Johnny Whitaker
Biographical Information

Although he appeared in his first film role at 5 in Norman Jewison's, "The Russians are Coming The Russians are Coming" he has maintained a presence in front of and behind the cameras for the past 38 years. Johnny's first lauded performance was with a then little-known director, along with the late Sandy Dennis and Darrin McGavin in Steven Speilburg's "Something Evil" wherein Johnny gave an Emmy-nominated, honorable-mentioned performance as a boy possessed. His first in a line of Disney films was in Walt Disney's last personally-projected film, "The Biscuit Eater" with Earl Holiman and the late Godfrey Cambridge. The Director, Vincent McEveety let his brother Bernard know of Johnny's talent and so cast him opposite Jodie Foster (in her very first feature film role), in "Napoleon & Samantha" with Wil Geer, and another future Academy Award winner, Michael Douglas. Johnny enjoyed Jodie's company so much that he was once again happy to play opposite her as Tom Sawyer in the Musical version of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" wherein Johnny gave Jodie that first on-screen kiss. Oh boy what a kisser!! His other Disney film credits include, "Mystery in Dracula's Castle" and "Snowball Express".

After his well acclaimed and memorable "Tom Sawyer" performance, Sid & Marty Krofft requested Johnny's talents to star in his own live-action Saturday-morning series for children and teens, "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters". After three years of Sigmund, Johnny and his younger brother and sisters performed throughout the western United States in State and County fairs for the 1976 Bi-Centennial celebration in "The Johnny Whitaker Show". During this successful summer run, Johnny, along with the rest of the "Family Affair" Family and their fans were shocked to hear of the tragic death of his co-star Anissa Jones, "Buffy". At this tragic point, Johnny asked his agent, Mary Grady, to not seek out any roles and that he take a break from working as hard as he had during the 13 years earlier.

Even though Johnny was well-known by all, he knew he wanted to be just "a regular" guy. Now, for the first time in his life, he had the opportunity to go to regular high school. He really wanted to integrate himself and in doing so, was very well accepted. He joined the drama and speech clubs and won accolades for his performances in "Cabaret", "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Sound of Music." Johnny also won 1st place in the State of California's high school speech Programmed Reading event.

Realizing the only way to really get-away-from-it-all, Johnny accepted a call to the ministry as a Mormon Missionary to Lisbon, Portugal where he served for two years as a proselytizing missionary. With this experience, Johnny met many wonderful people who would help him later on to begin his own import-export business. Because of his fluency in Portuguese, he gained not only many converts, but many long-lasting friends as well. After this pensive experience, John returned to college and changed his major from the Humanities and International Relations to Communications with an emphasis in Motion Picture & Television Production. This time to work and learn the goings-on behind the camera. John also studied abroad in Paris, France with his BYU mentor and renowned Strasbergian, Tad Danielewski. From that Actor's Studio also was raised one of Hollywood's newest prodigys Neil LaButte Director of the new "Possessed".

John, as he is now sometimes referred to {c'mon he's go hair on his chest} graduated from Brigham Young University and began a career in writing and production. He worked with Jimmy Osmond and his production company and others at the Osmond Studios in Orem, Utah. He also owned and operated the first international Delicatessen in that region till he left in 1988.

Although he was shocked and saddened by the death of his client and friend Dana Plato, he was able to give knowledgeable information to her family and friends and in his position as manager try to help others not to make the same mistakes. He also gives classes and supports the talented children who work in show business.

John has been President of CandleLight Enterprises, his own computer consultation firm based in Hollywood, California for more than 14 years. His long list of impressive clientele vary from the deluxe Wyndham Checkers Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to some Film and Television personalities including being the former Webmaster to his great friend of many years Rip Taylor at www.RipTaylor.com. John got his interest in computers while a student at college and ever since has been helping pros and non-pros understand the intricacies of the "Information Highway".

He has also worked with his sister, Dora Whitaker, President of Whitaker Entertainment as the Chief Information Officer and helping prepare Whitaker Entertainment for two major motion pictures with major talent attached. He was also the Vice President and Manager of Children in the Children's division, LA KIDZ MANAGEMENT and continues working and consulting on an as-needed basis. He really enjoys working with young actors and actresses helping to direct their futures in show business.

John continued to work as an actor, and was praised for his non-conventional role as "JUDD" the Red-Necked Deer Hunter in an episode of Beyond Belief for Sci-Fi Channel. For 13 years, Johnny worked closely with the joint SAG/AFTRA Young Performer's Committee helping current young performers receive the benefits and prepare them for the detriments that a career in show business is likely to produce. Working with the YPC, John first met Dr. Rony Zodkevitch. John is proud to have helped to pass the California State Senate Bill (SB)1162 legislation that he and others worked on during their tenure. John has no regrets for his successful youth but because of friends' and others' sad situations joined with friends, Jeanne Russell (Margaret from "Dennis The Menace"), Mary McDonnough (The Walton's) Paul Petersen (Donna Reed's T.V. son) and others to give a positive yet warning voice to his contemporary peers.

John is a well-received public speaker and his most current engagement has been speaking to young hopeful actors/actresses to find out how to get into show business without getting burned. He also speaks on the condition of the Spanish-Speaking Addict/Alcoholic and other AOD-related subjects as he is now a CATC, (Certified Addiction Therapies Counselor),

Now, that he is coming into his mid-life years, Johnny and his ever-present psychiatrist and friend, Dr. Rony Zodkevitch have decided to bring Dr. Zod and Johnny's sessions into a public forum. As co-producer and director of The Dr. Zod and Johnny Show, he's found it difficult to do much more. With the support and help of Dr. Zod, Johnny, now known as Counselor, Whitaker, CATC is working at the prestigious and well-respected Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility, Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. as a Bi-lingual out-patient treatment counselor. John is also the President, and Founder of Paso Por Paso, a California 501 (c)3 corporation dedicated to helping the non-English speaking (specifically the Spanish-Speaking addict/alcoholic find treatment and recovery.

Overall, John has done much having just entered his mid 40's, and with more than 40 years of expertise in show business and the work-force he says, "I've only just begun!!"