John Anthony Megna (November 9, 1952 – September 5, 1995) was an American actor, director and teacher. His best-known role is that of Dill in the film To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
Early life
John Anthony Megna was born in Ozone Park, Queens, New York, to Ralph W. Megna, a pharmacist, and Eleanor McGinley, a one-time nightclub singer. He was a half-brother of Connie Stevens through their mother, and an ex-brother-in-law of Eddie Fisher, both famous singers. He attended Holy Cross High School in Flushing, New York.
Career
At age 6, Megna made his acting debut in Frank Loesser's Broadway musical Greenwillow. At 7, he starred in All the Way Home, This led to his being cast as Charles Baker "Dill" Harris in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird. He later became a high school English, Spanish, and history teacher, He also taught Honors English at Hollenbeck Junior High in Boyle Heights.
Personal life and death
Megna was openly gay. He died from AIDS-related complications on September 5, 1995, at Midway Hospital in Los Angeles, at the age of 42.