John O'Hurley

John O'Hurley

Award-winning actor John O’Hurley has catapulted into television’s busiest and most versatile actor/show host, advertising hero and feature film star. O’Hurley is best known as “J. Peterman” on “Seinfeld” which is now the #1 syndicated show in the world and can be seen in 85 countries. John won a Screen Actors Guild Award for “Best Ensemble” for his work on “Seinfeld.” It was O’Hurley’s unique portrayal of the wry and witty “J. Peterman” that led to dozens of advertising campaigns for companies such as Xerox and The Travel Channel, earning him multiple advertising and marketing industry awards. John reappeared in prime time in 2005, capturing America’s heart with his turn on Season 1 of “Dancing with the Stars,” where he officially won the series with the highly contested “Dance Off.” After a two-year stint hosting “To Tell The Truth” and a three year stint hosting USA’s “Get Golf with the PGA TOUR”, O’Hurley is now the regular host of NBC Sports highest rated yearly show, “The National Dog Show presented by Purina,” a Thanksgiving tradition to 22 million viewers. He has also recently assumed the role as host of the long time popular game show “Family Feud,” now in it’s 30th anniversary year. In addition, life imitates art for John as John is now the business partner and part owner of the J. Peterman Company, along with the real J. Peterman!

John’s career in television includes ABC’s “Over the Top,” opposite Annie Potts and Tim Curry; ABC’s “A Whole New Ballgame”, NBC’s “The Weber Show,” and CBS’ “Scorch.” Most recently John has starred in UPN’s “The Mullets,” and NBC’s “Father of the Pride.” O’Hurley has also guest starred on more than 50 television shows including “Frasier,” “The X Files,” and “Melrose Place.” He has also appeared in several television movies including “Life of the Party” opposite Ann Margaret, and “The Murder of Thelma Todd” with Loni Anderson.

In film, John most recently appeared in Jessica Simpson’s “Employee of the Month.” He has starred in “Race to Space” opposite Val Kilmer . Currently, he is producing “The Richard Petty Story,” alongside Dan Halsted (“Any Given Sunday”), about the legendary race car driver. Dennis Quaid is attached to the project. John is also working on the film version of the New York Times’ bestseller “Ahab’s Wife.”

John lends his voice to several of America’s most popular cartoons. He is currently playing King Neptune in “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Captain Star Johnson in “Duck Dodgers,” King Wallace II in “Kim Possible” and soon will be appearing as Santa Claus in “Holidaze”. John has worked on “What’s New Scooby Doo?,” “Lloyd in Space,” and “Family Guy.”

O’Hurley was born in Kittery, Maine but his career began in West Hartford, CT. At a very young age, he remembers dressing in a swimsuit, homemade oxygen tank and goggles to watch episodes of the “Sea Hunt” television series imitating his childhood idol Lloyd Bridges. “From that point on, acting was in my blood”, says John. Years later, John received his theater degree from Providence College in Providence, RI. John was the only graduating senior in the Theater Department that year, he jokingly recalls, thereby winning the theater award.

John’s television career initially began as a 12-year veteran of daytime television. His daytime shows include “The Young and the Restless,” “All my Children,” “Loving,” “Santa Barbara,” and “The Edge of Night.”

Outside of television and feature films, O’Hurley is also an accomplished stage actor. He most recently appeared in the Broadway and US Tour versions of “Chicago” playing Billy Flynn. He’s also starred in the national tours of “Pirates of Penzance,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “Brigadoon” and “Same Time Next Year” opposite Loretta Swit.

John is also quite fluent in the world of business. Aside from being part owner of the J. Peterman Company, he is also the principal partner in two venture capital companies, Round One Investments, in Beverly Hills, and Heritage Capital Investments in Atlanta, GA.

When not performing, John maintains a single digit handicap in golf, playing on the Celebrity Players Tour, as well as in other key events like the BMW Charity Pro-Am and the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Additionally, he lends his name and time to help charities close to his heart, namely, Golfers Against Cancer. O’Hurley enjoys spending free time with his wife of over 2 years, Lisa (also a single digit handicap) traveling, playing with their dogs (Betty and Scoshi), cheering for the Boston Red Sox and awaiting the birth of their first child, due in December 2006.

John O'Hurley Official Site