高中毕业后，他来到加州寻找机会，在三个星期的挣扎中，他为自己赢得了第一个电影角色，在影片《回到未来》中饰演主人公的朋友，在续集中继续出演相同的角色。正式跨足影坛后，他最初多以反派角色出现，像最为人熟知的作品《航越地平线》中饰演一疯狂杀手，逼真的演出让观众印象深刻。...
John Shrapnel was born in Birmingham, the son of Norman and Myfanwy Shrapnel. He was brought up in Stockport and south London, attending City of London School and Cambridge University. He was an original member of the National Youth Theatre and has worked extensively in theatre, particularly the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre. He lives in Suffolk and London.
