John Richard Schneider (born April 8, 1960) is an American actor and country music singer. He is best known for his portrayal of Beauregard "Bo" Duke in the American television action/comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard, (opposite Tom Wopat, Catherine Bach and James Best), Jonathan Kent in the 2001-11 TV series Smallville (an adaptation of Superman), and James "Jim" Cryer on the television series The Haves and the Have Nots, created by Tyler Perry.
Alongside his acting career, Schneider has been a singer since the early 1980s, releasing nine studio albums and a greatest hits package, as well as eighteen singles. This total includes "I've Been Around Enough to Know", "Country Girls", "What's a Memory Like You", and "You're the Last Thing I Needed Tonight", all of which reached the top of the Billboard country singles charts.
Video John Schneider (screen actor)
Early life
Schneider was born on April 8, 1960, in Mount Kisco, New York, the son of Shirley Conklin and John "Jack" Schneider III, a pilot who had served in the U.S. Air Force. His family included an older brother Robert, an artist living in southern New York. John's life as an entertainer began at the age of eight, when he put on magic shows for his peers and their families. This once got him into trouble, when he had himself chained up and tossed into a swimming pool with the intention of re-creating Harry Houdini's legendary escape act. When he was 14, he and his mother moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where his love for performing continued. He went to North Springs HS, Sandy Springs GA.
Maps John Schneider (screen actor)
Career
Acting career
At the age of 17, he won the role of Bo Duke, working alongside another newcomer Tom Wopat and veteran actor James Best. For his audition, he "borrowed a dilapidated pickup truck, put on a big ol' country accent and funky hat. I hadn't shaved and went in toting a beer. I don't know whether they believed it or not, but they liked it." Schneider learned to drive the iconic Dodge Charger in the show, but to the disappointment of many fans, he admitted he never jumped the car due to the dangerous nature of the stunt.
At the height of the series' popularity, he also became a recording artist and merchandise galore. In 1982, a tangle of legal suits with the producers over the distribution of merchandising royalties sent Schneider and co-star Tom Wopat stalking off the show for most of a season. They returned to their roles in February 1983, only after their claims were satisfied. The show was canceled in 1985, after 7 seasons. Schneider directed the series finale, titled Opening Night at the Boar's Nest, airing originally on CBS, February 8, 1985.
In 2001, he portrayed Jonathan Kent, the adoptive father of Clark Kent on Smallville, starring in 100 episodes before his character was killed off. Schneider directed some episodes of Smallville, including "Talisman". Some episodes contain references to Schneider's work in The Dukes of Hazzard, e.g. the season five episode "Exposed" is notable for reuniting Schneider with his former Dukes co-star Tom Wopat. Schneider guest starred for the latter half of season five appearing in the episodes "Void" and "Oracle". Schneider returned for the season 10 premiere of Smallville, reprising his role as Jonathan Kent in a recurring role.
Schneider has appeared in many films and TV series, including five guest spots on Hee Haw and the miniseries 10.5. He had a recurring role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and made guest appearances on such shows as Diagnosis: Murder, Touched by an Angel, JAG and Walker, Texas Ranger.
In 2009, Schneider made an appearance on CSI in an episode titled "Kill Me If You Can". He appeared in the first season of The Secret Life of the American Teenager, in which his real-life son Chasen Schneider had a recurring role. During the summer of 2008 and early 2009, John portrayed "Marshall Bowman". He declined to continue through the second season and his character was killed off.
In 2010, Schneider appeared in the series Leverage as a corrupt music executive in the season three episode "The Studio Job", and in several episodes of Desperate Housewives as a retired military man and father of Keith Watson (Brian Austin Green), the love interest of Bree Van de Kamp.
In 2011, he starred in the film Doonby, as a drifter who comes into a small town and makes it better. However, a menacing force stalks him. "It's It's a Wonderful Life without the wonderful part," Schneider explains. "'Reach down into the throat of It's a Wonderful Life, pull it inside out and make a movie out of it."
He returned to the role of Bo Duke, alongside Tom Wopat as Luke Duke, in a 2014 commercial for Autotrader.com.
John Schneider has graced television screens, made an impact in the film community, and delighted the country music world for decades by eloquently delivering stories in a way no one has before. He landed his television debut in 1978 as Bo Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard and has starred in TV movies like Dream House, Happy Endings, played opposite Kirk Douglas on the big screen in Eddie Macon's Run, starred as Jonathan Kent on Smallville, and is now playing the role of Judge Jim Cryer in the smash Tyler Perry hit, The Haves and the Have Nots.
Filmmaking Career
In addition to acting, John Schneider owns and operates the John Schneider Studios (JSS) where he writes and produces independent films in Holden, Louisiana. John Schneider Studios (JSS) has created an innovative infrastructure, designed to give independent filmmakers all the tools they need to create their stories and films in one location. Centered between Baton Rouge and New Orleans airports, JSS sits on 58 acres of lake, swamp, baseball and expansive fields, Olympic size swimming pool, and 5 acres of Southeast Asia-like giant bamboo, nestled against the Tickfaw River, as well as two large houses, built near the turn of the last century, and two 5,000 square ft. sound stages. Additionally, JSS offers filmmakers all the software, editing systems, and legal assistance needed for a complete experience. Throughout his journey, he met Alicia Allain, a producer and owner of Maven Entertainment who would help Schneider continue to make impeccable independent films.
Producer Alicia Allain of Maven Entertainment has more than 20 years of film and television industry experience, including 13 years in Los Angeles and seven years on location in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Arkansas, and overseas. Allain met Schneider while working as a film producer for Robert Evans where she worked on the film Hate Crime in the latter part of 2014. It was during this time that Allain would partner with Schneider the two would produce independent films Like Son, Anderson Bench, Inadmissible, and their latest film, 4:GO. Allain has a proven record as a line producer, handling all aspects of film finance. Additionally, she has experience handling SAG, IATSE, and DGA guidelines and contracts, and has negotiated directly with unions. She also has experience in contract negotiation with agents and attorneys. Outside of producing, Allain is the former president of The Robert Evans Company. In this role, she oversaw the development and production of several independent films and worked on a broad range of projects. Projects which include collaboration with Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee on Foreverman and a romantic comedy based on a popular novel by Darcy Cosper, Wedding Season. Finally, Allain is the founder of the Louisiana Film Fellowship program, designed to cultivate the film industry in Louisiana and provide young filmmakers with training and on-set experience.
In 2016 John Schneider Studios and Maven Entertainment lead the way in independent film with their announcement of the release of CineFlix Fest and CineFlix Digital on Demand, a new revolution in film. CineFlix Digital on Demand will redefine independent film distribution by connecting subscribers with amazing films and exclusive behind the scenes content through a premium streaming subscription showcase. In addition, CineFlix Fest provides groundbreaking opportunities to filmmakers, including a distribution contract and participation in a road show throughout the southern states proving their dedication to providing filmmakers an unprecedented opportunity for success.
"My desire with CineFlix is to put the movie film business back in the hands of the filmmaker." - John Schneider
"My role with CineFlix is to advocate for the Hollywood underdog, providing the best environment for the storytellers to share their work." - Alicia Allain
Music career
During Schneider's Dukes of Hazzard days, he also entered into music, which would peak on country charts and change the course of the industry. It was in the early 80's that Schneider would sign with Scotti Brothers Label and unleash his debut full-length, Now or Never, which peaked at #8 on the US Country Billboard charts. Also from the album came "It's Now or Never," a remake of the Elvis Presley hit, which peaked at #4 on the US Country Billboard charts in 1981 and remains the top charting Elvis cover of all time in any genre to date. During the 1980s, Schneider parlayed his success as Bo Duke with a string of country music hits. His biggest hits include: "It's Now or Never" (#8 country and No. 14 pop, 1981; a remake of the Elvis Presley hit); Continuing to release albums year after year, Schneider unleashed Quiet Man and If You Believe and in 1984, signed with MCA Nashville. Through MCA Nashville, Schneider released Too Good to Stop Now which included his first #1 hits, "I've Been Around Enough to Know" and "Country Girls," also peaking at #1 on the CAN Country music charts, cementing his way into the country music world. The following year, Schneider unleashed Tryin' To Outrun the Wind, followed by A Memory Like You which debuted at #1 on the US Country Billboard charts, a first for Schneider. Off the pinnacle album A Memory Like You came "What's a Memory Like You (Doing In A Love Like This)" and "You're The Last Thing I Needed Tonight," singles which both peaked at #1 on the US Country Billboard charts and CAN Country. In the late 80's, Schneider continued unleashing albums including his quintessential Greatest Hits record. Taking some time off to pursue acting opportunities, Schneider would return with Worth The Wait, John's Acoustic Christmas, The Promise and his most recent album, Home For Christmas, with The Dukes of Hazzard co-star, Tom Wopat in 2014.
In 2017, Schneider made his triumphant return to the country music scene with Ruffled Skirts, a near and dear album to him that pays homage to Louisiana royalty, including some of the individuals from LeRoux ('New Orleans Lady'), Jo-El Sonnier, Doug Kershaw, David Hyde who played bass on the album and Randy Carpenter who played drums on the album and is dedicated to the people who were affected by the flood. In 2016, the community of Southern Louisiana was hit twice by major flooding in a matter of six months. The floods ravaged the John Schneider Studios which sat in nearly 4 ft of water. With tragedy there comes comes hope and beauty and with that came Ruffled Skirts. Sitting in the recording studio with no furniture, Schneider began arranging songs like "How Do You Stop The Water," "The Cajun Navy, " and "Every Friday Night" before enlisting in songwriters Scott Innis and Phil Redrow to help bring the songs to life. Instead of sitting in songwriting sessions, Schneider and producing partner Alicia Allain sent photos and video to Innis and Redrow of the devastation that Louisiana endured to eloquently capture the monstrosity of the flooding through music. The songs came to life when Schneider recorded each track in his bare studio creating a perfect space to take in the right sound. Schneider then enlisted in LeRoux's keyboardist/vocalist Nelson Blanchard to mix and master the 10-track album. The album, which Schneider so eloquently named in reference to the single-wide and double-wide trailers that came through after the flood.
Personal life
Schneider became a born-again Christian while living with Johnny and June Carter Cash for a short time in 1998 and speaking with Johnny about Christianity. In 1982, he co-founded, with Marie Osmond, the Children's Miracle Network to help suffering children. In 1995, he founded FaithWorks Productions in order to produce family-oriented videos and recordings.
Schneider has become involved in animal advocacy. He loves underwater sports and have been always defending underwater life. He read from Karen Dawn's book Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking The Way We Treat Animals at its New York book launch. In a Washington Post article he discussed the effects of the book and the people he met through the event on his life. He was moved to record a personal video, which is available on YouTube and on the book's website, in which he talks of his shock upon learning about the way animals are treated by human society, and mentions the award winning documentary Earthlings, which is about the human dependence on animals for a variety of resources.
Schneider was married to former Miss America Tawny Elaine Godin from 1983 to 1986. He married his second wife, Elvira Castle, on July 11, 1993. On December 12, 2014, TMZ.com reported that Castle had filed for divorce., which, on May 15, 2017, is still pending. They have three children, Leah and Chasen (born 1991), both of whom are Castle's children from her first marriage, and their daughter Karis. Since April 2015 Schneider is in a relationship with Alicia Allain, his producing partner and owner of Maven Entertainment.
Schneider was good friends with James Best, who played Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in The Dukes of Hazzard, until his death on April 6, 2015, of pneumonia at age 88.
Filmography
Television
Film
Discography
Albums
Singles
References
External links
- Official website
- John Schneider on IMDb
- John Schneider at the Internet Broadway Database
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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