Deadline reports that John Beasley (The Mandalorian, Shots Fired), best known for his roles in television shows The Soul Man and Everwood, has died at the age of 79. His son, Mike, posted on Facebook honoring his father. The post is attached below.
It reads, “Man…you know this is a part of life…but that doesn’t make it any easier. I lost my best friend today. They say you shouldn’t ever meet your heroes because they don’t turn out to be who you thought they were. That is so wrong. My hero was my father. Thank you for everything. I hope I made you proud. Love you more.”
Beasley was born on June 26, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska and he did not start acting until he was in his 40s. His first film credits include V.I. Warshawski in 1991 starring Kathleen Turner (The War of the Roses, Romancing the Stone) and Angela Goethals (Phenom, Heartbreak Hotel), The Mighty Ducks in 1992 starring Emilio Estevez (The Outsiders, The Breakfast Club) and Joshua Jackson (Dawson’s Creek, Fringe), and Rudy in 1993 starring Sean Asten (The Goonies, Stranger Things) and Jon Favreau (Iron Man, The Mandalorian).
His first television show credits include Brewster Place in 1990 starring Olivia Cole (Heroes, Something About Amelia) and Brenda Pressley (Detachment, 16 Blocks), Lucky Day in 1991 starring Crispin Glover (Charlie’s Angels, River’s Edge) and Luke Bracey (Holidate, Point Break), and Laurel Avenue in 1993 starring Malinda Williams (Soul Food, The Wood) and Mary Alice (The Matrix Revolutions, To Sleep with Anger).
Beasley’s first main role in a TV series was in Greg Berlanti’s (You, The Flash) Everwood on The WB which aired on September 16, 2002. The series starred Gregory Smith (Small Soldiers, Rookie Blue) and Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation, The Terminal List). Beasley played Irv Harper throughout the series’ four seasons.
Beasley was also a lead cast member of The Soul Man on TV Land created by Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood, The Steve Harvey Show) and Suzanne Martin (Maybe It’s Me, Fraiser). The Soul Man starred Niecy Nash (Claws, Scream Queens) and Wesley Jonathon (City Guys, What I Like About You).