John Verea was born into a Cuban family. After the Cuban Revolution, his father recognized the increasing challenges of running a business in Cuba and made the difficult decision to move the entire family to the United States. The Verea family took a risky migration route that passed through Mexico and Arkansas before finally settling in New Jersey.
In a later interview, John reflected on his brief time living in the American South, describing it as “extremely rewarding” despite the social challenges of the time. In 1964, racial and ethnic prejudices in the United States posed difficulties for many immigrant families. During his early school years, a counselor reportedly remarked, “Well, you are neither Black nor White. Where will we put you?” Eventually, John was placed in a school designated for white students, where he initially faced bullying and exclusion. Over time, he developed a keen understanding of human behavior, which he later credited as a critical survival skill during his formative years.
After settling in New Jersey, John's father found stable employment, and John began to thrive academically. At the age of seventeen, he moved to Boston to enroll in a business school. However, a life-altering event changed his course: his apartment was burglarized, and he was held at gunpoint. The experience prompted a reevaluation of his life goals and priorities.
Determined to pursue a new path, John relocated to New York City and began studying drama and acting at Northeastern University. This marked the beginning of his journey into the performing arts.
John Verea landed several guest roles in television films and series early in his career. His credits during this time include appearances in Seduced and Betrayed, Noriega: God’s Favorite, My Little Assassin, Full Eclipse, From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One, Donato and Daughter, and A House of Secrets and Lies.
At the age of 21, with his acting career still in its infancy, Verea decided to travel to France. Drawn by inspiration from literary greats like Victor Hugo, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald—who had once walked the streets of Paris—his intended short visit extended into a seven-year stay. During his time in France, John lived a creatively rich lifestyle: he opened a bar, pursued photography, and immersed himself in the local culture before ultimately deciding to return to the United States.
| Net Worth 2021: | 1.5 million |
