John Beasley’s Wife of Almost 60 Years Supported His Dreams & Inspired Her Family

John Beasley and his wife, Judy Beasley, shared a love of the arts, which they passed on to their children. After he made it big as an actor, Judy Beasley was her husband's biggest supporter, and the couple had celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage before his recent death.

Although he only started his acting career later in life, John Beasley was a beloved actor from Nebraska commonly known for his role as the school bus driver Irv Harper on "Everwood" and his fatherly role in the comedy "The Soul Man."

However, his acting talents saw him marvel in front of the camera and on the stage. John Beasley acted opposite legends Oprah Winfrey in "Brewster Place" and Robert Duvall in "The Apostle." He was also set to realize a decades-long dream of performing on Broadway.

Unfortunately, fans could not see John bring his sparkle to the new musical adaptation of the best-selling novel and hit film "The Notebook." His eldest son revealed that the veteran stage-screen actor died in a hospital in his hometown of Omaha at the end of May 2023.

After undergoing a series of tests on his liver, the actor's health took an unexpected turn for the worst—his death rocking his family in its wake. The actor is survived by his two sons and wife, Judy, who had been by her husband's side for over half a century until death did them part.

Who Is John Beasley's Wife?

Judy is a musician skilled in the violin, piano, and harp. She also uses her musical gifts at the Hope Lutheran Church, where she serves as the music minister and performs with the Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha.

John and Judy bonded over both music and their strong spiritual ties. Her late husband was a deacon at Hope Lutheran Church, and she often inspired him with her "faith walks." Whenever John, who has been singing since he was a young man, led spirituals, Judy would be by his side. An artistic couple, their eldest son said:

"Art is in our DNA."

Judy Became John Beasley's Biggest Supporter

In 2022, Judy and John celebrated 56 years of marriage. She was by his side when he was elected a spokesman at a press conference for the black community. She also followed her husband to Philadelphia in 1968 after he faced harassment, threatening phone calls, and law enforcement surveillance.

"It was a nervous time, but he didn't let me on to anything that was really bad," Judy said. She also supported her husband when he pursued a career as an actor at 45 and was his biggest supporter when he made it big. Judy shared:

"I believed in him. We all have gifts, and he obviously had that gift, and when you have a gift, you should use it."

In July 2012, Judy walked the red carpet with her husband at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. She was also his plus-one to the premiere of the drama film "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" in New York City in April 2017, the same year he landed the role of Mr. Dadney in the series "Shots Fired," co-starring Sanaa Lathan and Helen Hunt.

Before his death, John revealed that he was always content with the pace at which his career moved. Although other people looked down on him for his occupations before becoming an actor, including being a janitor, the actor was always fueled by his love of theatre. "I have no regrets," John said.

And while Judy inspired him, John inspired his eldest son to pursue a career in the film industry. John was also the catalyst behind his second son Michael's athletics career. Following his father's passing, Michael took to Facebook to share that he had lost his hero and hoped his life efforts had made his father proud.