John Wesley Shipp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Wesley Shipp
Shipp at MegaCon Orlando in 2025
Born	(1955-01-22) January 22, 1955 (age 70) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1980–present

John Wesley Shipp (born January 22, 1955) is an American actor. He is famous for his many roles on television. He played the main character, Barry Allen, in the superhero show The Flash from 1990 to 1991. He was also Mitch Leery, the father of the main character, in the drama series Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2001.

John Wesley Shipp has also appeared in many daytime soap operas. These include playing Kelly Nelson on Guiding Light and Douglas Cummings on As the World Turns. For his role on As the World Turns, he won his first Daytime Emmy Award. Later, he returned to the world of The Flash. He played Barry Allen's father, Henry, and another version of The Flash, Jay Garrick, on the CW's The Flash series.

Early Life and Education

John Wesley Shipp was born in Norfolk, Virginia. His father, John Wesley Shipp Sr., was a farmer. He went back to school when John Jr. was young. After studying at a seminary, his father became a pastor.

John's mother, Shirley Louise Bryant, was a nurse. John Wesley Shipp attended Butler High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He later studied at Indiana University.

Acting Career Highlights

John Wesley Shipp started his acting journey in 1980. His first regular role was as Dr. Kelly Nelson on the soap opera Guiding Light. He stayed on the show until 1984.

Daytime TV Success

After Guiding Light, Shipp continued acting in daytime shows. He played Douglas Cummings on As the World Turns from 1985 to 1986. This role earned him his first Daytime Emmy Award in 1986.

He then played Martin Ellis on Santa Barbara in 1987. For this, he won his second Daytime Emmy Award. He also appeared on One Life to Live and All My Children.

Becoming The Flash

Shipp in 2010, at Florida Supercon

In 1990, John Wesley Shipp got a big role. He was chosen to play Barry Allen, also known as The Flash. This superhero series aired on CBS during the 1990–91 TV season.

After The Flash, he had a recurring role as Lucky on the NBC series Sisters from 1994 to 1995. He also performed on stage in the 1990s.

Dawson's Creek and Beyond

In 1998, Shipp joined the cast of Dawson's Creek. He played Mitch Leery, the father of the main character, Dawson. He was a main cast member for the first four seasons, leaving the show in 2001.

In November 2010, Shipp returned to daytime TV. He played Eddie Ford on One Life to Live. In 2011, he was a guest star on the Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva. He also filmed episodes of the MTV series Teen Wolf in 2012. In the same year, he starred in the independent film Hell and Mr. Fudge.

Return to The Flash Universe

John Wesley Shipp came back to the world of The Flash in the 2010s. In 2014, he was cast in a special role on The CW series The Flash. It was later revealed he would play Henry Allen, who is Barry Allen's father.

In the second season finale of The Flash, Shipp played Jay Garrick. This character is another version of The Flash from a different universe. He also played his earlier version of Barry Allen. He even lent his voice to Eobard Thawne, Barry's enemy, in the animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

In 2015, Shipp started voicing Sheriff Burns in the podcast drama "Powder Burns." This show ran until 2018 and received awards. In 2016, he returned to the stage as Juror #8 in a play called Twelve Angry Men.

Film and Television Roles

John Wesley Shipp has appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career.

Film Appearances

Television Appearances

Awards and Recognitions

John Wesley Shipp has won several awards for his acting. At the 14th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1987, he won the Outstanding Guest Performer Award. He was the only actor to win awards in two different years for two different daytime dramas.

See also

In Spanish: John Wesley Shipp para niños