John Allen Nelson

• Name — John Allen Nelson • Occupation — * Actor • screenwriter • Years Active — 1983–present John Allen Nelson is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his roles on television as Warren Lockridge on Santa Barbara, John D. Cort on Baywatch, Walt Cummings in 24 and Silas Bunch in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. He is also known for starring in the cult classic science fiction comedy horror film Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

Nelson portrayed original series character Warren Lockridge on the American soap opera Santa Barbara from August 1, 1984, to April 29, 1986. He starred as the title character in the low-budget 1987 comedy-fantasy Hunk where a nerd was transformed into a golden-tanned, muscular hunk after "leasing" his soul to the Devil. Nelson co-starred in the 1988 cult/sci-fi epic Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Nelson co-starred (and later recurred) in the early seasons of the series Baywatch as "John D. Cort," a lifeguard who is ultimately forced to retire because of retinitis pigmentosa. Later, Nelson co-starred with fellow Baywatch alum Gena Lee Nolin in the syndicated Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. Nelson also co-wrote the screenplay for the martial arts-yarn Best of the Best 2, which was released in 1993, as well as American Yakuza starring Viggo Mortensen. The following year, in 1994, Nelson co-wrote and co-starred in the movie Criminal Passion which featured Joan Severance and Anthony Denison. Nelson may be best known for his role as Walt Cummings in 24, or the role of Senator Jeffrey Collins in the 2006 Fox drama Vanished. Nelson also appeared as Paul, Monica Geller's boyfriend (also known as "The Wine Guy") in the first episode of Friends. His most recent role is Everett Reid in Virgin River.

• Year — Program or series — Role — Notes • 1983 — Loving — Duke Rochelle • 1984 — The Edge of Night — Jack Boyd • 1984–86 — Santa Barbara — Warren Lockridge • 1987 — Scarecrow and Mrs. King — Brian Dubinski • Hunter — Dr. Tim Donaldson • Buck James — Buddy Cronin • 1988 — Heartbeat — Bobby • 1989 — Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson — Frank Wellman Jr. • Quantum Leap — Capt. Bill 'Bird Dog' Birdell • 1989–90 — Booker — Ronald Arrizola • 1989, 1993 — Matlock — Terry Maslin, Bill Parker — two episodes • 1989–95 — Baywatch — John D. Cort • 1990 — Rich Men, Single Women — Travis • 1991 — Murder, She Wrote — Tod Sterling • 1994 — XXX's & OOO's — Andy St. James • Friends — Paul, The Wine Guy • Sweet Justice — Logan Wright • 1997 — Pensacola: Wings of Gold — Captain Tom Redding • 1998 — Seven Days — Mike Clary • Early Edition — Ricky Brown • 1999 — V.I.P. — FBI Agent Lambert • 2000–02 — Sheena — Matt Cutter • 2003 — Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding — John D. Cort • 2005 — CSI: Miami — Mike Rydell • 2005–06 — 24 — Walt Cummings • 2006 — Vanished — Senator Jeffrey Collins • 2007 — Close to Home — William Sheffield • Saving Grace — Buck Crussing • 2008 — Burn Notice — Lesher • Without a Trace — Mark Duncan • Knight Rider — Congressman Childress • Grey's Anatomy — Arthur Saltonoff • 2008–09 — Privileged — Arthur Smith • 2009 — Inside the Box — Special Agent Tompkins • Criminal Minds — Dan Murphy • Drop Dead Diva — D.A. Callahan • 2013 — Castle — Walter Dennis • 2014 — Crisis — President DeVore — Recurring • 2016–17 — Crazy Ex-Girlfriend — Silas Bunch • 2023 — Virgin River — Everett Reid