JOHN DEYLE

DEYLE--John E. John Deyle, a familiar face on Broadway and a prolific television commercial actor, died at his home in Mount Kisco, NY, on June 22, 2023, of esophageal cancer. He was 68. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, he attended Irondequoit High School and received a BFA from University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 1976. After graduation he moved to New York City and in early 1979 made his Broadway debut in the original production of Annie featuring Sarah Jessica Parker in the title role. (John played Louis Howe, Fred McCracken, and Bert Healy.) Other Broadway credits include the 1980 revival of Camelot starring Richard Burton, Footloose, and the entire run of Urinetown (Senator Fipp). Off-Broadway he starred as Frankie Cavalier in Pageant and was Hucklebee in the 2006 revival of The Fantasticks. He also worked at several regional theaters and was Bert Bratt in the 1996 national tour of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. TV credits include Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien (recurring role of Mr. Science). For thirty years beginning in the 1980s he was seen in more than 100 TV commercials as a spokes person for everything from Skippy Peanut Butter to Hoover vacuum cleaners, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, and Just for Men Hair Color. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Rebecca Paller, their son, Oleg, and his sister Kathryn Legawiec, as well as an extended family and many close friends.