John Beasley was an actor known for roles in movies and TV shows such as “Rudy,” “Everwood,” and “The Mighty Ducks.”
- Died: May 30, 2023 (Who else died on May 30?)
- Details of death: Died at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 79.
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John Beasley’s legacy
Beasley didn’t begin his professional acting career until he was in his 40s, having worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in his earlier days. He landed a recurring role on the TV series “Brewster Place” in 1990, the beginning of a busy career that lasted three decades. He went on to play recurring characters on “Early Edition,” “Millennium,” “Judging Amy,” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” before accepting a starring role on “Everwood.” He played school bus driver Irv Harper, the show’s narrator. Later, Beasley played Don Encalade on several episodes of “Treme” and starred as Barton Ballentine on “The Soul Man.” He also appeared in the first episode of “The Mandalorian.”
A prolific actor in movies, Beasley had small roles in “V.I. Warshawski” and “The Mighty Ducks” before making a prominent appearance in “Rudy” as Assistant Coach Warren. His many other movies included “Crazy in Alabama,” “The Purge: Anarchy,” and his most recent credit, the 2002 remake of “Firestarter.” Beasley also pursued acting on stage and founded the John Beasley Theater and Workshop in Omaha.
Beasley on his late start as an actor
“When you’re raising a family, it’s more important to have something steady…. I had to dedicate myself to my family, which was more important than anything else.” —from a 2002 interview for the Intelligencer
Tributes to John Beasley
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
