Wednesday 29 October 2014

Meet John Pappas: The Renaissance Actor

By Dominique Martin


He is not a household name, but this actor has been in numerous television shows and movies over the span of his forty-five plus year career. Chances are you have witnessed John Pappas acting on at least one occasion. Regardless of the familiarity of his face, walking past him on the street would likely go unnoticed. Passers-by may look at him and think they know him. They just do not know how or where they have seen him before.

He was born in Oakland, but made his way to Southern California after finishing college at San Francisco State University. He made his way to Hollywood, the city that has the best job opportunities for actors. History has shown that he found plenty of acting jobs.

He is a man of many talents. He made appearances in just about every popular show of 1980s from detective dramas to sitcoms. In the 1970s he also performed as a stand-up comic making appearance on the well-known daytime talk shows of the era.

He also distinguished himself with his work in the theater. He was a playwright, a director and an actor, all at the same time. In all aspects of the performing arts he has proved himself a worthy player. Very few actors achieve the success that Pappas has on such a wide spectrum of the performing arts.

He is known for playing small roles that are pivotal to the story line. His versatility provided the opportunities to get the acting jobs he wanted. He has not been the star that eclipses everyone else, but he has been the star that shines clear and constant.

He made many guest appearances on one of the longest running soap operas of all time. He also has a long stint, twenty-two years, as a regular in the same soap opera. Most fans did not recognize him from one role to the next. He played his character, rather than playing himself.

He did stand up comedy alone and, at times, with a partner. The routines were funny and lighthearted. Nobody got their feelings got hurt. It was good family viewing that the entire family could watch together without fear of upsetting the little ones.

Surprisingly, in addition to acting, writing, directing and comedy, Pappas is also a talented artist. He has had many showings in art galleries. Many of his paintings have been purchased privately and hang in private homes across the continent.

He is not the only character actor who became successful without being a household name. Super stardom may have been elusive, but steady work and good life have not. He and his wife live in Long Beach, California and are part of that artistic community. The couple are devoted to their two Golden Retrievers, who are sometimes the muse for his paintings. Fully developing all facets of his creativity and staying happily married to his first wife are characteristics of a Renaissance man. Hurray for you, sir.




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