JOHN MONTEITH (1948-2018)

      John Monteith, one of five children born to Wilson and Helen Monteith, came into this world on November 1, 1948 in Philadelphia. He spent his childhood in Horsham.

In high school he was involved with all things theatrical- three years of drama club, president of Thespians (which is essentially the honor society of dramatics), band, chorus and spirit committee. Among our senior superlatives, he was chosen (along with Lynn Rosemary) as “most ingenious”. John is remembered as funny, warm and kind. With a mind that raced from one clever thought to the next, he was a master of impressions and improvisation. Drama club members remark that when Lynn and John took the stage and asked for improv suggestions, it was magic. Everyone knew he was destined for the big stage somewhere.

Three years in the drama club placed him in all of Mrs. Little’s productions, beginning with Caine Mutiny Court-Martial in the fall of 1963 and finishing with our Jr-Sr play, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

His interest and pet project outside of school was his amateur production company, 3-M Studios. One of the movies he made was a 1920’s gangster-type flick complete with machine guns, murder, and speakeasys. Many of his drama club friends were also involved.

John went on to attend Boston University, where he earned a BFA in acting. After graduation, he joined the casts of several improv groups. Initially, he performed with The Proposition in Cambridge and New York City, followed by the Toronto company of Second City.

Upon his return to the states, he partnered with Suzanne Rand, forming the critically acclaimed comedy team of Monteith & Rand. Starring in their own Broadway show in 1979 and, years later, in their own TV series, they were regulars on the major TV talk shows, including those of Merv Griffin and Johnny Carson. He and Suzanne went on to perform for both Democratic and Republican administrations and even once for the Supreme Court.

John taught improvisation in New York at the well-known Herbert Berghof Studios for 25 years where he was known by his students as humble and modest, and a patient teacher. All throughout his professional career he wrote, directed or acted, and he spent most of his adult life in New York City. At the time of his death, on January 16, 2018, he was living in Jersey City.

Surviving are his siblings, Michael, Patricia, and David; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Maureen. Services were held on January 27 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Horsham. John is buried at Whitemarsh Memorial Park.

 In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial contributions be made to The American Cancer Society, 110 W. Laurel Ave., Cheltenham, PA 19012.

http://www.theintell.com/OBITUARIES/20180124/JOHN-MONTEITH