John Dugan was born in the charming city of Brazil, Indiana, setting the stage for a life filled with artistic expression. He went on to attend the prestigious Goodman School of Drama at the renowned Art Institute of Chicago, where he honed his craft and performed in numerous theatrical productions.
During his time in Chicago, screenwriter Kim Henkle approached John with an intriguing offer - to portray the role of an old patriarch of a cannibalistic family in a film directed by the talented Tobe Hooper. John enthusiastically accepted the role, which would become one of the most iconic and enduring in his career.
At the tender age of 20, John played the part of Grandpa, a 113-year-old man whose family lured young people to their Texas homestead, where they were brutally murdered and consumed. The low-budget film, "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre", has since become a classic in the horror genre, spawning numerous sequels and a remake.
After the film's completion, John returned to his theatrical roots in Chicago, eventually making the move to Los Angeles. He took a few years off to focus on his family and raising his daughter, a testament to his dedication to his loved ones.
John's hiatus was mercifully short-lived, and he soon returned to the screen, making a cameo appearance in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation". He has since appeared in several independent horror films, including "Monstrosity", "The Butcher Boys", and "The Hospital", as well as the film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Boogeyman".
Almost forty years after his initial appearance as Grandpa in "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre", John reprised his role in the iconic film "Texas Chainsaw 3D" (2013). In addition, he recently finished filming "Rock Paper Dead", written by Victor Brooke Miller, which is set to be released in October 2017.
John currently resides in the Nashville area with his fiancée, surrounded by the beauty and charm of the region.