John Henry Canavan, a born performer, was destined for greatness from a tender age. As a child, he was told he had a special gift and that following it would lead to extraordinary achievements. His passion for acting was evident even in his early years, as he began acting in school plays and writing his own scripts by the age of 11.
Born in Toronto, John was raised in Scarborough by his Irish-Scottish parents and four siblings. His exceptional talent was recognized early on, as he was accepted into the prestigious Etobicoke School of the Arts at the age of 15. He graduated with honors and won the William H Williams scholarship for actor of the year, an impressive feat considering he took on five major lead roles in five separate productions in one year.
John's academic pursuits took him to the University of Windsor, but his talent was soon recognized by the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, which awarded him the Full Scholarship Award, making him the first Canadian to receive the honor. By the age of 19, he found himself living on Broadway, traveling across the USA and Canada, and performing in a wide range of productions, from puppetry to improv, Shakespeare to Mamet.
John's breakthrough in film and television came after a successful production of Judith Thompson's "The Crackwalker" earned the cast a Jessie Award Nomination in Vancouver, Canada. He quickly became a sought-after talent, bouncing from one project to the next, and loving every minute of it. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of working with many renowned actors and directors.
In 2001, John reconnected with his acting academy sweetheart, Yael Schuster, and they married soon after. The couple moved back to New York in 2002, before making the bi-coastal move to Los Angeles in recent years. They share their lives with a menagerie of pets, including three cats and a dog.
