John Michael Herndon was born in the quaint rural town of Linn, Missouri, where he spent the early years of his childhood. However, his family soon relocated to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he would spend the remainder of his childhood.
As a shy and introverted child, John found solace in his artistic abilities, often expressing himself through his drawings and paintings. In an effort to overcome his shyness, he transferred to a larger public high school, where he discovered a passion for speech and drama.
Despite his newfound interest, John's family encouraged him to pursue a more practical major, and he spent two years at Lincoln University, a historic black college, studying business. However, he soon transferred to SMSU (now known as Missouri State University),where he completed undergraduate degrees in both business and fine arts, as well as a master's degree in theatre.
John's time in Los Angeles was marked by a dual pursuit of business and acting, as he worked as a producer for national charities, film studios, and the City of Los Angeles, while also appearing in numerous independent films and television shows, including Buffy, The Vampire Slayer.
However, in 2005, John's life took a dramatic turn when his oldest sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He returned to Missouri to be with his family, staying until her passing a year later. This personal experience had a profound impact on John, allowing him to reflect on his priorities and return to Los Angeles with a renewed sense of purpose and artistic passion.
Since then, John has appeared in a wide range of film roles, from urbane lawyers and compassionate doctors to hard-edged southern characters and complex villains. Despite his known sensitivity and joviality, John has a penchant for playing the depth and complexity of well-written antagonist or villain roles.
