ohn Beasley, a beloved actor known for his roles in the WB series “Everwood” and the 2004 film “Walking Tall” alongside The Rock, sadly passed away at the age of 79. The news was confirmed by his son, who shared the heartbreaking update on Tuesday.
No specific cause of death was mentioned in the announcement.
Expressing his profound grief on Facebook, his son Michael wrote, “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.”
John Beasley, recognized by movie and TV enthusiasts for his remarkable talent over the past three decades, embarked on his professional acting journey later in life, in his forties.
Beasley’s son beautifully described his father as his “best friend” and his hero in a heartfelt message.
Apart from his notable role in “Everwood,” John Beasley appeared in various sports-themed movies, including “The Mighty Ducks,” “Little Big League,” and made a memorable appearance as a Notre Dame assistant football coach in the inspirational film “Rudy” in 1993.
One of his significant breakthroughs was his role in the critically acclaimed 1997 drama “The Apostle,” where he starred alongside Robert Duvall as a retired preacher.
In addition to his accomplishments on the big screen, John Beasley established the John Beasley Theater & Workshop in Omaha, Nebraska, during the early 2000s. He also held a prominent role on the sitcom “The Soul Man,” created by Cedric The Entertainer.
In recent years, he made appearances in notable productions such as “The Purge: Anarchy” and the first episode of “The Mandalorian.”
Tragically, Beasley’s career was temporarily halted due to a severe case of COVID-19, which forced him to step back from his role in a Chicago production of “The Notebook” in 2022.
His contributions and impact were recognized when he was honored as a Legends recipient at the Empowerment Network’s African-American Leadership Conference in 2020.
John Beasley is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Judy, and their two sons, Mike and Tyrone. His grandson Malik has also made a name for himself as a professional basketball player in the NBA.
The entertainment industry has lost a true legend, and John Beasley’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
