John Pappas is a Greek American actor, playwright and former comic who has appeared on television and in film since the 1970s. Pappas is best known for his recurring role as "Pappas" on the television series Hardball. Pappas is also known for his recurring role of Leo Sullivan on the NBC Soap Opera Days of Our Lives. In 2001 Pappas returned to Days of Our Lives in another recurring role of a convict named "Buddy". Pappas is an award-winning actor receiving a 1990 best actor award from the L.A. Weekly, for his performance in Gilbert Girion’s BAD COUNTRY. He received 2 Drama-Logue awards, one in 1989 and another in 1988.
Early life
Born in Oakland, California, Pappas has lived in Los Angeles since 1974, for the most part in Hollywood. He began working in theatre as a teenager in the Bay Area, working within the improvisation theatre community, primarily at The Committee in San Francisco, where he learned the improvisational style of the late Del Close. He attended Grant High School in Oakland and San Francisco State University, before leaving for L.A. to work with Paul Sills.
Career
Pappas was featured in roles on Fernwood 2 Night as lead singer in the fictional punk rock band "15 and Free" and America 2-Night as Denny the “born again Christian” surfer; in as Agent Charlie Rusk and in Tremors as Carmine - road worker. Early in his career, Pappas appeared on variety shows including The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show and Dinah Shore, as half of the comedy team Pappas and Diederich. Pappas and his partner Diederich, performed at the World Famous Comedy Store, The Improv and The Horn, and many world prominent night clubs including, The Old Waldorf and The Punchline in San Francisco. At the Boarding House, the duo opened for John Kay, of Steppenwolf. Other opening act gigs include, Sister Sledge, at The Roxy, San Diego, Franklyn Ajaye, at The Punchline, S.F. and Don McClean at the Catamaran, Mission Bay, San Diego. Pappas was the original Phil Hartman 'stalker' on the Goofy Ball episode of News Radio. His scene with the late Mr. Hartman was re shot with comedian Dennis Miller. He is the only actor in the first Tremors who gets dragged over a cliff and eaten alive by the monster worms yet returns as a different character in Tremors 3: Back to Perfection ".
In theatre, Pappas originated the role of "James" in ETTA JENKS, by Marlene Gomard Meyer. The play, which had its world premier in 1989 at The Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles, after ending its L.A. run, was picked up and moved to New York as a co-production with The Women’s Project. The play is published by DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE INC. and credits the original cast members who created the roles. Mr. Pappas also originated the role of GARY in John Steppling’s THE DREAM COAST, which was performed as a public workshop at The Mark Taper Forum’s New Theatre For Now, 1985 “In the Works festival.” The play had an additional run in 1986 at The Taper Too, where Pappas had a second opportunity to play the role of GARY. In December 2001 Pappas received a review from Paul Birchall for his work in "TRIBE OF JUDAH".
Personal life
Pappas currently lives in Long Beach with his wife Caren and their two dogs Youngster and Delilah. He is an actor, known for Checkers, Hardball, Days Of Our Lives, Tremors, Tremors 3: Back to Perfection and Police Story: The Watch Commander The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie. He is married to Caren.
