John was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and strongly considered becoming a schoolteacher through most of his college years. The impetus to become an actor didn't strike until his senior year at the State University of New York in Albany, when he was cast in a play, "De Donde?," which eventually toured Cincinnati and, later, the New York Shakespeare festival. After his auspicious theatrical debut, his career took off, and today he is a true triple-threat, equally at home on stage, television and in films.

John's TV credits include series regular roles in "Lush Life," as Nelson "Margarita" Marquez, and the pilot "Shadows Ops." He has also guest-starred on "Touched by an Angel," "Law & Order," "Promised Land," "NY Undercover" and "House of Buggin'."

He made his feature film debut in "Carlito's Way," opposite Al Pacino, playing Guajiro, and has appeared in 14 films, including "Amistad," "Ransom," the Merchant/Ivory production "Sidestreets" and "Sgt. Bilko." His most recent work on the big screen was the independent film "The Opportunists," which was released in August, 2000. He has roles in two forthcoming films, "Before Night Falls," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was directed by Julian Schnabel, and "Three A.M." which was executive-produced by Spike Lee.

John's theatrical work includes critically acclaimed performances off-Broadway and in regional theater in works ranging from Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" to Tina Landau's Obie-nominated "Cloud Tectonics." Among the luminaries he has worked with are Anna Deveare Smith, John Patrick Shanley, Jose Rivera and Peter Sellers for the Royal Shakespeare Company. In addition John is one of the founding members, along with Phillip Seymour Hoffman, of LAByrinth Theatre Company in New York. It was created in 1992 as a production company for a multi-disciplinary group of artists from all walks of life, dedicated to exploring issues about New York. The company produces two plays a year which explore New York issues.

A self-described "huge sports fan," John follows the Yankees and Knicks and enjoys traveling in his free time. John resides in New York City.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Birthdate: Nov. 21

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