On Wednesday, July 13, Pat John, a member of the shshálh Nation who gained international recognition for his role as Jesse Jim on the classic television series The Beachcombers, passed away at a relative’s house in Sechelt.
After Sunset, the final Beachcombers episode, aired on December 12, 1990, Pat John started a new job in fishing and clamming.
Following his appearance in the 2002 made-for-TV movie The New Beachcombers, John did not make a comeback to the big screen.
Pat John: Who Is He? shocking death of an actor
In his portrayal as the loyal business partner to wood salvager Nick Adonidas, played by Bruno Gerussi, Pat John led a vanguard of Indigenous television performers in unorthodox roles.
John attended the Sechelt’s St. Augustine’s Indian Residential School, which shut its doors in 1975. He got out of school early to work at a sawmill close by.
In 1971, John received a call from one of his previous instructors who advised him to attend an audition for the part of a 16-year-old Indigenous kid in a brand-new TV series.
He performed a rambling monologue, tested the camera, and then returned to his duties at the sawmill. A half year later, he was hired for 10 weeks at a salary of $600 a week.
Jesse Jim, a member of The Beachcombers, died at the age of 69.
Just three months before the illustrious series, which made its premiere in October 1972, marks its 50th anniversary, Pat John passed away. Beginning on September 11, 1971, Gibsons began filming.
The show’s unaired pilot episode, “Jesse’s Car,” gave away just how much of an impact the unassuming John would have on the course of the 19-season CBC Television series in its title.
When Degrassi reached its 387th episode, Beachcombers’ record for the longest-running Canadian TV drama was just 10 years old.
The health of John, who was 69 years old, had been declining for some time.
How Much Money Did Pat John Make?
The Beachcombers were a substantial source of income for Pat John throughout his career. According to accounts, he made a respectable $600k every week.
John handled the tension between irritable Nick (Bruno Gerussi) and satirical foe Relic with ease and strength, turning Jesse Jim into the audience’s dependable buddy (Robert Clothier). Jesse was naturally humorous.
Syndicated and broadcast in more than 50 countries, Beachcombers. John’s quick international reputation as an Indigenous young role model caused issues early in the series. In March 1974, he was briefly fired after leading law police on a quick chase to Earl’s Cove.