John Lizzi is an American freelance actor in film, television, stage and commercials.
BACKGROUND
Lizzi grew up in New York. In his high school senior year, while sitting in the library, wondering what the hell he was going to do with his life, a couple of theatre students asked him if he would like to be in the senior play. He said sure, why not. The play was Lil Abner and he had 4 lines. Opening night, when it was his cue, he said his 4 lines and the audience broke out in laughter which, mercifully, they were supposed to. At that moment, Lizzi knew that this is what he wanted to do with his life. He then attended Onondaga Community College where he received his Associates Degree in Drama. He began acting in local theaters before receiving a letter from Uncle Sam requesting his presence in the United States Army. After completing his military service, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Lizzi went back to school and earned his bachelor's degree in Theatre from California State University at Northridge. He had three goals as a professional actor. They were to earn a living as an actor (which was a successful endeavor), to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (he had 14 appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) and to win an Academy Award (he co-starred in a film short that won an Oscar).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
In the film Trevor, directed by Peggy Rajski, Lizzi co-starred as Trevor’s Dad. This was the first film to address the issues and concerns of LGBTQ youth. Trevor won an Academy Award® for Best Short film. On Seinfeld (NBC) Lizzi guest starred as the Other Guy in the episode The Doll. He played the famous third tenor whose name Jerry and Elaine could never remember, yet Elaine wanted an autograph poster from him for her boyfriend, the “Maestro”. On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC) he guest starred as the Robert Shapiro character in all the O.J. Simpson trial comedy skits. Early in his career, Lizzi worked as a stand-in/photo double for Robert Blake in the NBC TV series Joe Dancer and for Charles Bronson in Death Wish II and was a leg double for Robert DeNiro in The Fan. His many stage credits include "Steambath" with Jamie Lee Curtis, "Rumors" and "South Pacific". Some of Lizzi's commercials include I Love NY, The Big East, Time Warner, Heluva Good Cheese and Kinney Drugs.
SERVICE, ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
Lizzi's achievements and awards include a Certificate of Appreciation (Good News, Good Kids) from the New York State Senate for writing and directing a Respect and Responsibility skit for a school district. He received a Certificate of Appreciation for the Summer Youth Opportunity Program from the United States Army for representing the Army as a youth counselor and producing and directing variety and talent shows for young people from the local communities. He is also a St. Baldrick's participant and fundraiser, was awarded the Joseph A. Witowski Outstanding Teacher Award in 2019 and is a Vietnam Era Veteran.
