Biography
Jack Blessing was born and raised in suburban Baltimore. He started his professional career as a member of Boston's influential improvisational group "The Proposition." In his final year with "The Proposition," a Paramount casting director noticed him and cast him in the Emmy-winning television film The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978) alongside Alan Arkin. Shortly after, Jack relocated to New York City but stayed there briefly. Following another TV movie, Women at West Point (1979) with Linda Purl, he moved to Los Angeles.
After two years working in episodic television, a Roger Corman film, and the notorious Heaven's Gate (1980), Jack secured his first television series role in a Disney TV half-hour for CBS titled Small & Frye (1983). Darren McGavin portrayed "Nick Small," while Jack played "Chip Frye." In addition to Small & Frye, Jack starred in several other series. Alongside George C. Scott, he appeared in the Fox series Mr. President (1987) and, arguably his most recognizable role, played "MacGillicuddy" during the final two seasons of the TV classic Moonlighting (1985). Jack also portrayed "Mr. Donner" on the Téa Leoni series The Naked Truth (1995) and "Jack Powers" on George Lopez (2002). His episodic TV appearances exceed 100 and include roles in landmark shows such as M*A*S*H (1972), China Beach (1988), Thirtysomething (1987), Roseanne (1988), Northern Exposure (1990), NYPD Blue (1993), The X-Files (1993), and CSI (2010). Jack has also starred in numerous TV movies including LBJ: The Early Years (1987) with Randy Quaid, Amos (1985) with Kirk Douglas, Joshua's Heart (1990) with Melissa Gilbert, and the HBO film The Last of His Tribe (1992) featuring Graham Greene and Jon Voight.
In addition to his on-screen roles, Jack has provided his voice for over 3,000 movies and television shows.
He resides in Chatsworth, California, with his wife Lora. They have two sons, Ian and Christopher.
