Handsome, lean and muscular, John Wesley Shipp is still not your average pretty boy actor. Playing the role of Kelly Nelson on Guiding Light, he has proven over and over that he can bring depth and dimensionto his portrayal. And no wonder – John is a dedicated student of acting, as well as a sucessfull professional.
A graduate of Butler High on Lousville, Kentucky, as well as the University of Indiana in Bloomington, John has been in New York since 1977. before landing the pivotal part of Kelly Nelson, he did several short walk-ons on the daytime serials One live to live and All my children. Another of his credits is a bit on the short lived nighttime show On Our Own.
Now that he´s on the top of the daytime heap with Guiding Light, he continues to study the craft that has brought him so much acclaim and popularity. He also continues to pursue the art of singing, wich, as all fans of Guiding Light can attest to, he´s very goodd at. And this many talented lad has also delved into dance, piano, and the organ!
Where does he get all his verve for accomplishment? It might very well be from his happy childhood, an unusual thing for an actor. Instead of the usual torment that propels people like Judy Garland on a stage, John Wesley comes from a fun-loving background. His father, a minister, was by no means a stuffy repressive type – instead, as John readily says, he was a very spontaneous guy. Ans as a result the Shipp family would often find themselves on all sorts of adventures. John loves his aprents, and says: “They couldn´t be better!”
It´s this type of positive feeling that comes across on screen or in person. Another impressive thing about john is his dedication to physical fitness, which he uses not just to keep his rugged body in shape, but also to release the tendions that can build up from four or five hard days of week work on the soap.
John has many plans that reach far beyond his excellent work on the show. One of those plans is to develop a singing act with his younger sister, who started out by singing in church just like John. This act would consist of the sophisticated music of Broadway great Stephen Sondheim as well as dospel, pop, and jazz songs. But although singing is very close to his heart, he does consider himself as, firstly, an actor.
One anecdote sums up the wholesome appeal of John Wesley Shipp. Like most families, his is pleased and proud of his success; but most of all his grandmother! A dedicated Guiding Light fan for many years, she loves the fact that her handsome grandson is on one of her favorite shows.
John Wesley´s got the world the way he wants it! - NW