John Beasley (actor)

American actor (1943–2023)

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 Apostle (1997), 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.

Beasley was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 26, 1943. He did not begin his acting career until his mid 40s. Prior to that he was a railroad man with the Union Pacific Railroad. He established the John Beasley Theater and Workshop in South Omaha, and he would remain working there for nearly a dozen years. Beasley played General Lasseter in The Sum of All Fears and Reverend C. Charles Blackwell in The Apostle. In 1992, he played Jesse and Terry Hall's father in The Mighty Ducks. 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. He also appeared in the TV Land sitcom The Soul Man, which aired its fifth and final season in 2016. Beasley also claimed that even if he had not made it to Broadway, he would still would've had a successful career.

Beasley married Judy Beasley, and would remain her husband for nearly sixty years, until his death.

Year Title Role Notes1991V. I. WarshawskiMike Smythe2000Albert Hawkins2002Gen. Lasseter2004Walking TallChris Vaughn Sr.2014Papa Rico Sanchez2015I'll See You in My DreamsMike2015Sinister 2Father Rodriguez 2019 The Turkey Bowl Judge Tibbins 2020 CowboysBen the Friendly Ranger 2020 SpellEarl 2022 FirestarterIrv Manders

Year Title Role Notes1990Brewster PlaceMr. WillieEpisodes: "Open for Business", "Spring Fever", "Whatever Happened to Patience Jones", "Bernice Sands Comes Home"1993Laurel AvenueMr. ColemanTV miniseries1997To Sir, with Love IIOgdenEpisode: "Pilot"1998Early EditionCapt. Leon HainesEpisodes: "A Minor Miracle", "The Quality of Mercy"1999MillenniumJames Edward HollisEpisodes: "Darwin's Eye", "Via Dolorosa", "Goodbye to All That"1999A. T. F. Sec. Robert EdwardTV film2000Freedom SongJonah SummerTV film2000Disappearing ActsMr. BanksTV film2000, 2003Judging AmyJudge Henry BromellEpisodes: "Dog Days", "Shock and Awe", "Kilt Trip"2000–2001CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCharles MooreEpisodes: "Crate 'n' Burial", "Evaluation Day"2002–2006EverwoodIrv HarperMain role2006GusEpisode: "The Comb and the Box"2007NCISDaryl HardyEpisode: "Suspicion"2007Boston LegalDet. Walter McKayEpisode: "The Chicken and the Leg"2009Chasing a DreamPeter BoscowTV film2010CSI: MiamiHenry DawsonEpisode: "Backfire"2011Harry's LawJudge Ronald WinstonEpisode: "Pilot"2011Detroit 1 8 7Joe KingEpisode: "Beaten/Cover Letter"2011TremeDon EncaladeEpisodes: "Carnival Time", "Can I Change My Mind? ", What Is New Orleans? ", "Do Watcha Wanna"2012–2016Barton BallentineMain role (season 1), recurring (seasons 2–5)2017CliffTV film2017Shots FiredMr. DabneyRecurring role2018Mortimer RosenthalEpisode: "Comrades in Arms"2019LimetownThe ReverendEpisodes: "Rake", "Napoleon"2019The MandalorianBartenderEpisode: "Chapter One"2021Your HonorElijah DaviesEpisode: "Part Ten"