Born in 1971, John Asher practically had showbiz in his blood—after all, he’s the son of two accomplished actors. So it was only natural that John Asher would eventually step into the spotlight himself. Though his roots were deep in the entertainment world, his first real break on television didn’t come until 1990. That’s when John Asher landed a small role on the popular prime time soap “Beverly Hills, 90210.” It wasn’t much, but it marked the beginning of his on-screen journey.
Fast forward four years, and John Asher took on his first leading role—playing Gary Wallace, the awkward yet endearing misfit, in the sci-fi comedy series “Weird Science.” The show was based on the 1985 movie, and John Asher stepped into shoes previously filled by Anthony Michael Hall. He brought his own flavor to the character, and for five seasons, audiences followed the adventures of Gary and his high-tech creations. When the series ended, John Asher shifted gears, both in front of and behind the camera.
Around this time, his personal life made headlines too. John Asher married actress Jenny McCarthy, and the two collaborated on several film projects. He directed her in a few movies, including “Diamonds,” a dramedy meant to signal Kirk Douglas’s return to the big screen—though it didn’t quite land as hoped. But things took a turn with their next joint effort: “Dirty Love.” Written by McCarthy and directed by John Asher, the raunchy comedy was met with scathing reviews, bombed at the box office, and, ironically, hit theaters the same month the couple announced their divorce. Talk about bad timing.
Still, John Asher kept working. He branched out into music videos, directing clips for big names like Sheryl Crow and the pop-punk band Sum 41. His versatility also led him to direct seven episodes of the beloved teen drama “One Tree Hill,” showcasing his knack for storytelling across genres.
As for acting, John Asher didn’t disappear from the screen entirely. He made a memorable guest appearance on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” as Zack Putrid—a cheeky parody of filmmaker Rob Zombie—and even portrayed a younger version of Donald Sutherland in the 2000 space adventure “Space Cowboys.” Through highs and lows, John Asher has remained a steady presence in Hollywood, quietly building a diverse career shaped by his early start and enduring passion for the craft.
When it comes to John Asher’s filmography, there’s a pretty noticeable gap in critical reception between his highest and lowest rated movies. John Asher really hit a high point with Po (2016), which stands out as his most acclaimed work by far. On the other end of the spectrum, John Asher’s Dirty Love (2005) received far less favorable reviews, making it his lowest rated movie to date. It’s interesting how John Asher has experienced such a range in success across different projects over the years.