John Wesley Shipp

A popular soap player, John Wesley Shipp is well known for his television work. The handsome, muscular light-haired actor starred on "Guiding Light" (CBS) as Dr. Kelly Nelson from 1980-84, his charming portrayal winning many fans and admirers, due in no small part to his frequent appearances in a Speedo. From 1985-86, Shipp starred as the deranged Douglas Cummings on "As the World Turns" (also CBS) a powerful role for which he received his first Daytime Emmy Award and showed his range as an actor. In 1986, he had a significant guest role as Martin Ellis on NBC's "Santa Barbara" and picked up a second Daytime Emmy for his work. Shipp followed up with the title role in the CBS sci-fi adventure series "The Flash" (1990-1991), a cult favorite based on the comic book character that allowed the actor to play the dual roles of scientist Barry Allen and the titular Flash. The show continued on in reruns and in fan communities long after its network demise. He briefly returned to daytime with a recurring role on ABC's "All My Children" in 1992. The actor's other primetime credits include a two episode guest stint as a steroid-abusing cop on ABC's "NYPD Blue" in 1994, a recurring role as a prizefighter managed by youngest Reed sibling Frankie on NBC's "Sisters" and supporting roles in several made-for-TV movies. More recently, Shipp has reached a new generation of viewers as Dawson's dreamer dad Mitch Leery on The WB's hit drama "Dawson's Creek," a role he played from 1998 until the character's death in 2001.