Fan-Favorite Actor John Beasley Dead At 79
The Sum of All Fears and Rudy actor John Beasley has passed away.
John Beasley, known for his memorable performances in popular television shows like Everwood and The Soul Man, has died at the age of 79. The actor succumbed to illness in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, on May 30. He passed away in a local hospital after his health deteriorated while undergoing liver testing.
His son, Mike Beasley, shared a heartfelt message honoring his late father via Deadline. “You know this is a part of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I lost my best friend today,” he wrote. “They say you shouldn’t ever meet your heroes because they don’t turn out to be who you thought they were. That is so wrong. My hero was my father. Thank you for everything. I hope I made you proud. Love you more.”
Born on June 26, 1943, John Beasley embarked on his remarkable acting career in his 40s. He made his initial mark in the industry with notable appearances in early 90s movies like V.I. Warshawski, The Mighty Ducks, Rudy, Untamed Heart, and Little Big League. Additionally, he showcased his talent on television in shows like Brewster Place, Lucky Day, and Laurel Avenue.
John Beasley’s breakthrough in television came with his role as Irv Harper in Greg Berlanti’s acclaimed series Everwood. He portrayed the character throughout its four-season run. The actor further solidified his television presence as a main cast member in The Soul Man, a sitcom created by Suzanne Martin and featuring the comedic prowess of Cedric the Entertainer.
Over the years, John Beasley amassed an impressive array of credits in various movies and television shows. His versatile talent was showcased in Judging Amy, Early Edition, Boston Legal, CSI, The Resident, and even the widely acclaimed Star Wars spin-off, The Mandalorian. His film appearances include The General’s Daughter, The Sum of All Fears, The Purge: Anarchy, and 2022’s Firestarter.
More recently, John Beasley took the stage in Chicago, captivating audiences in the Broadway-bound musical adaptation of The Notebook. The production is based on the cherished 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks and the acclaimed 2004 film starring James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Ryan Gosling, and Rachel McAdams.
John Beasley portrayed an older Noah and eagerly anticipated his journey to New York in August to participate in the musical’s workshop as producers finalized the theater selection. “To be a working artist is the highest calling, and I appreciate wherever it takes me,” he said in a 2022 interview. “If I never got to Broadway, I would still feel I’ve had a pretty successful career.”
In addition to his on-stage achievements, John Beasley made a lasting impact in his hometown of Omaha, where he founded the esteemed John Beasley Theater and Workshop. The program ran successfully for an impressive 13 years. “We changed the lives of a lot of people just through the theater,” he said in 2020.
John Beasley is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy; his sons Tyrone and Mike; daughter-in-law Katie, and grandchildren Evan, Miles, Olivia, Mika, Darius, and Malik Beasley. He will be missed by fans everywhere.
