John Bolton Biography

John Bolton (born December 29, 1965) is an American actor and Broadway regular. Bolton is best known for originating the role of "The Old Man" (Mr. Parker) in the critically acclaimed Broadway show, A Christmas Story: The Musical, based on the classic 1983 movie A Christmas Story, which itself was based on stories by radio humorist Jean Shepherd. He recently performed in the Broadway revival of "Dames at Sea".

Career

Bolton's most recently appeared in the Broadway revival of 'Dames at Sea" with Bolton starring as The Captain/Hennesey. Bolton originated the role of "The Old Man" (Mr. Parker) in A Christmas Story: The Musical on Broadway and repeated this starring role in Boston, Hartford and in 2013 at Madison Square Garden. His other theatre credit includes many Broadway musicals that have won the Tony Award including original productions of Curtains with David Hyde Pierce; Spamalot with Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, and Sara Ramirez, directed by Mike Nichols; Contact directed by Susan Stroman; and Titanic; and revivals of Damn Yankees with How to Succeed in Business with Matthew Broderick and eventually playing the role of Finch opposite Sarah Jessica Parker.

A sought-after cabaret performer, Bolton also appeared in many concert performances including Downton Abbey at 54 Below, Titanic reunion at Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall, and Guys and Dolls and the Family Holiday Concert with the "New York Pops" at Carnegie Hall. The New York Times called his performance Guys and Dolls in a "stand-out."

He has performed in television shows and many TV commercials, most recently he was seen on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. He played the recurring character D.A. John Summerhill on the soap opera All My Children in 2006. He also appeared in "Loose Lips", a 2014 episode of Blue Bloods, "Vacancy", a 2006 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and played Bruce Caplan on the television series Gossip Girl. Bolton has also made guest star appearances as Carl Switzer on the critically acclaimed HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, and, as Jason Doyle on the Emmy Award winning television series The Good Wife. He also appeared in third season of Submissions Only and the short Russian Broadway Shut Down.

Personal life

He was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in LeRoy, New York.

Major theatre credits

Broadway

• Dames At Sea, Helen Hayes Theatre 2015
• A Christmas Story: The Musical, Madison Square Garden 2013
• A Christmas Story: The Musical, 2008-2012
• Curtains, 2007
• Spamalot, 2005-2006 (Tony Award for Best Musical)
• Chess, 2003
• Funny Girl, 2002
• Contact, 2000-2002 (Tony Award for Best Musical)
• Titanic, 1997-1999 (Tony Award for Best Musical)
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 1995-1996
• Dreamgirls, 2001
• Damn Yankees, 1994-1995

Off-Broadway

• Pageant: The Musical, 2014
• The Last Smoker in America, 2012
• Einstein's Dreams, 2009
• Five Course Love, 2005
• Seor Discretion Himself, 2004
• It's Only Life, 2004

Other

• Show Boat at the San Francisco Opera directed by Francesca Zambello with Bill Irwin, Harriet Harris, and Patricia Racette
• Young Frankenstein at the Ogunquit Playhouse and Gateway Playhouse
• Anywhere I Wander: The Frank Loesser Songbook, 2012 Debut with the New York Philharmonic
• Same Time, Next Year with Eve Plumb, September 2011 at the Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven, NJ
• A Christmas Story: The Musical, 2009, 2010, 2011 National Tour
• The Music Man, 2011

Filmography

• 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt 2015 (TV series) - Bus Driver
• Blue Bloods 2014 (TV series) - Tom Pincus
• The Good Wife 2011 (TV series) - Jason Doyle
• Boardwalk Empire (2011) (TV series) - Carl Switzer
• Gossip Girl (2009-2012) (TV series) - Bruce Caplan
• The Savages (2007 film) - Man in Mall Lot
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2006) (TV series) - Episode: "Vacancy"
• All My Children (2006 Season) - D.A. John Summerhill

Awards

• 2014 IRNE Award (Independent Reviewers of New England) nomination for Best Visiting Performer in A Christmas Story: The Musical
• Named one of The Boston Globe Top Ten Performance of the year for A Christmas Story: The Musical
• 58th Annual Drama Desk Nomination for Best Featured Actor in A Christmas Story: The Musical
• 2012 Footlight Award for Best Actor from the Seattle Times for A Christmas Story: The Musical
• 2008 City Spirit Award in Rochester, New York (his hometown).
• 2004 BAT (Bay Area Theatre) nomination for The Opposite of Sex