One of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive,” John O'Hurley has catapulted into television’s busiest and most versatile actor, show host, advertising hero, and feature film star.
The award-winning actor is best known as "J. Peterman" on "Seinfeld," which is now the #1 syndicated series in the world in 85 countries. He danced his way into the hearts of America as the ultimate champion of the highly rated ABC show “Dancing with the Stars,” and then starred on Broadway in Chicago, as the male lead “Billy Flynn,” opposite Robin Givens. O’Hurley is now starring as the head of the Round Table, King Author, in Eric Idle’s hilarious musical comedy “Monty Python’s Spamalot” in Las Vegas at the Grail Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel. He is the face of the popular syndicated show “Family Feud” and Dick Clark’s “TV’s Funniest Bloopers.” To follow up his New York Times Bestseller called “It’s OK to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons Learned from Dogs,” O’Hurley will release his second bo ok, “Before Your Dog Can Eat Your Homework, First You Have To Do It” in October 2007! He also released “Dance with John and Charlotte,” a three-part instructional dance DVD that he made with his “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Charlotte, which is available on his website at www.johnohurley.com. O’Hurley has a CD called “Peace of Our Minds,” a collaboration of piano and cello compositions by O’Hurley and world renowned cellist Marston which sold out in 8 MINUTES on QVC and is a nationwide bestseller. “Peace of Our Minds” is also the first completely independently produced CD to ever reach #13 on the Billboard Music charts. It is available on O’Hurley’s website www.johnohurley.com and at CDBaby.com.
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, M & M’s, Progressive Insurance and The Travel Channel, earning him multiple advertising and marketing industry awards. O’Hurley also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for "Best Ensemble" for his work on "Seinfeld." After a two-year stint hosting "To Tell The Truth" and a three-year stint hosting USA network's "Get Golf with the PGA TOUR", O'Hurley is now the regular host of NBC's "The National Dog Show presented by Purina," a Thanksgiving tradition to 21 million viewers. O'Hurley returned to prime time television twice within the last two years, once as Roger Heidecker on UPN's "The Mullets" opposite Loni Anderson, and as Blake, the white tiger on NBC's "Father of the Pride."
John is a savvy business man as well. Life truly imitates art for him, as he is John Peterman's (the real J. Peterman) business partner and part owner of the J. Peterman Company!
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's "Scorch." O'Hurley’s more than 50 guest starring roles include appearances on "Murder She Wrote," "Frasier," "The X Files," and "Melrose Place." O'Hurley has appeared in several television movies including "Life of the Party" opposite Ann Margaret, "Inner Sanctum" opposite Victoria Principal, "Murder of Thelma Todd" with Loni Anderson and "Blood on Her Hands" with Susan Lucci.
In film, O'Hurley starred in "Race to Space" opposite James Woods and "Billy the Kid" with Val Kilmer. Currently, he is producing "The Richard Petty Story", along with Dan Halsted ("Any Given Sunday"), about the legendary race car driver. Dennis Quaid is also attached to the project. In production development, 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 will soon begin work as the narrator on Nickelodeon's new cartoon "Captain Itch." Previously 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 years Theater Award.
John's television career initially began as a twelve-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. His love of the theater has led him in starring roles on the national tours of "Pirates of Penzance," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and "Brigadoon." Most recently, John starred with Loretta Swit in the comedy "Same Time Next Year," where his performance received rave reviews. O'Hurley has also shown his musical talent on stage in several performances of Broadway songs accompanied by a 60-piece orchestra.
O'Hurley also loves the world of business. He is currently principal partner for two venture capital companies, Round One Investments, in Los Angeles, and Heritage Capital Investments, in Atlanta, GA.
When not performing, John maintains his single digit handicap by playing on the Celebrity Players Tour, as well as in other key events like the BMW Charity Celebrity Pro-Am and the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Additionally, he lends his name and golf game to help charities close to his heart; namely, Golfers Against Cancer and Child Development Institute. O'Hurley enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Lisa and their baby boy William Dylan. Together they love to play golf, travel, play with their dogs (Scoschi and Betty), cheer for the Boston Red Sox and entertain friends at their new home in Beverly Hills.
