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.

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, The Blacklist (TV series), and Criminal Minds.

Filmography

Movies

Year Title Role Notes 1985 Secret Admirer Rick 1986 The Naked Cage Willy Chopping Mall Mike Brennan 1987 Valet Girls Archie Lee Samples The Allnighter C.J. 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 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

YearTitleRole Notes 1984 Legmen David Taylor 6 Episodes The Facts of Life Rich Thompson 1 Episode, My Boyfriend's Back 1985 Consenting Adult Pete Roberts TV movie V Dead Guy (uncredited) 1 Episode, The Wildcats 1988 High Mountain Rangers Chaz Collins 1 Episode, Matt's Choice Our House Scott 2 Episodes Longarm Deputy US Marshal Custis Long TV movie 1989 Nightingales Phillip Danlow 4 Episodes CBS Summer Playhouse Frank Cabell 1 Episode, Curse of the Corn People Nashville Beat 'Stick' TV movie When He's Not a Stranger Ron Cooper TV movie 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 Bar Girls Gabe Shriver TV movie Empty Nest Bucky Barnes 1 Episode, There's No Accounting 1991 Paradise Dakota 13 Episodes 1992 Battling for Baby Phillip TV movie 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 All-American Girl Tim 1 Episode, Young Americans 1996 Murder, She Wrote Vince DeNisco 1 Episode, Murder Among Friends Voice from the Grave Bill Perkins TV movie The Last Frontier Reed Garfield 6 Episodes 2005 Cerberus Willis (uncredited) TV movie CSI: Miami Larry Van Owen 1 Episode, Nothing to Lose 2021 Zoey's Extraordinary PlaylistDirector 4 episodes The Blacklist episode #172: "Godwin Page" 2023–2024 The Irrational 2 episodes 2025 The Rookie Episode: "The Return"

Personal life Terlesky is married to actress Jayne Brook.