John Beasley
Born(1943-06-26)June 26, 1943
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
DiedMay 30, 2023(2023-05-30) (aged 79)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1989–2022
Spouse
Judy Beasley
​
(m. 1965)​
Children2
RelativesMalik Beasley (grandson)

John Beasley (June 26, 1943 – May 30, 2023) was an American actor. He is best known for his roles in the films Rudy (1993), The General's Daughter (1999), The Sum of All Fears (2002), Walking Tall (2004), The Purge: Anarchy (2014), Sinister 2 (2015), and his role as Irv Harper in the TV series Everwood (2002–2006). In 2002, Beasley founded the "John Beasley Theater & Workshop" in Omaha, Nebraska, to promote live theater, especially works written by or featuring African Americans.

Life and career

Beasley was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 26, 1943.[1] He did not begin his acting career until his mid-40s. Prior to that he was a railroad man with the Union Pacific Railroad.[2] He established the John Beasley Theater and Workshop in South Omaha, and he would remain working there for nearly a dozen years.[3]

Beasley played General Lasseter in The Sum of All Fears and Reverend C. Charles Blackwell in The Apostle.[4] In 1992, he played Jesse and Terry Hall's father in The Mighty Ducks.[4] He starred in the 2004 remake of Walking Tall.[5]

Beasley made numerous guest roles on television and has appeared in several television films. His most prominent role in a television series was as Irv Harper in the WB series Everwood.[6] He also appeared in the TV Land sitcom The Soul Man, which aired its fifth and final season in 2016.[7] Beasley also claimed that even if he had not made it to Broadway, he would still would've had a successful career.[8]

Personal life and death

Beasley married Judy Beasley, and would remain her husband for nearly sixty years, until his death.[5] They had two sons and six grandchildren. His grandson Malik is a professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Beasley died at a hospital in Omaha on May 30, 2023, at the age of 79.[9]

Filmography

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Film

Year Title Role Notes
1991 V.I. Warshawski[6] Ernie
1992 The Mighty Ducks[4] Mr. Hall
1993 Rudy[4] Coach Warren
1993 Untamed Heart[6] Cook
1994 Little Big League[6] Roberts
1997 The Apostle Brother C. Charles Blackwell
1999 The General's Daughter[6] Col. Slesinger
1999 Crazy in Alabama[6] Nehemiah Jackson
2000 The Operator Rev. James
2000 Lost Souls[10] Mike Smythe
2000 The Gift Albert Hawkins
2002 The Sum of All Fears[6] Gen. Lasseter
2004 Walking Tall[5] Chris Vaughn Sr.
2014 The Purge: Anarchy Papa Rico Sanchez
2015 I'll See You in My Dreams Mike
2015 Sinister 2 Father Rodriguez
2019 The Turkey Bowl Judge Tibbins
2020 Cowboys Ben the Friendly Ranger
2020 Spell Earl
2022 Firestarter[6] Irv Manders

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Brewster Place[6] Mr. Willie Episodes: "Open for Business", "Spring Fever", "Whatever Happened to Patience Jones", "Bernice Sands Comes Home"
1993 Laurel Avenue Mr. Coleman TV miniseries
1997 To Sir, with Love II Ogden Episode: "Pilot"
1998 Early Edition[6] Capt. Leon Haines Episodes: "A Minor Miracle", "The Quality of Mercy"
1999 Millennium James Edward Hollis Episodes: "Darwin's Eye", "Via Dolorosa", "Goodbye to All That"
1999 A.T.F. Sec. Robert Edward TV film
2000 Freedom Song Jonah Summer TV film
2000 Disappearing Acts Mr. Banks TV film
2000, 2003 Judging Amy[6] Judge Henry Bromell Episodes: "Dog Days", "Shock and Awe", "Kilt Trip"
2000–2001 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation[6] Charles Moore Episodes: "Crate 'n' Burial", "Evaluation Day"
2002–2006 Everwood[6] Irv Harper Main role
2006 The Lost Room Gus Episode: "The Comb and the Box"
2007 NCIS Daryl Hardy Episode: "Suspicion"
2007 Boston Legal Det. Walter McKay Episode: "The Chicken and the Leg"
2009 Chasing a Dream Peter Boscow TV film
2010 CSI: Miami Henry Dawson Episode: "Backfire"
2011 Harry's Law Judge Ronald Winston Episode: "Pilot"
2011 Detroit 1-8-7 Joe King Episode: "Beaten/Cover Letter"
2011 Treme[6] Don Encalade Episodes: "Carnival Time", "Can I Change My Mind?", What Is New Orleans?", "Do Watcha Wanna"
2012–2016 The Soul Man Barton Ballentine Main role (season 1), recurring (seasons 2–5)
2017 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Cliff TV film
2017 Shots Fired Mr. Dabney Recurring role
2018 The Resident Mortimer Rosenthal Episode: "Comrades in Arms"
2019 Limetown The Reverend Episodes: "Rake", "Napoleon"
2019 The Mandalorian[6] Bartender Episode: "Chapter One"
2021 Your Honor[5] Elijah Davies Episode: "Part Ten"

See also

References

  1. ^ "John Beasley". The History Makers. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  2. ^ Anderson, Jake (May 30, 2023). "Omaha actor John Beasley dies Tuesday at age of 79". KETV. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Veteran character actor John Beasley, who appeared in the TV drama 'Everwood,' dies at 79". ABC13 Houston. May 31, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d reports, 6 News staff; Worley, Debra (May 31, 2023). "Actor John Beasley of 'Rudy,' 'The Mighty Ducks' dies at 79". WABI 5.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b c d "John Beasley, veteran actor from 'Everwood' and 'The Soul Man,' dies at 79". Los Angeles Times. May 31, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Barnes, Mike (May 31, 2023). "John Beasley, Actor on 'Everwood' and 'The Soul Man,' Dies at 79".
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 28, 2015). "'The Soul Man' Picked Up For Fifth & Final Season By TV Land". Deadline. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  8. ^ Biga, Leo Adam (September 6, 2022). "John Beasley Is Ready for the Role of a Lifetime". AMERICAN THEATRE.
  9. ^ Barnes, Mike. "John Beasley, Actor on 'Everwood' and 'The Soul Man,' Dies at 79". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Lost Souls". Rotten Tomatoes.

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