
John Terlesky
DirectingAbout John Terlesky
John Todd Terlesky (born May 30, 1961) is an American actor, film director, television director and screenwriter. As an actor, he is known for playing Deathstalker in the 1987 film Deathstalker II, and Mike in Chopping Mall (1986). Terlesky was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 30, 1961. Since the mid-1980s, Terlesky has acted in a number of films and television series. His first notable television role was in the NBC drama Legmen. His other television credits include The Facts of Life, V, Our House, Empty Nest, Walker, Texas Ranger, a recurring role on Guns of Paradise and co-starring in the sitcom The Last Frontier. Some of Terlesky's film acting credits include Secret Admirer (1985), The Naked Cage (1986), Chopping Mall (1986), Valet Girls (1987), The Allnighter (1987), Deathstalker II (1987), Appointment with Death (1988), Damned River (1989) and Crazy People (1990). In 1998, Terlesky made his directorial debut with the film The Pandora Project, co-directing with Jim Wynorski. He directed a number of other independent, direct-to-video and television films before getting involved in episodic television. Since 2006, he has directed episodes of Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Drop Dead Diva, Human Target, Army Wives, Body of Proof, Gossip Girl, Castle, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., How To Get Away With Murder, and The Blacklist (TV series).
John Terlesky Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of John Terlesky reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 24 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of John Terlesky's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 4% of John Terlesky's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Secret Admirer, which stands out as a key performance.
Best John Terlesky Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Terlesky's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie John Terlesky has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Cerberus | Willis | Flop | Similar → |
| 2003 | Written In Blood | Guard #2 | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Storm Trooper | Shotgun | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | Vampirella | Astronaut #2 | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | Voice from the Grave | Bill Perkins | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Hard Bounty | Carver | Flop | Similar → |
| 1993 | Little Miss Millions | Randolph Palmer (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1992 | Munchie | Dream Award Presenter (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1992 | Battling for Baby | Phillip | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | Bar Girls | Gabe Shriver | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | Crazy People | Adam Burgess | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | When He's Not a Stranger | Ron Cooper | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Nashville Beat | Stick | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Damned River | Carl | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Appointment with Death | Raymond Boynton | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Longarm | Deputy US Marshal Custis Long | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans | Deathstalker | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Allnighter | C.J. | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | Valet Girls | Archie Lee Samples | Flop | Similar → |
| 1986 | Chopping Mall | Mike Brennan | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Naked Cage | Willy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | Secret Admirer | Rick | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Consenting Adult | Pete Roberts | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Thumbelina | Flower Court | Average | Similar → |
John Terlesky - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Terlesky?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Terlesky is "Secret Admirer" with a rating of 6.7/10.
How many movies has John Terlesky acted in?
John Terlesky has been featured in at least 24 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Terlesky?
Other notable films include "Appointment with Death", "Thumbelina", and "Crazy People".




