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Beginning his career at 14 performing in Brooklyn waterfront bars, John Pieplow—producer, writer, director, musician, and songwriter—often played weekend gigs with Chuck Berry and The Platters while still in high school. He later attended NYU and the New School, earning a Master’s in Film and occasionally lecturing in the Graduate Film Program. His Master’s thesis film, "Watcher By The Dead," featuring a young Annabella Sciorra, was showcased at the Toronto Film Festival.
Following a chance meeting with Uta Hagen, John directed hundreds of scenes with actors at HB Studios.
Fresh out of college, appearing older than his age but with limited experience, John was hired as Film Designer for the Broadway production of "Lolita"—a pioneering front-of-house credit. The show, starring Donald Sutherland and written by Edward Albee, with whom John shared a warm rapport, marked a significant step in his career.
While directing off and off-off Broadway plays, John again served as Film Designer for the Tony-nominated Broadway musical "Baby," earning rave reviews, including from Frank Rich of The New York Times.
For Playwrights Horizons and Andre Bishop, John garnered acclaim as Film Designer for "Terra Nova," the first produced play by Oscar-winner Ted Tally.
Alongside his theater success, John produced, wrote, and directed hundreds of award-winning TV and radio commercials for clients such as American Express, American Airlines, Revlon, Procter & Gamble, AT&T, GE, Westinghouse, and numerous travel and leisure brands like Lowe’s and Hilton Hotels.
He directed the Peter Allen Rockefeller Center Fiftieth Anniversary Show and worked with Gregory Hines and Lionel Hampton on the Coty Awards and the Black Designer of the Year Awards at FIT, where he also collaborated with Audrey Hepburn on Givenchy’s 30th Anniversary.
John directed and produced the highly successful Michael Jackson/Pepsi campaign launch, one of the most notable corporate collaborations with a musical artist.
After relocating to Los Angeles, John directed and co-created the play "Red River Rats" with author Paul Gillette, known for the novel "Play Misty For Me," Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut. The "Red River Rats" premiere, featuring an all-star cast, received a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
Before the streaming era, John wrote and directed "Jurassic Women," a comedic sci-fi/martial arts spoof filmed in six days on a $36,000 budget. The film became a favorite at the American Film Market and was spotlighted in the Los Angeles Times with the headline "On A 'Jurassic Women' Trade Strategy." It sold pre-release rights worth millions and aired regularly as a late-night feature on USA Network for years.
He also directed the Sony Pictures-theatrical release "StrangeLand," starring Kevin Gage, Elizabeth Pena, Amy Smart, Linda Cardellini, and Robert England, which developed a cult following.
A member of both the WGA and DGA, John has written and revised numerous movie scripts and TV shows.
After returning from a writing-directing project, "Rose of Connemara," in Ireland, John began performing his distinctive blend of jazz, blues, and rock music around Los Angeles as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter.
This endeavor quickly expanded when renowned literary manager and harmonica player Joel Gotler (Sting) joined John’s band. Live Nation soon booked them for increasingly larger venues, including the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
John has opened for acts such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Foreigner, Huey Lewis and the News, Ambrosia, Chicago, The Yardbirds, Davy Jones, Maria Muldaur, and Adam Lambert.
He co-wrote and produced the soundtrack album "Biker Run" with Chris Squire (Yes), featuring Michael Ironside and Sean Young, also directing the film.
John composed and performed the entire soundtrack for Lorne Michaels-produced ABC prime-time satire "Sons and Daughters," starring Brie Larson.
He has secured multiple recording contracts, released two albums, and earned numerous music awards including "Best Solo Artist," "Album of the Year," and "Best Alternative Band." His music is available on Prime, Apple, Amazon, and Spotify, where he also hosts a 24-hour station called "John Pieplow Radio.
