John Wesley Shipp
Biography
John Wesley Shipp is a European-American actor known for his various television roles. He was born on January 22, 1955, in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Shipp has played the lead Barry Allen on CBS's superhero series The Flash from 1990 to 1991, and Mitch Leery, the title character's father, on the drama series Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2001. He has also appeared in daytime soap operas, including Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 2014, he was cast as Barry Allen's father Henry on the current The Flash series on The CW network. Shipp has a career spanning multiple television shows and has earned a reputation as a versatile actor.
Career overview
John Wesley Shipp is an actor known for his various television roles. He played the lead Barry Allen on CBS's superhero series The Flash from 1990 to 1991. Shipp has also appeared in daytime soap operas, including Guiding Light, where he played the role of Kelly Nelson from 1980 to 1984. He later played Douglas Cummings on As the World Turns from 1985 to 1986.
In addition to his work on The Flash, Shipp played Mitch Leery, the title character's father, on the drama series Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2001. He has also been cast as Barry Allen's father, Henry, on the current The Flash series on The CW network, starting in 2014. Throughout his career, Shipp has accumulated a significant number of acting credits, with a total of 44 known credits.
Shipp's acting career spans multiple decades and various genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor. His work on popular television series has made him a recognizable figure in the entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Scallop Season (2026) as Anton Lerner
- The Flash: Saga of the Scarlet Speedster (2023) as Self
- DC's Stargirl (2020) as Jay Garrick / The Flash
- Ruby Herring Mysteries: Her Last Breath (2019) as John Herring
- Night Sweats (2019) as Nick Frankenthaler
- The Sector (2016) as Stillwell
- Supergirl (2015) as Barry Allen / The Flash (Earth 90)
- Supergirl (2015) as Barry Allen / The Flash (Earth 90) (archive footage)
- Blindspot (2015) as Dr. Katz
- Golden Shoes (2015) as The President of the United States
- Sensory Perception (2015) as Lt. Thawne
- The Flash (2014) as Henry Allen
- The Flash (2014) as Jay Garrick / The Flash
- The Flash (2014) as Barry Allen / The Flash (Earth 90)
- Arrow (2012) as Barry Allen / The Flash (Earth 90)
- Hell and Mr Fudge (2012) as Bennie Lee Fudge
- Teen Wolf (2011) as Mr. Lahey
- Separation Anxiety (2010) as Mr. Palmer
- Drop Dead Diva (2009) as Doug Bailey
- Port City (2009) as George
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008) as Professor Zoom (voice)
- Karma Police (2008) as Barrington Freeman
- Christie's Revenge (2007) as Ray Colton
- The Closer (2005) as Chris Conroy
- Starcrossed (2005) as Father
- CSI: NY (2004) as Patrick Quinn
- Second to Die (2002) as Jim
- Road Rage (1999) as Jim Carson
- Dawson's Creek (1998) as Mitch Leery
- Lost Treasure of Dos Santos (1997) as Jack
- Strangers (1996) as Jack
- Deadly Web (1996) as Dr. Stanton
- JAG (1995) as Marcus Sutter
- JAG (1995) as Granger
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Coach Peter Shotwell
- Soft Deceit (1995) as John Hobart
- Green Dolphin Beat (1994) as Terry Lattner
- The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade (1992) as Barry Allen / The Flash
- Sisters (1991) as Lucky Williams
- Baby of the Bride (1991) as Dennis
- The Flash II: Revenge of the Trickster (1991) as Barry Allen / The Flash
- The Danger Team (1991) as Spex (voice)
- The Flash (1990) as Barry Allen / Flash
- The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990) as Barney
- The Flash (1990) as Barry Allen / The Flash
- Prisoners of Gravity (1989) as Self
- Summer Fantasy (1984) as Callahan
- Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self - Guest