John Terlesky
Biography
John Todd Terlesky is an American actor, film director, television director, and screenwriter who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 30, 1961. Active in film and television since the mid-1980s, he has built a career spanning acting and directing across numerous projects. As an actor, his film credits include Secret Admirer in 1985, Chopping Mall in 1986 where he played Mike, and Deathstalker II in 1987 where he portrayed Deathstalker. His television acting credits feature roles in the NBC drama Legmen, The Facts of Life, V, Our House, Empty Nest, Walker, Texas Ranger, a recurring role on Guns of Paradise, and a co-starring role in the sitcom The Last Frontier.
Career overview
John Todd Terlesky was born on May 30, 1961, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is an American actor, film director, television director, and screenwriter who has worked in film and television since the mid-1980s. As an actor, he is known for playing the role of Deathstalker in the 1987 film Deathstalker II and portraying Mike in Chopping Mall in 1986. His other film acting credits include Secret Admirer in 1985.
Terlesky has also appeared in a number of television series throughout his career. His first notable television role was in the NBC drama Legmen. His additional television acting credits include appearances on The Facts of Life, V, Our House, Empty Nest, and Walker, Texas Ranger. Furthermore, he held a recurring role on Guns of Paradise and co-starred in the sitcom The Last Frontier.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
88 titles- NCIS: Origins (2024) Director
- The Irrational (2023) Director
- Quantum Leap (2022) Director
- The Equalizer (2021) Director
- Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020) Director
- Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020) Executive Producer
- Grand Hotel (2019) Director
- The Rookie (2018) Director
- Gone (2018) Director
- Take Two (2018) Director
- S.W.A.T. (2017) Director
- The Blacklist: Redemption (2017) Director
- The Blacklist: Redemption (2017) Co-Executive Producer
- Timeless (2016) Director
- The Catch (2016) Director
- How to Get Away with Murder (2014) Director
- Finding Carter (2014) Director
- The Blacklist (2013) Director
- Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013) Director
- Revenge (2011) Director
- Body of Proof (2011) Director
- Against the Wall (2011) Director
- Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (2011) Director
- The Glades (2010) Director
- Human Target (2010) Director
- Castle (2009) Director
- Drop Dead Diva (2009) Director
- Eastwick (2009) Director
- Trial by Fire (2008) Director
- Warbirds (2008) Story
- Warbirds (2008) Co-Producer
- Gossip Girl (2007) Director
- Army Wives (2007) Director
- Fire Serpent (2007) Director
- By Appointment Only (2007) Director
- Ugly Betty (2006) Director
- Not My Life (2006) Director
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) Director
- Criminal Minds (2005) Director
- Cerberus (2005) as Willis
- Cerberus (2005) Director
- Cerberus (2005) Writer
- Boston Legal (2004) Director
- Written In Blood (2003) as Guard #2
- Written In Blood (2003) Director
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Larry Van Owen
- Malevolent (2002) Director
- Guardian (2001) Director
- Guardian (2001) Writer
- Chain of Command (2000) Director
- Supreme Sanction (1999) Director
- Supreme Sanction (1999) Screenplay
- Judgment Day (1999) Director
- The Pandora Project (1998) Director
- The Pandora Project (1998) Screenplay
- The Pandora Project (1998) Producer
- The Pandora Project (1998) Story
- Storm Trooper (1998) as Shotgun
- The Last Frontier (1996)
- Vampirella (1996) as Astronaut #2
- Voice from the Grave (1996) as Bill Perkins
- Hard Bounty (1995) as Carver
- All-American Girl (1994) as Tim
- Sirens (1993) as Dan Kelly
- Little Miss Millions (1993) as Randolph Palmer (uncredited)
- Munchie (1992) as Dream Award Presenter (uncredited)
- Grapevine (1992) as Greg
- Battling for Baby (1992) as Phillip
- Crazy People (1990) as Adam Burgess
- Bar Girls (1990) as Gabe Shriver
- When He's Not a Stranger (1989) as Ron Cooper
- Nashville Beat (1989) as Stick
- Damned River (1989) as Carl
- Paradise (1988) as Dakota
- Appointment with Death (1988) as Raymond Boynton
- High Mountain Rangers (1988)
- Longarm (1988) as Deputy US Marshal Custis Long
- Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans (1987) as Deathstalker
- The Allnighter (1987) as C.J.
- Valet Girls (1987) as Archie Lee Samples
- Chopping Mall (1986) as Mike Brennan
- The Naked Cage (1986) as Willy
- Secret Admirer (1985) as Rick
- Consenting Adult (1985) as Pete Roberts
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Vince DeNisco
- Thumbelina (1984) as Flower Court
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Flower Court
- The Facts of Life (1979)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Terlesky best known for?
John Terlesky is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including NCIS: Origins (2024), The Irrational (2023), Quantum Leap (2022), The Equalizer (2021).
When and where was John Terlesky born?
John Terlesky was born on May 30, 1961 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
How many credits does John Terlesky have?
John Terlesky has accumulated over 88 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1979 to 2024.
What is John Terlesky's background in cinema and television?
John Todd Terlesky is an American actor, film director, television director, and screenwriter who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 30, 1961. Active in film and television since the mid-1980s, he has built a career spanning acting and directing across numerous projects. As an actor, his film credits include Secret A...
John Terlesky by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Flower Court — aged about 21
- All-American Girl (1994) as Tim — aged about 33
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Larry Van Owen — aged about 41
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Vince DeNisco — aged about 23
- Grapevine (1992) as Greg — aged about 31
- The Facts of Life (1979) — aged about 18
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