John “Johnny” DeLuca is an American actor and singer. Born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, he is the eldest of three brothers. He grew up as an athlete before his experience playing as Scarecrow in a stage play of “The Wizard of Oz” during high school convinced him to pursue acting. He would then later graduate from Fordham University in New York with a degree in theater.

John de Luca — Shirt by Express
Blazer & pants by Hugo Boss
Sunglasses by Ray-Ban

It was in 2013 when DA MAN first got the chance to speak with John DeLuca, and a lot has happened since his “Teen Beach Movie” days. Apart from staring in the movie’s sequel, “Teen Beach Movie 2”, he also appeared in an episode of “How to Get Away with Murder.” He landed a recurring role in “Days of Our Lives” and in the second longest running TV series ever, “General Hospital.”

As we caught-up again with DeLuca, we were eager to learn more about what he’s been up to.

John de Luca — Shirt by Soulstar
Jaclket by Banana Republic
Jeans by Pacsun
Shoes by Clarks

DA MAN (DA): We last spoke to you in 2013. What are some of the highlights of your career since then?

John DeLuca (JD): Oh, man … time flies, huh? Yes, it’s been a little while and a lot has happened. Just in this last year alone I’ve done four movies—with a fifth upcoming this winter—two shows, two shorts and voiceover work in three video games. None of that has come out yet, but I’m super excited for all of it to start rolling on into the world. A few of the highlights from previous years would definitely have to be: Getting the opportunity to shoot a “Teen Beach,” sequel, working with hilarious SNL cast members in the Lorne Michael’s/Netflix movie “Staten Island Summer” and working on “General Hospital”! Otherwise I’ve worked on four movies just in this past year with another one coming up this winter—all of which I’m super excited about.

DA: We heard you worked on “American Horror Story: 1984” recently. How was that experience for you?

JD: Yes! Having been a big fan of the show for years, it was really cool to be part of an episode. And I love the ’80s, so the part was a lot of fun for me. I got to be all decked out in ’80s gear—yes there’s spandex involved—and do some dancing. But it’s funny, when I got the part I had no idea there was going to be dancing. Then I got a dance rehearsal schedule and was like, “Oh, okay, I guess I’m doing a full out jazzercise routine in spandex—nice!” And it was also my first time doing any sort of VFX makeup. I had to go in and get a whole silicone mold taken of my head and chest. I’ve always been fascinated by that stuff, so to see it done first hand and then to see it on screen was awesome. It was a great experience, though I do I wish I could have lived a little longer.

DA: Your look has also changed since we last spoke, what with your long hair and all…

JD: It has, yeah. It happened over this past year and it was kind of by accident, I guess. I was shooting a movie last summer and when I showed up to set on my first day my hair was slightly overgrown. I assumed they were going to want to cut it, but they ended up liking it, so we kept it. And then that same thing just kind of kept happening. I’d book a job and assume they’d want my hair short but they’d wind up liking it long. Over the holidays this past year I was about to cut it out of frustration—because the in-between stages can be rough—but a director friend convinced me to keep it long for a high school hockey project we were about to start working on. So, here I am. I kind of like the change, though. I had the same short haircut for my first eight years in L.A. Sometimes it’s good to shake things up a little bit.

John de Luca — Shirt by All Saints
Jeans by Guess
Bracelet by M-Pop
Watch by Rolex

DA: Who are some filmmakers that you’re currently hoping to work with?

JD: Well, I’ll start by saying that I’d love to keep working with Ryan Murphy. I did a small part for him in a different project recently—not sure if I can say which just yet—and I would love to keep being involved in his work. I feel like he’s always pushing boundaries and creating cutting edge material. And I love that. In the comedy world, I’d really love to work with Judd Apatow. I just really dig his brand of comedy and would jump at the opportunity to work with him in any capacity. There’s also Todd Strauss-Shulson who I’ve been lucky enough to work with in the past. But I just think he’s been making some really smart and funny movies, and would love to team up with him again at some point in the future. Outside of comedy, Damien Chazelle, Jordan Peele and Ari Aster are all making some beautiful and badass films. And then of course it’d be an absolute dream to work with guys like Scorsese and Spielberg. Go big or go home!

John de Luca — Top by Calvin Klein
Jeans by Soulstar
Watch by Rolex

DA: If you could have anyone’s career right now, who would it be and why?

JD: Am I allowed to say DiCaprio? I mean that might be too obvious but his cannon of work is just unreal. Otherwise I’d say Timothée Chalamet. Which is probably another obvious one but whatever. And it’s funny to be saying that about the career of a kid so much younger than myself, but it’s true. He’s enormously talented and has gotten some incredible opportunities thus far to show what he can do. I think those opportunities will continue for him and I expect him to continue to impress. I can’t really think of a better situation to be in than his.

DA: If you could choose to live in any other time period, what era would you want to live in? And would you still be an actor?

JD: It’d probably have to be in the Golden Age of Hollywood. And, yeah, I’d absolutely be an actor. I just can’t really picture myself doing anything else and I have so much love for classic movies. I’d want to have en epic career that lasted from the ’30s through the ’60s —and I’d get to work in the industry at the same time as legends like Brando, Carey Grant, Gene Kelly, Marilyn, etc. That’s just such a magical time period to me and I’d want to stick myself right in the middle of it.

John de Luca — Hat by New Era
Sunglasses by Ray-Ban
Bracelet by M-Pop
Watch by Rolex

DA: Favorite movie you’ve seen this year?

JD: Probably “Midsommar.. It’s so beautiful and yet so jarring, weird and unnerving all at the same time. You walk out of the theater not knowing exactly how you feel, but you know you feel something. And you keep thinking about the film. I just think Ari Aster is brilliant. I loved “Hereditary” last year for the same reasons.

DA: What are some of your favorite TV shows that you are watching now?

JD: Well, I end up binging everything I watch so I finish them pretty quickly. But I devoured “Fleabag.” It’s soooo freaking good. I love “Marvelous Ms. Maisel,” “Russian Doll,” “Handmaid’s Tale,” “Pen15,” “Black Mirror,” “Chernobyl” and I’m currently in the process of working through both “Mad Men” and “The Sopranos for the first time—I know, I know … I’m late to the party—and loving them both obviously. There’s so much great television out there it’s insane.

John de Luca — Shirt by H&M
Jeans by Pacsun
Bracelet by M-Pop
Watch by Rolex

DA: If you could work on any show right now as an actor, what would it be?

JD: If “Game Of Thrones” was still on the air it would be that for sure, but since it’s not I’ll have to say one the upcoming “GOT” spinoff series’! Maybe the prequel that they’re currently working on. To work on any part of that franchise—something so historic and epic in proportion—would be the ultimate job I think.