John Wesley obit

 

‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ Actor John Wesley Dies at 72

He was not on the list.

John Wesley, the actor best-known for playing Dr. Hoover on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” has died. He was 72.

Wesley died from complications due to a long battle with multiple myeloma, his family confirmed to Variety.

Gerry Pass, Wesley’s manager and producer, said in a statement, “John Wesley was a gift to the world, for his kindness and grace are immortalized in his works of theatre, TV and film. I am heartbroken to have lost a dear friend today.”

Born on Aug. 3, 1947 in Lake Charles, La., John Wesley Houston went on to hold degrees from the University of California, San Diego and the University of San Diego. Before he began acting, Wesley served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Over his expansive career, Wesley worked with talent including Denzel Washington, Albert Finney, Barbra Streisand, Tim Burton and Morgan Freeman.

Wesley holds more than 100 film and television credits, including “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Missing in Action,” “Big Fish,” “Stop, Or My Mom Will Shoot,” “Always Outnumbered” with Laurence Fishburne and “Martin.” He also enjoyed cameos on “Frasier,” “The Jefferson’s,” “Benson” and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” Most recently, he co-starred in 2016’s “The Midnighters,” a true crime thriller directed by Julian Fort. His last project was “Second Acts,” a short film created by Gerry Pass and directed by Anya Adams.

Wesley also appeared on the stage in Ionesco’s “Macbett” and Lillian Hellman’s “Toys in the Attic” at the Old Globe Theatre, as well as “An American Clock” by Arthur Miller and “Wild Oats” at the Mark Taper Forum.

Wesley is survived by his wife, Jenny Houston; his mother, Hazel Baskin; his daughters, Kimiko Kamiel Houston and Kinshasha Houston; stepson, Kyler Richie; siblings and grandchildren.

Actor (121 credits)

 2019 Second Acts (Short)

Ben Hancock

 2018 Holly Day

Jerry

 2018 NCIS (TV Series)

Chaplain Samuel Kemp

- What Child is This? (2018) ... Chaplain Samuel Kemp

 2017/I Under the Radar (Short)

Daniel McMullen

 2016 Raising Kings (Short)

Ronald King

 2016 The Midnighters

Chester

 2016 Cursed Angel (TV Movie)

Vincent Jones

 2015 If I Could Tell You (Short)

Participant #3

 2012 The Undershepherd

Steven Parker

 2012 Hart of Dixie (TV Series)

Otis

- Sweetie Pies & Sweaty Palms (2012) ... Otis

 2011 Cursed (TV Series)

Vincent Jones

- Battle to the Sky (2011) ... Vincent Jones

- An Angels' Heart (2011) ... Vincent Jones

 2011 Aurora Borealis (Short)

Mr. Parker

 2010 Beneath the Blue

Doctor

 2009 The Affordable Apartment: The Apartment from Hell (Short)

Old Man

 2009 The Twenty

George

 2009 Trust Me (TV Series)

Focus group man in green and white shirt

- All Hell the Victors (2009) ... Focus group man in green and white shirt

 2009 The Least Among You

Shotgun

 2008 Chocolate News (TV Series)

- Episode #1.9 (2008)

 2007 Believers (Video)

Leader

 2006 All of Us (TV Series)

Roosevelt

- My Two Dads (2006) ... Roosevelt

- Like Father, Like Son... Like Hell! (2006)

 2006 Inside the Twin Towers

Al Smith

 2005 Medium (TV Series)

Judge

- Judge, Jury and Executioner (2005) ... Judge

- In Sickness and Adultery (2005) ... Judge

- Suspicions and Certainties (2005) ... Judge

 2005 Night Stalker (TV Series)

Warden Blume

- The Five People You Meet in Hell (2005) ... Warden Blume

 2005 Revelations (TV Mini Series)

Prison Warden

- Hour One (2005) ... Prison Warden

 2005 Cold Case (TV Series)

Clyde

- Strange Fruit (2005) ... Clyde

 2004 Medical Investigation (TV Series)

Mr. Ndulu

- Alienation (2004) ... Mr. Ndulu

 2003 Chicken Party (Short)

Clarence

 2003 The Lyon's Den (TV Series)

- Pilot (2003)

 2003 World Record (Short)

Dan's Dad (English version, voice)

 2003 The Animatrix (Video)

Dan's Dad (segment "World Record") (voice)

 2002 The Practice (TV Series)

Father Stanley Joley

- Small Sacrifices (2002) ... Father Stanley Joley

 2002 13th Child

Jones

 2002 Frasier (TV Series)

Jerry

- Proxy Prexy (2002) ... Jerry

 2000 The Bill (TV Series)

Sonny Adair

- Trust: Part 3: The Deep Blue Sea (2000) ... Sonny Adair (uncredited)

- Trust: Part 2: The Hare and the Hounds (2000) ... Sonny Adair (uncredited)

- Trust: Part 1: A Sprat to Catch a Mackerel (2000) ... Sonny Adair (uncredited)

 2000 The Jamie Foxx Show (TV Series)

Willie the Janitor

- I Second That Demo-tion (2000) ... Willie the Janitor

 1995-2000 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (TV Series)

Supreme Justice / The General / Royal Minister

- The Princess and the Pauper (2000) ... Supreme Justice (voice)

- King Midas and the Golden Touch (1997) ... The General (voice)

- The Emperor's New Clothes (1995) ... Royal Minister (voice)

 1999 A Cop and His Donut (TV Movie)

Donut

 1999 Any Day Now (TV Series)

- Say Something (1999)

 1999 The Wood

Police Officers

 1999 Our Friend, Martin (Video)

Man / Demonstrator (voice)

 1998 Martial Law (TV Series)

Henry Winship

- Bad Seed (1998) ... Henry Winship

 1998 JAG (TV Series)

Darren Oakley

- The Martin Baker Fan Club (1998) ... Darren Oakley

 1998 Oh Yeah! Cartoons (TV Series short)

Donut / Cop #3 (segment "A Cop & his Donut")

- Apex Cartoon Props & Novelties/A Cop and His Donut/Enchanted Adventures (1998) ... Donut / Cop #3 (segment "A Cop & his Donut") (voice)

 1998 I Got the Hook Up

Minister

 1998 Pensacola: Wings of Gold (TV Series)

General Daniel Singer ret.

- Great Expectations (1998) ... General Daniel Singer ret.

 1998 Always Outnumbered (TV Movie)

Store Manager

 1997 Melrose Place (TV Series)

Ernie

- Desperately Seeking Samantha (1997) ... Ernie

 1997 Reign: The Conqueror (TV Series)

Aristotle, Antipater (English version, voice)

 1994-1997 Martin (TV Series)

Mr. Jim

- California, Here We Come: Part 2 (1997) ... Mr. Jim

- Bangin' Hard in the School Yard (1996) ... Mr. Jim

- Where the Party At (1996) ... Mr. Jim

- Ring a Ding, Ding, Gone (1995) ... Mr. Jim

- High Noon (1995) ... Mr. Jim

Show all 7 episodes

 1997 The Second Civil War (TV Movie)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

 1996 Charlie Grace (TV Series)

Detective Horan

- Steal One for the Gipper (1996) ... Detective Horan

 1995 The Courtyard (TV Movie)

Mr. Brendel

 1995 The Colony (TV Movie)

Jerry Franklin

 1994-1995 Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad (TV Series)

Principal Pratchett / Principal Pratchert / Principle Pratchett / ...

- Little Ditch, Big Glitch (1995) ... Principal Pratchert

- Hello Darkness, My Old Friend (1994) ... Principal Pratchert (credit only)

- My Virus Ate My Homework (1994) ... Principal Pratchert

- Just Brown and Servo (1994) ... Principal Pratchert

- Water You Doing? (1994) ... Principal Pratchett (credit only)

1995 The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (TV Movie)

Dr. Freeman

 1994 A Hollywood Hounds Christmas (TV Short)

Michael's Father / Additional Voices (voice)

 1994 The Little Rascals

Amish Man

 1994 Dream On (TV Series)

Jim

- Stone Cold (1994) ... Jim

 1994 Living Single (TV Series)

Ed Anderson

- Who's the Boss? (1994) ... Ed Anderson

 1993 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (TV Series)

Mr. Toplyn

- Free at Last (1993) ... Mr. Toplyn

- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1993) ... Mr. Toplyn

 1990-1993 In the Heat of the Night (TV Series)

Vic Glendon

- A Correct Settling (1993) ... Vic Glendon

- No Other Road (1991) ... Vic Glendon

- A Problem Too Personal (1990) ... Vic Glendon

 1992-1993 Homefront (TV Series)

Johnny

- Shabbat Shalom (1993) ... Johnny

- Life Is Short (1992) ... Johnny

 1993 Born Yesterday

Sen. Welch

 1993 Sirens (TV Series)

Lt. Pike

- Jumper (1993) ... Lt. Pike

 1992 Civil Wars (TV Series)

- A Partridge in a Pair's Tree (1992)

 1992 Roc (TV Series)

Kenny Sills

- The Car Accident from Heaven (1992) ... Kenny Sills

 1992 Sinatra (TV Mini Series)

Sy Oliver

- Part II (1992) ... Sy Oliver

- Part I (1992) ... Sy Oliver

 1992 Baywatch (TV Series)

Police Captain

- Showdown at Malibu Beach High (1992) ... Police Captain

 1992 California Dreams (TV Series)

Coach Wicks

- Beat of His Own Dream (1992) ... Coach Wicks

 1992 Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

Tony

 1991 True Colors (TV Series)

Dean Thomas

- Yo' House, Mama: Part 2 (1991) ... Dean Thomas

- Yo' House, Mama: Part 1 (1991) ... Dean Thomas

 1991 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV Series)

Dr. Hoover

- The Mother of All Battles (1991) ... Dr. Hoover

 1991 Raw Nerve

The Band - New Power

 1991 Switched at Birth (TV Mini Series)

Lester Dodge, P.I.

 1991 Nothing But Trouble

Sam

 1990 Gabriel's Fire (TV Series)

Thomas Graves

- Tis the Season (1990) ... Thomas Graves

 1990 Family of Spies (TV Mini Series)

Capt. Lennox

- Episode #1.2 (1990) ... Capt. Lennox

- Episode #1.1 (1990) ... Capt. Lennox

 1989 Mancuso, FBI (TV Series)

- Murder of Pearl (1989)

 1989 Out Cold

Cop #2

 1988-1989 Dirty Dancing (TV Series)

Sweets Walker

- Don't Make Me Over (1989) ... Sweets Walker

- Hit the Road (1989) ... Sweets Walker

- Our Day Will Come (1989) ... Sweets Walker

- Turn Me Loose (1988) ... Sweets Walker

- Book of Love (1988) ... Sweets Walker

Show all 11 episodes

 1988 Go Toward the Light (TV Movie)

2nd Doctor

 1988 Jack's Back

Sam Hilliard

 1988 Moving

Roy Hendersen

 1988 The Facts of Life (TV Series)

Crandall

- Peekskill Law (1988) ... Crandall

 1987-1988 227 (TV Series)

Russell / Barney Wilson

- Shall We Dance? (1988) ... Russell

- Men's Club (1987) ... Barney Wilson

 1987 Nuts

Holding Cell Guard

 1987 Married... with Children (TV Series)

Dennis

- Earth Angel (1987) ... Dennis

 1987 Crime Story (TV Series)

Charlie Brock

- Robbery, Armed (1987) ... Charlie Brock

 1987 Matlock (TV Series)

Dr. Carlin

- The Annihilator (1987) ... Dr. Carlin

 1987 Wiseguy (TV Series)

Hawthorne

- Pilot (1987) ... Hawthorne

 1987 CBS Summer Playhouse (TV Series)

Larry

- Mabel and Max (1987) ... Larry

 1987 Timestalkers (TV Movie)

Jack

 1987 Stingray (TV Series)

Detective Washington

- The Neniwa (1987) ... Detective Washington

 1987 Stillwatch (TV Movie)

 1986 Let's Get Harry

Mercenary

 1986 Hill Street Blues (TV Series)

Ed Andrews

- The Best Defense (1986) ... Ed Andrews

- A Case of Klapp (1986) ... Ed Andrews

 1986 Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story (TV Movie)

 1985 Highway to Heaven (TV Series)

Ted Tilley Jr.

- Popcorn, Peanuts and CrackerJacks (1985) ... Ted Tilley Jr.

 1985 It's a Living (TV Series)

Adams

- Desperate Hours (1985) ... Adams

 1985 Toughlove (TV Movie)

Danny Dawson

 1985 George Burns Comedy Week (TV Series)

- Death Benefits (1985)

 1985 Our Family Honor (TV Series)

- Pilot (1985)

 1985 Perfect

Eddie

 1985 Hail to the Chief (TV Series)

Dr. Stevens

- Episode #1.3 (1985) ... Dr. Stevens

 1985 Love Lives On (TV Movie)

Dr. Winston

 1985 Missing in Action 2: The Beginning

Frankie

 1985 The Atlanta Child Murders (TV Mini Series)

Tombe Chorro

- Episode #1.2 (1985) ... Tombe Chorro

- Episode #1.1 (1985) ... Tombe Chorro

 1985 Street Hawk (TV Series)

Keith Damon

- A Second Self (1985) ... Keith Damon

 1983 Quarterback Princess (TV Movie)

George Watson

 1983 Benson (TV Series)

Tony

- Labor Pains (1983) ... Tony

 1983 The Jeffersons (TV Series)

Gambler #2

- The List (1983) ... Gambler #2

 1983 Knight Rider (TV Series)

U.S. Marshal

- Merchants of Death (1983) ... U.S. Marshal

 1983 Special Bulletin (TV Movie)

Bernard Frost

 1968 Uptight

Larry (as John Wesley Rodgers)

 1968 Hang 'Em High

Guard

 1967 Daktari (TV Series)

Sergeant Motabu

- Undercover Judy (1967) ... Sergeant Motabu

 1966 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series)

Wounded Native

- The My Friend the Gorilla Affair (1966) ... Wounded Native

 1966 Dr. Kildare (TV Series)

Paul Young

- Gratitude Won't Pay the Bills (1966) ... Paul Young

- A Cry from the Street (1966) ... Paul Young

 1963-1964 The Richard Boone Show (TV Series)

Bromley

- Run, Pony, Run (1964) ... Bromley

- Where Do You Hide an Egg? (1963)

 1964 The Great Adventure (TV Series)

John Copeland Jr.

- The Night Raiders (1964) ... John Copeland Jr.

 1963 My Three Sons (TV Series)

Policeman

- My Friend Ernie (1963) ... Policeman