Jesse Johnson, Class of 1985, began producing films in England shortly after he left Dolphin, The Old Priest being his first.

He then moved to Hollywood where he earned a living as a stunt man and appeared as a stunt performer or stunt coordinator in a number of films including Planet of the Apes, Mars Attacks!, Charlie's Angels, Starship Troopers, Mercury Rising, Terminator 3, The Core, Black Dog, Total Recall, In Enemy Hands, War of the Worlds, Mission Impossible 3 and Beowulf.

He was assistant director on The Shawshank Redemption and The Birdcage. At the same time he was writing his own film scripts and is now a successful writer/director of films. His films to date are The Butcher (2007) Alien Agent (2007) The Last Sentinel (2007) The Fifth Commandment (2006) Pit Fighter (2005) The Honorable (2002) Death Row the Tournament (Award Winning Short Subject) Old Priest (Award Winning Short Subject). He has also directed The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.

His latest film Charlie Valentine has just opened.  Jesse both wrote and directed it and the story behind how it came to be is fascinating.  The idea came to him after he met his father for the first time last year.  To read an interesting interview click  the link below.  The film was invited to the Cannes Film Festival where it was well received.  It won the prize for the best screen writer at the Monaco Film Fesitval.  His wife Jamie, a photographer, has also bee invited to show her work at Cannes at the same time!  http://www.beyondhollywood.com/dvd-giveaway-rick-yune-in-the-fifth-commandment His previous film Greenstreet 2 came out last year.   

Jesse has also made a number of commercial spots and music videos. He lives in Hollywood with his wife Jamie and daughters Lillianna and Violet.