
1971
Appeared on Broadway in "Fiddler on the Roof"
1972
Cast by Robert Benton in Benton's feature directorial debut "Bad Company"; played one of the immature members of a post-Civil War gang led by Jeff Bridges
1973
Toured USA in production of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" playing the role of Billy Bibbit
