Actor. A versatile presenter of historical characters, he is best remembered for his portrayal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Raised in the Washington suburbs by a family who were pioneers in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, he initially studied drama at the University of Arizona, then worked in archaeology at Colonial Williamsburg where he was instrumental in the excavation of numerous sites including the Public Hospital and Wolstenholme Towne. Branching out into administration, he was the longtime director of Education and Evening Programs while also manifesting a talent for acting. He was to earn praise as Benjamin Franklin, Reverend W.A.R. Goodwin, and, especially FDR, whom he took to packed audiences throughout the country. John also was seen many times on the big and small screens, his credits including Walpole in 1999's "Washington: Man and Myth," John Hancock in "The April Conspiracy" (2001), Mr. Drummond in 2002's "In the General's Secret Service," Ben Franklin in the 2007 "Founders or Traitors," and Justice Weems in 2009's "The Rights of Youth." He retired in 2012 but continued his appearances as FDR until his sudden death from a pulmonary embolus; many of his performances are preserved on DVD.
Actor. A versatile presenter of historical characters, he is best remembered for his portrayal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Raised in the Washington suburbs by a family who were pioneers in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, he initially studied drama at the University of Arizona, then worked in archaeology at Colonial Williamsburg where he was instrumental in the excavation of numerous sites including the Public Hospital and Wolstenholme Towne. Branching out into administration, he was the longtime director of Education and Evening Programs while also manifesting a talent for acting. He was to earn praise as Benjamin Franklin, Reverend W.A.R. Goodwin, and, especially FDR, whom he took to packed audiences throughout the country. John also was seen many times on the big and small screens, his credits including Walpole in 1999's "Washington: Man and Myth," John Hancock in "The April Conspiracy" (2001), Mr. Drummond in 2002's "In the General's Secret Service," Ben Franklin in the 2007 "Founders or Traitors," and Justice Weems in 2009's "The Rights of Youth." He retired in 2012 but continued his appearances as FDR until his sudden death from a pulmonary embolus; many of his performances are preserved on DVD.
Bio by: Ola K Ase
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