---
name: "John Kapelos"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-kapelos"
fi1m_id: "john-kapelos"
imdb_id: "nm0438127"
tmdb_id: 55554
wikidata_id: "Q182931"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 March 1956"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T01:03:44.864826+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# John Kapelos

## Identity

John Kapelos

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-kapelos
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** john-kapelos
- **IMDb ID:** nm0438127
- **TMDB ID:** 55554
- **Wikidata ID:** Q182931
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kapelos, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182931, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0438127/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55554

Actor. Born 8 March 1956 in London, Ontario, Canada.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 March 1956, London, Ontario, Canada
- **Active:** 1985–2017
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 6 acting, 2 other
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (2), 2000s 71 (5), 2010s 83 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 75 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Comedy 3, Action & Adventure 1, Crime 1, Fantasy 1, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $247m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kapelos, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182931, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0438127/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55554

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Breakfast Club*](https://film.one/film/the-breakfast-club.md) (75)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

John Kapelos is a Canadian actor. Born on 8 March 1956 in London, Ontario, he is an alumnus of The Second City in Chicago, where he performed with the touring company from 1978 to 1982 and as a member of the resident company from 1982 to 1986. He later appeared in the troupe's off-Broadway revue *Orwell That Ends Well*.

Kapelos is best known for his role as the janitor Carl in *The Breakfast Club* (1985). He also portrayed Detective Donald Schanke in the television series *Forever Knight* (1992–1995) and appeared in other John Hughes films, including *Sixteen Candles* (1984) and *Weird Science* (1985). His television credits include guest roles in *Seinfeld*, *The X-Files*, *House* and *The Umbrella Academy*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *The Shape of Water* (2017), Fi1m 83, as Mr. Arzounian — [page](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md)
- *Chuck* (2007), Fi1m 73, as Yari Demitrios — [page](https://film.one/tv/chuck.md)
- *Shark* (2006), Fi1m 55, as Presiding Officer — [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *One Tree Hill* (2003), Fi1m 66, as Carl — [page](https://film.one/tv/one-tree-hill.md)
- *Gilmore Girls* (2000), Fi1m 81, as Orientation Leader — [page](https://film.one/tv/gilmore-girls.md)
- *The Breakfast Club* (1985), Fi1m 75, as Carl — [page](https://film.one/film/the-breakfast-club.md)

### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Legally Blonde* (2001), Fi1m 78, as Dewey Newcombe (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/legally-blonde.md)
- *Tootsie* (1982), Fi1m 85, as Actor at Party (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/tootsie.md)

## Complete filmography (167)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Once a Week for Life* (2026), as Theo Galanis
- *Scrubs* (2026), series, as Stanley Campos
- *Loaded for Bear* (2024), as Ben
- *I Don't Know* (2024), as Nicky
- *Matlock* (2024), series, as Judge Frederick Sparkman
- *The Last Word* (2023), as Brett Harper
- *Beacon 23* (2023), series, as Jocko
- *The Class* (2022), as Nate
- *The Lincoln Lawyer* (2022), series, as Peter Sterghos
- *Val* (2021), as Bryan Foley
- *Crossword Mysteries: Riddle Me Dead* (2021), as Chief Chauncey O'Connor
- *Crossword Mysteries: Terminal Descent* (2021), as Chief Chauncey O'Connor
- *Big Sky* (2020), series, as Father Ted Maynard
- *Medical Police* (2020), series, as Matteo Neri, Frank Neri
- *Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver* (2020), as Chief Chauncey O'Connor
- *Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Murder* (2019), as Chief Chauncey O'Connor
- *Tellers* (2019), as Craig
- *Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For* (2019), as Chief Chauncey O'Connor
- *Love Shot* (2019), as Tony
- *The Umbrella Academy* (2019), series, as Jack Ruby
- *The Unicorn* (2019), as Louis
- *Magnum P.I.* (2018), series, as Hector Aquino
- *22 Chaser* (2018), as Bissey
- *BLOOD TYPE* (2018), as ER Policeman
- *The Shape of Water* (2017), as Mr. Arzounian — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md)
- *First Round Down* (2017), as Sonny
- *Conviction* (2016), series, as Jim McNally
- *The Expanse* (2015), series, as Ren — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-expanse.md)
- *Love on the Air* (2015), as Gus
- *Impastor* (2015), series, as Judge Brenden Bell
- *Togetherness* (2015), series, as Contractor
- *Transparent* (2014), series, as Gary — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *I Didn't Do It* (2014), series, as Uncle Patsy
- *Afternoon Delight* (2013), as Jack
- *Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer* (2013), as Detective Brady
- *Miss Dial* (2013), as Creepy Guy
- *Not That Funny* (2012), as Kevork Sarkissian
- *The Exes* (2011), series, as Giovanni
- *Suits* (2011), series, as Elias Gould
- *Franklin & Bash* (2011), series, as Roland Stray
- *Shameless* (2011), series, as Larry Burke — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless-2011.md)
- *Farewell Mr. Kringle* (2010), as Harley
- *Law & Order: LA* (2010), series, as Mark Buckley
- *Lost Girl* (2010), series, as Wayne
- *Justified* (2010), series, as Ethan Picker — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/justified.md)
- *Republic of Doyle* (2010), series, as Vince Pickard
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Stavros — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Junkyard Dog* (2009), as Hellerman
- *Tripping Forward* (2009), as Vladdy
- *Chasing a Dream* (2009), as Frank McGuire
- *Castle* (2009), series, as Joe Pulgatti — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *The Beneficiary* (2008), as Roy Vidrow
- *The Suite Life on Deck* (2008), series, as Elias
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Hank Draber — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Gemini Division* (2008), series, Actor
- *The Babysitter* (2008), as Mr Jones
- *Snow Buddies* (2008), as Jean George
- *Whisper* (2007), as Whitley
- *Chuck* (2007), series, as Yari Demitrios — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/chuck.md)
- *Everybody Wants to Be Italian* (2007), as Steve Bottino
- *iCarly* (2007), series, as Morris
- *Flight 29 Down: The Hotel Tango* (2007), as Captain Bob Russell
- *Shark* (2006), series, as Presiding Officer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Tom Swagerty
- *Fifty Pills* (2006), as Harold
- *Stick It* (2006), as Chris DeFrank
- *Mr. Soul* (2006), Actor
- *The River King* (2005), as Joey Tosh
- *Flight 29 Down* (2005), series, as Captain Russell
- *McBride: Tune in for Murder* (2005), as Bob Carter
- *Shallow Ground* (2005), as Leroy Riley
- *House* (2004), series, as Dr. Kurtz — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Eugene Beale — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Detective Wayne Farley — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Bobby Rossmore
- *Phil the Alien* (2004), as The General
- *I Accuse* (2003), as Det. Murray
- *Cold Case* (2003), series, as John Butler
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Victor Castor — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *One Tree Hill* (2003), series, as Carl — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/one-tree-hill.md)
- *Las Vegas* (2003), series, Actor
- *Dead Like Me* (2003), series, as Angus Cook
- *Mimic: Sentinel* (2003), as Det. Gary Dumars
- *Fast Food High* (2003), as John Redding
- *111 Gramercy Park* (2003), as Gus Barlow
- *Auto Focus* (2002), as Bruno Gerussi
- *Boomtown* (2002), series, as Hugo Pinkston
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Ezra Hafetz
- *Just Cause* (2002), series, Actor
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Paulie Flores
- *The Dead Zone* (2002), series, as Patrick Hanchin
- *Ignition* (2002), as Conor's Lawyer
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Halper
- *Legally Blonde* (2001), as Dewey Newcombe (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/legally-blonde.md)
- *State of Grace* (2001), series, as Milton Figer
- *Fire & Ice* (2001), as Andy Kurtz
- *Cold Blooded* (2000), as Lou Miles
- *The District* (2000), series, as Victor Abbot
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Duke Rittle
- *Gilmore Girls* (2000), series, as Orientation Leader — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/gilmore-girls.md)
- *God, the Devil and Bob* (2000), series, Actor
- *Angel* (1999), series, as Roland Meeks
- *Double Jeopardy* (1999), as Man on Pay Phone (uncredited)
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Seymour Little — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Zack Wiley
- *The Deep End of the Ocean* (1999), as George
- *Young Hearts Unlimited* (1998), as Jensen
- *First Wave* (1998), series, as Phil Tennant
- *Johnny Skidmarks* (1998), as Walter Lippinscott
- *Timecop* (1997), series, Actor
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Officer John Rydell
- *The Relic* (1997), as McNally
- *Once a Thief* (1996), series, Actor
- *The Craft* (1996), as Ray (uncredited)
- *Wiseguy* (1996), as Dave Goss
- *The Late Shift* (1996), as Robert Morton
- *ER* (1994), series, as Mr. Irby — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Cool and the Crazy* (1994), as The Greek
- *Rebel Highway* (1994), series, as The Greek
- *The Shadow* (1994), as Duke Rollins
- *Deep Red* (1994), as Mack Waters
- *For the Love of Aaron* (1994), as Dr. Teplitsky
- *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, as Dr. Milton Getz
- *Dave's World* (1993), series, as Leo
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Policeman — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* (1993), series, as Lucky Leon
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Special Agent Fordyce — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Guilty as Sin* (1993), as Ed Lombardo
- *Diagnosis Murder: A Twist of the Knife* (1993), as Bernie McNeil
- *Man Trouble* (1992), as Detective Melvenos
- *We're Talkin' Serious Money* (1992), as Marty "the Greek"
- *Forever Knight* (1992), series, as Det. Don Schanke · Director
- *Highway Heartbreaker* (1992), as Det. Baker
- *Deadly Betrayal: The Bruce Curtis Story* (1992), as Prosecutor Paul Chaiet
- *Palace Guard* (1991), series, Actor
- *Defenseless* (1991), as Jack Hammer
- *And the Sea Will Tell* (1991), as Len Weinglass
- *And the Sea Will Tell* (1991), series, as Len Weinglass
- *Counterstrike* (1990), series, as Manny
- *Shannon's Deal* (1990), series, as Turner Bryce
- *Grand* (1990), series, as Ray
- *Internal Affairs* (1990), as Steven Arrocas
- *Nick Knight* (1989), as Det. Don Schanke
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Barry Prophet — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Dr. Mustafa El Razul
- *All's Fair* (1989), as Eddie
- *The Boost* (1988), as Joel Miller
- *Vibes* (1988), as Eugene
- *Onassis: The Richest Man in the World* (1988), as Costas Gratsos
- *Roxanne* (1987), as Chuck
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Jack Lewis
- *Nothing in Common* (1986), as Roger the Commercial Director
- *Off Beat* (1986), as Lou Wareham
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Sgt. Sam Hayden
- *My Man Adam* (1985), as Mr. Rangle
- *Weird Science* (1985), as Kandy Bar Owner
- *Head Office* (1985), as General Sepulveda
- *The Breakfast Club* (1985), as Carl — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/the-breakfast-club.md)
- *The Impostor* (1984), Actor
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Lt. Howard Tartarus
- *Who's the Boss?* (1984), series, Actor
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Andy Sloan — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *The Naked Face* (1984), as Frank
- *Sixteen Candles* (1984), as Rudy Ryszczyk
- *Class* (1983), as Bellman
- *Tootsie* (1982), as Actor at Party (uncredited) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/tootsie.md)
- *Thief* (1981), as Mechanic #3

## Gallery

- ![John Kapelos](https://film.one/media/person/118328/gallery-c00bd0d157e3.png) John Kapelos — John Kapelos, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/John_Kapelos_2014-11-24.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![John Kapelos](https://film.one/media/person/118328/gallery-b42352c3399a.jpg) John Kapelos — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-kapelos