John Fertitta, a seasoned stage, screen, and television actor, has had the privilege of working with five Academy Award-nominated directors, including Gary Ross, who directed him in his latest film role as Judge in Free State of Jones. According to John, recounting his good fortune, "When you're in 'lucky town,' you never want to leave."
John Phillip Fertitta was the youngest member of a lively Italian family, growing up in a small A-frame house behind his father's butcher shop located on the outskirts of downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. As John recalls, "In those days, we Italian kids lived on top of the store, behind the store, or not too damned far from the store."
John escaped the harsh realities of blue-collar life and the cultural conflicts of the 1960s by finding solace in the movies, a love instilled in him by his father, Tony. Every Saturday, rain or shine, John would take the streetcar to the old downtown library to read Variety and dream. This habit educated him about the film industry and prepared him for success.
The movies soon followed. Through a series of fortunate coincidences in the 1970s, John met independent filmmakers Jim McCullough and Charles B. Piece, who both hired him and provided opportunities to learn film craft behind and on camera. These independent films set him firmly on his career path. Video Murders, a low-budget film directed by Jim McCullough, marked John's first substantial film appearance as Lt. Delvecchio. This cult classic paved the way for John's major debut in Mississippi Burning, directed by Alan Parker. Then, in 1989, John shared the screen with film icon Paul Newman when he was cast in Blaze, directed by Ron Shelton. The role advanced John's career to the next level.
Working in quick succession with innovative film directors Walter Hill, Robert Dornhelm, and Christopher Reeve, John began accepting roles that allowed him to explore new facets of himself. He solidified his approach and matured into an actor who understood nuance and exuded confidence. John's hard work bore fruit when iconoclastic director Lee Daniels cast John to play alongside Matthew McConaughey and Zac Efron in the dark drama, The Paper Boy. This role confirmed John's prowess and screen presence when Daniels hired John, once again. This time, John worked with Academy Award-winner Forest Whittaker as Mr. Jenkins in The Butler.
John's career has also included regular appearances on television, most recently in Roots and NCIS New Orleans. He continually looks forward to finding challenging roles that encourage him to reinvent himself.
Asking him any day, John will tell you, "I am one of the luckiest guys in the world. I really am."
