Papa Rico in the 2014 film 'The Purge: Anarchy'

John Beasley | Biography

Founder and president of the John Beasley Theater

• By Reena Chikanbanjar
• Original : March 10, 2022

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John Beasley is an American actor most recognized as Papa Rico in the 2014 film The Purge: Anarchy.

Who is John Beasley?

John Beasley is a stage-screen actor, stage director, and founder of the John Beasley Theater. The Omaha native initially worked in the mailroom of WFIL-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then became an assistant producer for a local children's program called The World Around Us. 

Beasley became interested in acting after playing a small part in the production of As You Like It at Germantown Theatre in Germantown, Tennessee. He then took acting classes, studied, and completed an internship with actor Don Cheadle in Minnesota. The actor also performed in August Wilson's early Goodman Theatre productions in Chicago. However, he worked as a Union Pacific railroad clerk for seven years before pursuing acting as a full-time career in his mid-40s.

Beasley made his on-screen acting career debut in the 1989 film Rapid Fire, portraying the role of Henchman. The following year, he appeared in the 1990 short-lived television series Brewster Place as Mr. Willie, alongside Oprah Winfrey. 

Since then, he has appeared in over 60 films and television series. Some of his notable film and television series credits include Rudy (1993), The Apostle (1997), The General's Daughter (1999), Everwood (2002-2006), The Sum of All Fears (2002), Walking Tall (2004), and The Purge: Anarchy (2014).

As a stage actor, Beasley played Troy Maxon in August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fences at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C in 2008. 

Beasley's current project includes his work on a couple of upcoming films. First, he will appear in a supporting role in the upcoming sci-fi horror thriller film Firestarter, adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name. It's a science-fiction horror film about a little girl with pyrokinetic abilities who is fleeing with her family from a secret government agency that wants to catch her and use her abilities as a weapon.The movie is scheduled to release on 13 May 2022.

In addition, he will also appear in the upcoming film It Snows All the Time, expected to be released in 2022.

Early Bio and Family

Beasley was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on 26 June 1943. Born to Grace Virginia Triplett and John Wilfred Beasley, he grew up at 24th and Lake in a family with an entrepreneurial spirit. 

His maternal grandfather invented the chili brick for Cuttahee Packing House, and his father was an electrical contractor. His father moved to Chicago, Illinois, following his separation from his mother. 

He attended Omaha Technical High School, where he played football. After finishing high school, he graduated from the University of Omaha in 1968. Later, Beasley received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Nebraska Omaha on 12 August 2005.

The John Beasley Theater

Beasley is the founder and president of the John Beasley Theater, established in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2002. He promotes live theater, primarily works written by or featuring African-Americans at the John Beasley Theater. 

Beasley still resides in his hometown Omaha and teaches and directs at The John Beasley Theater & Workshop at Center Stage. 

Wife

Beasley is married to his wife, Judy Beasley. The couple married in 1965, and they have two sons.