Actor John D’Leo has certainly made a name for himself with a string of memorable performances across film and television. Over the years, John D’Leo has built an impressive resume, starting with early appearances that showcased his natural talent. Born in 1995 in Monmouth County, NJ, John D’Leo first appeared on screen as a young murder victim in an episode of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 1999–), marking the beginning of what would become a steady career. After a brief role on the long-running soap “Guiding Light” (CBS, 1952–2009), he gained wider attention when he shared the spotlight with Mickey Rourke in the Oscar-nominated drama “The Wrestler” (2008), playing Adam, the video-game-loving younger friend of Rourke’s character—a role that really put John D’Leo on the map.
From there, John D’Leo continued to build momentum, guest-starring on short-lived but notable police procedurals like “Life on Mars” (ABC, 2008–09) and “The Unusuals” (ABC, 2009). He then stepped into the world of gritty crime dramas with a role in Antoine Fuqua’s star-studded “Brooklyn’s Finest” (2009), where he played Vinny, the son of Ethan Hawke’s character. John D’Leo also brought comedic timing to the much-criticized buddy flick “Cop Out” (2010), portraying Kevin with just the right edge.
As his career progressed, John D’Leo took on a variety of eclectic roles. He popped up in the HBO dramedy “How to Make It in America” (2010–11) and the NBC medical series “Mercy” (2009–2010), showing off his range. He wasn’t afraid to dive into edgier material either—playing the Vienna Sausage Boy in the raunchy comedy “Dirty Movie” (2011) and later stealing scenes as Tanner, Paul Rudd’s mischievous nephew, in David Wain’s “Wanderlust” (2012).
One of John D’Leo’s standout moments came when he landed the lead in the high school comedy “Murt Ramirez Wants to Kick My Ass” (2012), where he played Billy, a student trying to dodge retaliation from a bully he helped get expelled. It was a role that allowed John D’Leo to shine in a more central position, proving he could carry a film.
He continued to work alongside major stars, portraying Warren Blake—the son of Robert De Niro’s ex-mobster character—in Luc Besson’s darkly comedic “The Family” (2013). John D’Leo then showed his dramatic depth by playing Pete Zamperini, the older brother of Louis Zamperini, in Angelina Jolie’s powerful war biopic “Unbroken” (2014). In 2015, he appeared as Dudley in “Jack of the Red Hearts,” a heartfelt family drama centered around autism.
John D’Leo also made waves on the small screen, taking on youthful versions of established characters. He portrayed a teenage Joe Caputo in the acclaimed Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black” (2013–), adding depth to the backstory of the prison warden. Around the same time, he played a timid construction worker in the indie comedy “Lost Cat Corona” (2017), once again showcasing his versatility. Fans of procedural dramas may also recognize John D’Leo from his guest appearance on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 2010–).
In more recent years, John D’Leo took on compelling roles in fact-based and speculative stories alike. He played Daniel in the 2018 HBO TV movie “Paterno,” which explored the downfall of football coach Joe Paterno, and brought intensity to the role of Will in the futuristic ABC thriller “The Crossing” (2018–). Through it all, John D’Leo has remained a consistent and adaptable presence in Hollywood—someone who can shift seamlessly between drama, comedy, and everything in between.
So, when it comes to John D’Leo’s filmography, things really started picking up with Wanderlust back in 2012—that one definitely stands out as John D’Leo’s highest rated movie. It’s clear that his performance resonated well with both critics and audiences alike. On the flip side, though, not every project hit the same high notes. For instance, The Family from 2013 ended up being John D’Leo’s lowest rated film, which is kind of surprising given the cast and premise. Still, even with the ups and downs, John D’Leo has shown some solid potential over the years.