John Simone

John was born in Portland Oregon, where he took place in a social experiment to see what would happen if a child had no supervision and was fed a steady diet of sitcoms and movies. The findings were inconclusive, but it was entertaining to observe the subject, banging on drums, making faces and doing voices. His first experience as an entertainer came at the age of two, playing the jug in his Mom's band. His first on set experience came at the age of eight, as an extra in the Raquel Welch film, Kansas City Bomber. He spent a chunk of his youth doing plays and sketches, but didn't take the prospect of being a professional seriously until he attended La Salle high school. It was his time there under the tutelage of his teacher and friend, Ernie Casciato, that John seriously considered a life in entertainment. After graduating in 1982, he moved to Los Angeles and took a job at the movie theatre made famous in the film, Fast Times At Ridgmont High. He later took an entry level position at Viacom, where he learned more about the business he wanted to be in. His first professional union work came in 1984 on the TV show Fame. John continued to work in television and film as an actor, extra, stand-in and photo double in LA until 1991. After a brief stint, writing material for some comedians, John moved back to Portland, where he continued to act and write. In 1992 magician Rudy Coby invited John to perform in his comedy magic show, as he began what would become a national and international tour. John took on the role of Rudy's meddlesome assistant "Atom", doing live performances and making television appearances, including three comedy magic specials. Inspired by the world of magic, John created a flamboyant magician persona and became known as "Wizardo Stardust", appearing on stage and in a series of short films.