# John Terlesky

John Todd Terlesky (born May 30, 1961) is an American actor, film director, television director and screenwriter. As an actor, he is known for playing Deathstalker in the 1987 film Deathstalker II, and Mike in Chopping Mall (1986).

## Life and career

Terlesky was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 30, 1961. Since the mid-1980s, Terlesky has acted in a number of films and television series. His first notable television role was in the NBC drama Legmen. His other television credits include The Facts of Life, V, Our House, Empty Nest, Walker, Texas Ranger, a recurring role on Guns of Paradise and co-starring in the sitcom The Last Frontier.
Some of Terlesky's film acting credits include Secret Admirer (1985), The Naked Cage (1986), Chopping Mall (1986), Valet Girls (1987), The Allnighter (1987), Deathstalker II (1987), Appointment with Death (1988), Damned River (1989) and Crazy People (1990).
In 1998, Terlesky made his directorial debut with the film The Pandora Project, co-directing with Jim Wynorski. He directed a number of other independent, direct-to-video and television films before getting involved in episodic television. Since 2006, he has directed episodes of Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Drop Dead Diva, Human Target, Army Wives, Body of Proof, Gossip Girl, Castle, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., How To Get Away With Murder, and The Blacklist (TV series).

## Filmography
### Movies

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Secret Admirer | Rick | |
| 1986 | The Naked Cage | Willy | |
| 1986 | Chopping Mall | Mike Brennan | |
| 1987 | Valet Girls | Archie Lee Samples | |
| 1987 | The Allnighter | C.J. | |
| 1987 | Deathstalker II | Deathstalker | Video |
| 1988 | Appointment with Death | Raymond Boynton | |
| 1989 | Damned River | Carl | |
| 1990 | Crazy People | Adam Burgess | |
| 1993 | The Last Job | Father | Short |
| 1993 | Little Miss Millions | Randolph Palmer (uncredited) | |
| 1995 | Hard Bounty | Carver | |
| 1996 | Vampirella | Astronaut #2 | Video |
| 1998 | Storm Trooper | Shotgun | Video |
| 1999 | Judgment Day | Payne's Shooter (uncredited) | Video |
| 2001 | Guardian | Director | |
| 2003 | Written in Blood | Guard #2 | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1984 | Legmen | David Taylor | 6 Episodes |
| 1984 | The Facts of Life | Rich Thompson | 1 Episode, My Boyfriend's Back |
| 1985 | Consenting Adult | Pete Roberts | TV movie |
| 1985 | V | Dead Guy (uncredited) | 1 Episode, The Wildcats |
| 1988 | High Mountain Rangers | Chaz Collins | 1 Episode, Matt's Choice |
| 1988 | Our House | Scott | 2 Episodes |
| 1988 | Longhorn | Deputy US Marshal Custis Long | TV movie |
| 1989 | Nightingales | Phillip Danlow | 4 Episodes |
| 1989 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Frank Cabell | 1 Episode, Curse of the Corn People |
| 1989 | Nashville Beat | 'Stick' | TV movie |
| 1989 | When He's Not a Stranger | Ron Cooper | TV movie |
| 1989 | The Famous Teddy Z | Ryan Lane | 1 Episode, Teddy Gets a House Guest |
| 1990 | The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage | Chris Male nurse | TV movie |
| 1990 | Bar Girls | Gabe Shriver | TV movie |
| 1990 | Empty Nest | Bucky Barnes | 1 Episode, There's No Accounting |
| 1991 | Paradise | Dakota | 13 Episodes |
| 1992 | Battling for Baby | Phillip | TV movie |
| 1992 | Grapevine | Greg | 1 Episode, The Katie and Adam Story |
| 1993 | Sirens | Officer #1 Dan Kelly | |
| 1995 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Pete Battle | 1 Episode, Mean Streets |
| 1995 | All-American Girl | Tim | 1 Episode, Young Americans |
| 1996 | Murder, She Wrote | Vince DeNisco | 1 Episode, Murder Among Friends |
| 1996 | Voice from the Grave | Bill Perkins | TV movie |
| 1996 | The Last Frontier | Reed Garfield | 6 Episodes |
| 2005 | Cerberus | Willis (uncredited) | TV movie |
| 2005 | CSI: Miami | Larry Van Owen | 1 Episode, Nothing to Lose |
| 2021 | Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist | Director | 4 episodes |
| 2021 | The Blacklist | Director | episode #172: "Godwin Page" |
| 2023–2024 | The Irrational | Director | 2 episodes |

## Personal life

Terlesky is married to actress Jayne Brook.