John and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on set - Mama 2013

JOHN NELLES

For over 35 years John Nelles has been working professionally in the arts. You’ll know him as an actor in film, television, stage, commercials, animation, voice over and video games. His expert skills in accents, stage combat, and movement have led to playing a wide variety of characters from period to contemporary; comedic and dramatic. From the dramatic Designated Survivor to his hilarious one-man stage show: Bert and I, of which Torontoist magazine said,"Nelles can act circles around anyone at Fringe, and he poured his heart and soul into the script….His accents are pitch perfect."

Behind the scenes, John has spent over 25 years as a trusted Dialect Coach for many of film and television’s biggest stars. Some of the awards and nominations actors have received for the roles he has coached them on: Tatiana Maslany:1 Emmy, 2 noms; 1 SAG, 1 Actra, 4 noms; TCA, 5 CSAs; 1 Critic's Choice, 2 Actor's Choice, 2 Dorian nom; 3 Golden Derbys, 1 Gracie; 2 IGN, 1 Young Hollywood, 4 OFTA noms, Golden Globe nom. William Hurt: Oscar nom, Film Critic's Awards from Austin, LA, NY, NT OFTA, UFCA, and more. Barry Pepper: Emmy, Gemini. Greg Kinnear : SAG nom, Emmy nom. Linus Roache: Golden Globe nom. Kim Coates: 2 Doras, Kristin Booth: Actra nom.

He has coached Anna Paquin, Idris Elba, Sam Neill 4 shows, Katie Holmes, Damian Lewis, Vanessa Redgrave, Ethan Hawke, Mark Strong, Noomi Rapace, Alex Siddig, Kristin Hagar, Lauren Holly, Jill Hennesy, Jordan Guvaris, Lena Headey, Sean Bean, Ksenia Solo, Ellen Dubin, Joseph Fiennes, Nicolaj Coster-Waldau, Michiel Husiman, and many more. Productions include: Orphan Black, Molly's Game, Stockholm, Georgetown.

John is a highly experienced teacher, and recently returned to George Brown College's Design School; Media & Performing Arts to teach Dialects. John has also taught numerous actors the art and craft of Stage Combat. He developed and instituted the program at the University of Iowa, and taught for 12 years at Canada`s well known George Brown Theatre School. He has served as Fight Director for many leading companies in Toronto: Theatre Plus, Canadian Stage, and Fight Director for 5 seasons at the world famous Shaw Festival, under Director Christopher Newton. He is also a certified Fight Director and Instructor with Fight Directors Canada. He served as a Vice President of FDC for over 10 years.

John holds a BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, and an MFA in Acting, from the University of Iowa. Some of the distinguished vocal coaches he has trained with include Kristin Linklater, Tina Packer, Paul Massie, and Howard Martin.

When not busy performing or coaching, he loves to spend time in the winter skiing, and has been a sought after professional ski instructor since 2004. He is certified in the Canadian CSIA, and the only certified Primary Movements Teaching System instructor in Canada east of the Rockies.

Member: ACTRA, CAEA; US/Canadian citizenship.
(VASTA) Voice and Speech Teachers Assoc.
AACE Association of Acting Coaches and Educators.
www.aactingcoacheseducators.ca
Please contact for more information and resumes.

NELLES NEWS:


John's new demo reel

ACTING

Appeared as Robert Shanley on Murdoch Mysteries S15, ep16 - It's a Wonderful Game

Appeared as Officer Lassiter in Life with Luca, dir. Ron Murphy.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATION

Above the Fold: A Personal History of the Toronto Star
by John & Robin Honderich, Penguin Randomhouse

On Foot to Canterbury: A Son's Pilgrimage
by Ken Haigh, Penguin Randomhouse

COACHING

Lead Aden Young for Law & Order Criminal Intent: Toronto series 1

Keeley Hawes for Orphan Black Echoes coming June 23, 2024

Cast of Apple+ Five Days at Memorial, dirs.: Carlton Cuse, John Ridley

The Boy in the Woods, Richard Armittage, and cast, dir: Rebecca Snow

Irena's Vow, Dougray Scott, Sophie Nelisse, dir: Louise Archambault

Darkest Miriam, Britt Lower, dir: Naomi Jaye

Queen of Bones, Taylor Shilling, dir: Rob Budreau

He coached multi-award and Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany
and the cast for all five seasons of Orphan Black.

THEATRE

JERUSALEM wins 7 Dora Awards 2018: including best ensemble; audience choice award for best play; and best actor for Kim Coates. John was the Dialect Coach for this production and is thrilled with their success.

VIDEO GAMES

Soon to be released Ubisoft's Gods and Monsters.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey was released Oct 5th, John coached the cast.

John is dialect coach on Ubisoft's Far Cry 5.

The soon to be released pirate adventure game Skull and Bones.

John plays Lieutenant-General James Brudenell,
7th Earl of Cardigan in newly released Assassin's Creed: Syndicate.

Worked as Dialect Coach for the DLC of Assassin's Creed: Syndicate.

Currently working on 4 upcoming games with Ubisoft.

Return here often for the newest content on John's upcoming game releases.




John's Aerius commercial aired internationally in Canada, Europe and Russia.
A highly successful six year campaign for Aerius.

John's new COMMERCIAL VOICE DEMO



PROFESSIONAL SKI INSTRUCTING

Is skiing your passion?

With over 50 years of skiing experience, John has been a professional ski instructor
since 2004, for both the CSIA , and is the only PMTS Blue level instructor
in Canada, east of the Rockies. Check it out: Harb Ski Systems.

follow John on Instagram John Nelles
John Nelles imdb