John Wesley (actor)

John Wesley
Publicity Photo of John Wesley
Born(1947-08-03)August 3, 1947
Lake Charles, Louisiana
DiedSeptember 7, 2019(2019-09-07) (aged 72)
OccupationActor
Years active1968–2019

John Wesley (August 3, 1947 – September 7, 2019) was an American actor who worked in many television series, including The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and in Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad, where he played the role of Principal Pratchert.[1] He also had roles in many feature films as well as theater productions.

He was Mr. Jim on the series Martin for 3 seasons, and was the series regular "Sweets Walker" on Dirty Dancing, the television series. He has also appeared in numerous commercials and voiceovers including "Rafaki". His first main film role was as Frankie in Missing in Action 2: The Beginning starring Chuck Norris but his first credited film role was in the 1968 Clint Eastwood western Hang 'Em High. Wesley was also an award-winning stage actor and a Vietnam veteran.[1][2][3]

Wesley earned degrees from the University of California, San Diego graduate acting program and the University of San Diego.[4]

Wesley died on September 7, 2019, from complications of multiple myeloma, five weeks after his 72nd birthday.[5][4]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1968 Hang 'Em High Guard #3
1968 Uptight Larry
1975 Bogard Ira
1985 Missing in Action 2: The Beginning Frankie
1985 Perfect Eddie
1986 Let's Get Harry Mercenary #4
1987 Nuts Holding Cell Guard
1988 Moving Roy Hendersen
1988 Jack's Back Sam Hilliard
1989 Out Cold Cop #2
1991 Nothing but Trouble Sam
1991 Raw Nerve The Band - New Power
1992 Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot Tony
1993 Born Yesterday Sen. Welch
1994 The Little Rascals Amish Man #2
1998 I Got the Hook Up Minister
1999 The Wood Police Officer
2002 13th Child Jones
2006 World Trade Center Al Smith
2009 The Twenty George
2010 Beneath the Blue Doctor
2012 The Undershepherd Steven Parker
2016 The Midnighters Chester
2018 Holly Day Jerry

References

  1. ^ a b "John Wesley Facts, information, pictures - Encyclopedia.com articles about John Wesley". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  2. ^ "John Wesley - Goodman Theatre". www.goodmantheatre.org. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  3. ^ Riggs, Thomas (2008). Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television 2009. Cengage Gale. ISBN 9780787690496.
  4. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (2019-09-08). "'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' Actor John Wesley Dies at 72". Variety. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  5. ^ "John Wesley, 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air actor, dies at 72". CNN. 9 September 2019. Retrieved Sep 10, 2019.