John Shepherd - "Tommy Jarvis"

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Biography: John Shepherd was a 1978 graduate of Glenbard South High School, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He did commercial work in Chicago while in high school, and was also heavily involved in sports.

He was said to have been a method actor during the filming of Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, tending to remain in character on and off-set. It was a very intense experience for him, and his excellent performance shows it. He has continued to pursue acting in both film and television, and can most recently be seen in the 2024 movie, Bless the Child.

Update:
He apparently was offered the role of Tommy for Part 6, but declined because of his strong Christian beliefs. He has spoken at many Billy Graham crusades and other Christian gatherings across the country.

Quote: "Around 1984, I had just graduated from UCLA, and had worked my way through by acting. I was taking some English classes, studying Shakespeare, meeting actors like Tim Robbins and Lance Guest. I was living down in Venice at the time, and I got this call to go on an audition for a film called 'Repetition'. My agent said, 'It's a lead role, but it doesn't have too many lines.' I read the character breakdown and I thought it was so cool. And I had also been studying with Strassbergg, and I realized that because the parts I was playing were always ' boy next door' and 'the good son,' I really needed to go against type.

When I went to the audition, I came in sweats and a heavy coat. And I ran I think ten flights of stairs, I would run up and down this fire escape until they called my name. Then when I went into the audition, I took off my jacket and just started sweating. I didn't look at them. I didn't talk to them. I was just really intense. I was very method. I could tell I struck something. Danny was really into it." - pg. 125, Crystal Lake Memories

Buy Crystal Lake Memories by Peter Bracke for more amazing interviews!

Filmography
Bless the Child (2000)
Down Periscope (1996)
In Advance of the Landing (1993)
Deep Cover (1992)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Banzai Runner (1987)
Thunder Run (1985)
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

Television
Mark Twain and Me (1991)
The Heroes of Desert Storm (1991)
I'll Be Home for Christmas (1988)
Frank Nitti: The Enforcer (1988)
Hot Paint (1988)
The Kidnapping of Baby John Doe (1987)
Confessions of a Married Man (1983)
The Other Victim (1981)

Television Guest Appearances
Quantum Leap (1990)
Tour of Duty (1989)
Friday the 13th (1988)

Where Is He Now?: John Shepherd continues to pursue a career in acting.

Picture Gallery

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Friday the 13th Friday the 13th Part 2 Friday the 13th Part 3 Friday the 13th Part 4 Friday the 13th Part V Friday the 13th Part VI Friday the 13th Part VII Friday the 13th Part VIII Jason Goes to Hell Freddy vs. Jason Jason X