John Ashley (actor)
| John Ashley | |
|---|---|
Ashley in 1962
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| Born |
John Atchley December 25, 1934 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | October 3, 1997 (aged 62) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Will Rogers High School |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1957–1997 |
| Spouse(s) |
Deborah Walley (m. 1964–66) Nancy Moore (m.1966–?) Jan Ashley (m.?–1997, his death) |
| Children | Anthony Ashley, Cole Ashley |
John Ashley (December 25, 1934 – October 3, 1997) was an American actor, producer and singer. He was best known for his work as an actor in films for American International Pictures, producing and acting in horror movies shot in the Philippines, and for producing various television series, including The A-Team.
Born John Atchley, he was reared in Oklahoma and attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa and Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he studied a BA in Economics. While a student, Ashley visited a friend in California and accompanied him to the set of The Conqueror (1956). He was seen by John Wayne who was impressed with the young man's good looks and guided him to a role on TV's Men of Annapolis.
Ashley broke into films when he accompanied a girlfriend to an audition at American International Pictures for a part in Dragstrip Girl (1957). Lou Rusoff asked him if he wanted to audition as well and he ended up getting the part. AIP signed him to a four-picture non-exclusive contract expected to run for two years.
Ashley was a particular favorite of the daughters of James H. Nicholson, one of the main figures at American International Pictures, who always hoped he would become a big star. Ashley unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead in I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957) but appeared in several of AIP's other movies. His second role for the studio, Motorcycle Gang (1957), was almost identical to Dragstrip Girl. By this stage Ashley had been drafted and production was held up until he completed his basic training.
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