Biography for
John A. Willingham More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Greenville, South Carolina, USA

Birth Name

Christopher-John Alan Willingham

Nickname

Jesse James
J.W.
Willie

Height

6' 0½" (1.84 m)

Mini Biography

Willingham is a former member of the multi World titled dance team and two time National Champions (1990 and 1991) "Silver Bullets". The Silver Bullets have been respected and known globally for their intense level of standards during performances, major titles and competitions as well as their creation and innovation of dance steps and moves that have influenced many well known and respected choreographers world wide. Willingham was mentored by many great and well known dance instructors from a young age including three time World Champion Simone Nicholes as well as three time World Champion Burton Edwards. John's ability to create a unique style of his own (often referred to and labeled as a Micheal Jackson style), as well as drive and ability to innovate and design dance steps and moves as well as his reputation for cranking up the level of competition especially as his opponents where reaching exhaustion usually caught the attention of judges very quickly in a very appealing way as well as lead to quite a few wins and championship titles. In his mid and late teens Willingham also taught exclusive dance workshops for fellow instructors as well as select intermediate level students though out the southeastern United States especially. His many wins include a national title in couples team and four member team during the late eighties and early nineties. John was later invited to the mother church of dance and The Dance Hall of Fame also known as the Stompin' Grounds in Maggie Valley and offered a personal invitation to become a member of the very elite and highly sought after and greatly respected World Champion Magnum dance team, Although John dedicated much of his life, long awaited and revered such an invitation regretfully he wasn't able to join due to unfortunate hardships in his life at the time.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Nicole Vanderbilt

Spouse

Leah Ross

(2000 - 2002)

Trade Mark

White French cuff shirt and black dress dinner coat

Trivia

Son of Notorious and Legendary Film Maker , Humanitarian and Sound Mixer Carey Lindley (William C. Lindley Jr).

Personal caddy to President Bill Clinton. John first caddied for the president while the president was vacationing near the family ranch in Jackson Wyoming during his first term as president and played one of John's home courses The Teton Pines Country Club (1995).

Veteran Member of the U.S.T.R.C. (United States Team Roping Championships).

Was inducted and became a member of the prestigious Hollywood Film Making Society's Hollywood 695, I.A.T.S.E. Production Sound Mixers, Television and Studio Engineer and Technicians Guild on May 9th 1997 and is among the youngest in Hollywood history to be inducted and voted in.

Member of the U.S.G.A. (United States Golf Association.) since 2003.

John worked on John Wayne's ranch in southern California as head of maintenance in between movies early in his career.

John's graduating High School EQ. G.P.A. honors were in the top 15% in North America .

When once asked about some of the unique experiences and accomplishments in his life and if there were any in particular that stood out in his mind , Willingham stated "I've been blessed with many once in a life time experiences and opportunities in my life and career , sometimes when I look back I cant believe some of them myself however delivering my little girl and becoming her father pales them all . When I look into my little girls eyes , time stands still and the world goes away" (referring to his daughter: Isabella Marie Willingham).

Was a drummer in several gospel bands when he was younger.

Animal rights advocate and spokesman.

Dedicates a lot of time to and is quite passionate about various children's charities. Advocate and contributor for such charities as Big Brother and other organizations that focus on underprivileged and single parent children .

Member of the P.R.C.A.

Was a drummer and former member of Jimmy Swaggart's Band.

Three time Krav Maga master. Has spent extensive time training and teaching Krav Maga with the Israeli military and special forces as well as with American military forces including many Navy Seal mission preparation tours. Expert in over force, counter intelligence, reverse force, defense against over powering force, fire arm and instrument defense, as well as situation surveillance and observation , evaluation and calculation .

Was detained for an extended period of time along with fellow crew members by Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard while covering covert mission operations in Iraq for a major news network and the The Department of Defense and the Intelligence Department.

Some of John's sponsors while competing in the P.R.C.A and U.S.T.R.C. included Jack Daniel's, Justin Boots, Classic Ropes, The Mirage Hotel Las Vegas, Harley Davidson , Coka Cola , John Deere, Cracker Barrel and Ford .

Is one of only seven Sound Mixers to ever be invited to the Ceremonial Roll and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Symposium as guest of honor and is the only recipient ever to be guest of honor more than once (twice) .

Where Are They Now

(January 2007) Resides in South Carolina, Idaho, California, New Mexico and Alabama.