Today, we had the fantastic opportunity to sit down with John D. LeMay, a name synonymous with fans of the horror genre. Best known for his role as Ryan Dallion in the cult classic TV series, Friday the 13th The Series, John has carved a unique niche in the world of entertainment. He also revisited the Friday universe in the film Jason Goes to Hell (1993), portraying Steven Freeman. Beyond the Friday franchise, John D. LeMay has a rich background in theatre, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
TC: How did you land the role of Ryan Dallion in Friday the 13th The Series?
JDL: I had been in Los Angeles for a couple of years, fortunate enough to secure an agent through my Chicago connections. I was going on numerous auditions, getting many callbacks, and Friday the 13th The Series was one of them. The callbacks took place at the iconic Paramount lot, which was incredibly exciting. During the callbacks, I worked with two talented actresses auditioning for the female lead, Robey and another Canadian actress named Star. The unusual thing was, I found out I got the part when I received a call for a wardrobe fitting. Thinking it was a bit backwards, I called my agent, and he confirmed that I had indeed secured the role. Usually, you get the part confirmed before wardrobe! Less than a week later, I was living in Toronto, Canada, ready to start filming.
TC: When you were filming the pilot episode, did you have any sense that Friday the 13th The Series would become such a hit?
JDL: Up until that point, my experience had primarily been in supporting roles and guest appearances on already established shows. I honestly had no idea what ingredients made a show truly successful. My main focus was the immediate opportunity: I knew I would be in Toronto for at least the initial 13 episodes. Success in the long term was not something I was considering at that moment.
TC: How many days were typically allocated to film a single episode of Friday the 13th The Series?
JDL: It generally took about 7 to 8 days to film one episode. There was often an overlap, with filming for the current episode happening alongside “pick-up” shots from the previous week’s filming. Interestingly, the pilot episode was actually the fourth episode we filmed. This allowed the production and the ensemble cast time to gel and find our rhythm. The producers wanted to ensure they presented the strongest possible episode as the pilot to make the best first impression.
TC: What was it like working with Louise Robey and Chris Wiggins, your co-stars in Friday the 13th The Series?
JDL: They were both fantastic to work with! Chris, in particular, was a true mentor. Being such a seasoned veteran, he really showed me the ropes of television production. He was a consummate professional. Louise Robey was incredibly driven, especially when it came to the business and promotional aspects of the show. I honestly don’t know where she found the energy for it all… For me, just concentrating on the acting was demanding enough!
TC: Do you have a favorite episode from your time on Friday the 13th The Series?
JDL: Having recently revisited the series since its DVD release (yes, I had to buy them on Amazon myself!), I’ve rediscovered so many favorites. I particularly love season 1. “Cupid’s Quiver” was the very first episode we shot, and I have fond memories of it. It was directed by Atom Egoyan, and I really enjoyed working with him. “Shadow Boxer” is another one that stands out. In that episode, I had the opportunity to really stretch as an actor. I was possessed by cursed boxing gloves in one scene, which was a fun and challenging acting exercise. “Faith Healer” was also great, especially because we got to work with horror legend David Cronenberg. I do remember the climax of that episode being slightly comical. Robey and I were supposed to arrive dramatically on scene… on kids’ bikes. We both remember thinking, “Really? Bikes?” We were so used to the monster Mercedes by that point, pulling up on bicycles felt a little silly. “The Baron’s Bride” was awesome because of the black and white sequences when we traveled back in time. I also have warm memories of “The Poisoned Pen” and “Pipe Dream” as my Dad was an extra in both of those episodes, which was a special experience. “Eye of Death” is definitely a memorable episode for a different reason. Wanting to expedite the shooting schedule, I agreed to do a stunt in a single take. I was handcuffed on the back of a horse that Robey was driving, and on that first take, I was promptly bucked off onto the frozen ground. With no way to brace myself, I ended up with a massive bruise all the way up my hip. Lesson very much learned that day!
TC: Do you have any regrets about leaving Friday the 13th The Series after the second season?
JDL: The decision to leave Friday the 13th The Series was made by the person I was at that time in my life. That younger version of myself felt a strong need to move on and explore other opportunities. However, I genuinely regretted leaving the incredible group of people I was working with. Everyone involved with the show was so tremendous; it truly felt like a family. I grew immensely as both an actor and as a person during my time on the show. I acquired many valuable tools and skills that I still utilize to this day. On a more personal note, I also learned a less positive lesson – that as a series star, I had a certain amount of leverage and could try to address perceived injustices, whether for myself or the crew, by making demands. However, temper tantrums and displays of bad behavior never felt authentic to me, and I started to feel uncomfortable in my own skin acting that way.
TC: Did you realize the level of success Friday the 13th The Series had achieved while you were still working on it?
JDL: The producers and network executives kept telling us it was a success and kept extending the season orders, so logically, you figure you must be doing something right. But outside of that, I didn’t truly grasp the broader impact or reach of the show at the time. Star Trek: The Next Generation and Friday the 13th The Series were groundbreaking as the first syndicated shows. The sales pitch to local stations was essentially, “Do you want Star Trek? Well, if you do, you have to take Friday the 13th The Series too!” We, in a way, rode in on the coattails of Star Trek‘s immense popularity. However, I believe our show was able to distinguish itself and develop its own dedicated fanbase. We had some exceptional episodes and, admittedly, some that were less strong, but overall, the production team should be incredibly proud of what we consistently achieved week after week under the pressures of episodic television. The show’s eventual cancellation was somewhat baffling; it was taken off the air when stations across the country decided that a highly-rated show at 10 pm could perform even better if moved to 8 pm. In hindsight, it was a mistake.
TC: The character of Ryan Dallion showed significant development and matured considerably throughout the first season of Friday the 13th The Series. What do you attribute to that character arc?
JDL: I always primarily took my cues for Ryan’s character development directly from the scripts. Additionally, it didn’t take Ryan long to fully grasp the immense responsibility he had inherited along with the cursed antiques. Not to mention, the writers seemed to enjoy giving me storylines where Ryan would develop a romantic interest, only for that girlfriend to invariably meet a tragic end. Experiencing that level of dramatic heartbreak on a regular basis will mature anyone rather quickly!
TC: Do you maintain contact with your former co-stars from Friday the 13th The Series?
JDL: I spoke with both Chris Wiggins and Louise Robey about a year ago. I am also friends with Louise on Facebook, which is a great way to stay updated. I also keep in touch with a few people from the production crew. Every now and then, I’ll run into a Canadian actor living in Los Angeles who had a guest role on Friday the 13th The Series, which is always a fun surprise.
TC: How did your return to the Friday the 13th franchise come about with Jason Goes to Hell?
JDL: I was spending time with a friend, Sam Mahoney, who had been an Assistant Director on some episodes of Friday the 13th The Series in Toronto. He was in Los Angeles prepping Jason Goes to Hell with director Adam Marcus when the actor initially cast for the part had to drop out unexpectedly. Because of my previous connection to the franchise, and because of Sam’s recommendation, I was offered the role. I didn’t even have to audition. And, to be honest, I really needed the work at that time.
TC: Are you currently working on any new projects? Is there anything you’ve worked on recently that you would like to mention?
JDL: I am currently in the early stages of conceptualizing a horror short film with some colleagues. Hopefully, it will be a kind of love letter to the fans who have supported me over the years. Presently, I am performing in a critically acclaimed theatrical production at the Open Fist Theatre Company called Footnotes. It’s been extended through February and is directed by Scott Paulin (you might remember him from The Quilt Of Hathor). The production involves 26 actors, 12 pieces of furniture, and two one-act plays written by the esteemed Horton Foote. I even get to sing some old Stanley Brothers gospel songs in it. It’s proving to be one of my most rewarding experiences as an actor to date.
TC: Are you open to attending more fan conventions in the future? Perhaps even a Friday the 13th The Series reunion event?
JDL: It is always a genuine pleasure to meet the fans. I’ve had a blast at the two conventions I’ve attended so far. The fans often know the show even better than I do! It’s fascinating to hear what aspects of the series they have connected with over the years. I would absolutely love to participate in a Friday the 13th The Series reunion. It would be so much fun to reconnect with Louise Robey and Chris Wiggins again.
To learn more about John D. LeMay and his work, visit his website: johndlemay.com
