John R. Countryman
John Russell Countryman (born January 25, 1933), stage name Johnnie Russell, is an American former child actor and retired career officer for the United States Foreign Service.
John R. Countryman | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Russell Countryman January 25, 1933 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Johnnie/Johnny Russell |
| Alma mater | Fordham University University of Miami |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1938–40 (as actor) 1962–87 (US Foreign Service) |
| Spouse | Illona Zwolski Vachon |
| Children | 1 |
| 4th United States Ambassador to Oman | |
| In office October 14, 1981 – July 29, 1985 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Marshall W. Wiley |
| Succeeded by | George Cranwell Montgomery |
Before the age of ten, Countryman appeared in more than a dozen Hollywood films, and afterwards had a brief career on the New York stage. A graduate of a private Jesuit military secondary school, he served in the Air Force and then entered the Foreign Service in 1962. He held various postings in the Middle East and Africa before being appointed United States Ambassador to Oman from 1981 to 1985. Following his 35-year diplomatic career, he served as Executive Director of the Mission for Peace and Cooperation in the Middle East under the auspices of Search for Common Ground.