John Ashley (actor)
John Ashley (actually John Atchley, born 25 December 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri; † October 3, 1997 in New York City ) was an American actor and singer.
Life
Ashley grew up in Oklahoma and developed during his time at Oklahoma State University interest in acting. During a trip to California, he managed to get a small role in The Conqueror ( 1956), after which he was taken from the movies on specialized company for young people AIP under contract. The first movie with Ashley in the lead role, Dragstrip Girl, was brought to theaters in spring 1957.
Since Ashley was also a talented singer, a music career was launched in parallel - Various singles were released on the label Dot Records. In several films he was given the opportunity to combine both talents.
Until the mid-1960s, Ashley has starred in films mostly low budget and in two television series. In 1962 he married colleague Deborah Walley; the marriage was divorced in 1966. A son comes from this compound.
End of the decade, Ashley focused more on work behind the cameras. Along with the exploitation director Eddie Romero, he produced a series of horror movies that were filmed in the Philippines. Similarly, Ashley was involved in several films of the blaxploitation wave.
In the 1980s, he began with great success, to produce television shows, including The A-Team and Walker, Texas Ranger. After a heart attack Ashley died at the age of 62 years.