Life and career

Stockwell was born John Stockwell Samuels IV in Galveston, Texas, the son of an attorney. His first feature film as an actor came with a small role in 1981's So Fine. His well known roles came in the 1983 comedy film Losin' It as Spider; later that year, he starred in the John Carpenter horror film Christine as Dennis Guilder and the 1985 comedy film, My Science Project as Michael Harlan. Also in 1985 he appeared in the critically panned City Limits; though unsuccessful at the box office, the film was later riffed in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. In 1986 he appeared in Top Gun as Cougar. He made guest appearances on TV shows including The Young Riders and Friday the 13th: The Series.

He began his career as international model, spending much of his time in Italy. During his time as a model, John became a friend of Andy Warhol and Stockwell was mentioned frequently in the artist's memoirs, The Warhol Diaries.

Stockwell directed several films, including Cheaters (2000), Crazy/Beautiful (2001), Blue Crush (2002), Into the Blue (2005), Turistas (2006), and Heart (2009).

He also directed the Gina Carano star-vehicle, In the Blood and will direct the upcoming film Kickboxer: Vengeance.

Stockwell is married to Helene Henderson, a successful caterer, and they have three children.

Stockwell's sister is historian Evelyn Welch, and his niece is singer and songwriter Florence Welch.

Filmography

• So Fine (1981)
• Christine (1983)
• Quarterback Princess (1983) (TV)
• Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)
• Losin' It (1983)
• North and South (mini) (1985)
• City Limits (1985)
• My Science Project (1985)
• Radioactive Dreams (1985)
• Dangerously Close (1986)
• Top Gun (1986)
• Under Cover (1987)
• Born to Ride (1991)
• Nixon (1995)
• I Shot a Man in Vegas (1995)
• Aurora: Operation Intercept (1995)
• Breast Men (1997)
• Legal Deceit (1997)
• Stag (1997)
• The Nurse (1997)
• Cheaters (2000)
• Crazy/Beautiful (2001)
• Blue Crush (2002)
• Into the Blue (2005)
• Turistas (2006)
• Middle of Nowhere (2008)
• Heart (2009)
• Cat Run (2011)
• Dark Tide (2012)
• Seal Team 6: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden (2012)
• In the Blood (2014)
• Kid Cannabis (2014)
• Cat Run 2 (2014)
• Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016)
• Countdown (2016)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]