Skip to content
MovieCove
John Terlesky

John Terlesky

Director, actor and writer, also producer · Born May 30, 1961 (65) · Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

John Todd Terlesky (born May 30, 1961) is an American actor, film director, television director and screenwriter. As an actor, he is known for playing Deathstalker in the 1987 film Deathstalker II, and Mike in Chopping Mall (1986). Terlesky was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 30, 1961. Since the mid-1980s, Terlesky has acted in a number of films and television series. His first notable television role was in the NBC drama Legmen. His other television credits include The Facts of Life, V, Our House, Empty Nest, Walker, Texas Ranger, a recurring role on Guns of Paradise and co-starring in the sitcom The Last Frontier. Some of Terlesky's film acting credits include Secret Admirer (1985), The Naked Cage (1986), Chopping Mall (1986), Valet Girls (1987), The Allnighter (1987), Deathstalker II (1987), Appointment with Death (1988), Damned River (1989) and Crazy People (1990). In 1998, Terlesky made his directorial debut with the film The Pandora Project, co-directing with Jim Wynorski. He directed a number of other independent, direct-to-video and television films before getting involved in episodic television. Since 2006, he has directed episodes of Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Drop Dead Diva, Human Target, Army Wives, Body of Proof, Gossip Girl, Castle, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., How To Get Away With Murder, and The Blacklist (TV series).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 30, 1961 (65)
From
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Works as
Director, actor and writer, also producer
Titles
56 on MovieCove · 77 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 20% in 30 days

What are John Terlesky's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
38%
Survival
25%
Self
12%
Bonds
10%
Power
8%
Society
6%
Ideas
2%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFaith3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 8 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Shadow
2 of 4
Hero
1 of 4
Ally
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Thrilling
6
Dread
4
Melancholic
5
Absurd
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Terlesky's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 39 of their 56 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Terlesky's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

77 credits, 56 with a MovieCove page.

  • NCIS: Origins(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Irrational(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Leap(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • The Equalizer(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist(2020)

    Show 13 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Grand Hotel(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookie(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Take Two(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Gone(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • S.W.A.T.(2017)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Blacklist: Redemption(2017)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Co-Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Timeless(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Catch(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • How to Get Away with Murder(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Finding Carter(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 11 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Revenge(2011)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Against the Wall(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Body of Proof(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • The Glades(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Human Target(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Eastwick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Drop Dead Diva(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 26 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Trial by Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director

  • Warbirds(2008)

    Co-Producer · Story

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Gossip Girl(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Army Wives(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • By Appointment Only (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • Fire Serpent(2007)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Ugly Betty(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Not My Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • Cerberus(2005)

    Director · Writer · as Willis

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Written in Blood(2003)

    Director · as Guard #2

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Larry Van Owen

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Malevolent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Guardian(2001)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Chain of Command(2000)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Judgment Day(1999)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Supreme Sanction(1999)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Storm Trooper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Shotgun

  • The Pandora Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · Story

  • Vampirella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Astronaut #2

  • The Last Frontier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Voice from the Grave(1996)

    as Bill Perkins

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Hard Bounty(1995)

    as Carver

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • All-American Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Tim

  • Little Miss Millions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Randolph Palmer (uncredited)

  • Sirens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 13 episodes · as Dan Kelly

  • Grapevine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Greg

  • Munchie(1992)

    as Dream Award Presenter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Battling for Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Phillip

  • Bar Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Gabe Shriver

  • Crazy People(1990)

    as Adam Burgess

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • When He's Not a Stranger(1989)

    as Ron Cooper

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Nashville Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Stick

  • Damned River(1989)

    as Carl

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 13 episodes · as Dakota

  • Appointment with Death(1988)

    as Raymond Boynton

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Longarm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Deputy US Marshal Custis Long

  • High Mountain Rangers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans(1987)

    as Deathstalker

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Allnighter(1987)

    as C.J.

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Valet Girls(1986)

    as Archie Lee Samples

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Chopping Mall(1986)

    as Mike Brennan

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Naked Cage(1986)

    as Willy

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Secret Admirer(1985)

    as Rick

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Consenting Adult(1985)

    as Pete Roberts

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Vince DeNisco

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Thumbelina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Flower Court

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Flower Court

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

Career shape

A full career of 77 titles from 1979 to 2024.

Biggest box office

The Naked Cage (1986)

$3.1M worldwide

Highest rated

NCIS: Origins (2024)

Midcredits 78th

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting34 of 77: 32 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score27thDirecting44 of 77: 37 only directing, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndWriting5 of 77: 0 only writing, 5 with another roleProducing4 of 77: 0 only producing, 4 with another role

77 titles, 8 with more than one role — directing and acting overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s16 · 13 acting · 3 crew2000s20 · 3 acting · 19 crew2010s18 · crew2020s5 · crew

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 11% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do John Terlesky's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 17th percentile, the median of all 22; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 20th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

20thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

13thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 56 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th16

Shape of the crowd

25 of their 56 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser25
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · director

The Equalizer (2021)

92nd percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Boston Legal (2004)

Midcredits 96th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 43/100 and the pacing 45/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is John Terlesky's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 60 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles44–70 · median 60 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 43 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does John Terlesky work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Terlesky's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Daniel Duncan shares the most, 6.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers