Obituary for John (Jack) J. Idakitis
November 19, 1955-June 21, 2026
John J. Idakitis, 70, passed away from complications related to congestive heart failure on June 21, surrounded by his loved ones at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center.
John was born in Morristown, NJ, the son of Dorris Flagg (Idakitis) and Joseph Idakitis, and the second of three children. Early in life, John and his family moved to Somers Point, NJ where John (known as Jack then) grew up and lived until he graduated from Mainland Regional High School.
From an early age, John showed a keen interest in books, theatre, and writing. He moved to Northfield, Minnesota to attend Carleton College (or as he liked to call it– “The Harvard of the Midwest”), returning to South Jersey each summer to work and enjoy the beach until graduating from Carleton. It was at Carleton that John became a stand-out in stage performances, including Jean Paul Sartre’s Waiting for Godot and Hamlet. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, graduating in 1977. John remained friends with his fellow Hamlet cast member, Dr. John Grouse, and many other Carleton alums and New Jersey friends until his passing. In addition to his love of theatre and acting, John had a passion for basketball, Irish poetry, humor, satire, animals, music, swimming, and martial arts.
After graduating from Carleton, John set out for California with friends to pursue his acting career, first living in San Francisco, where he attended and performed at the American Conservatory Theatre while working as a shipping manager for Reese Palley Galleries, then later moving to Los Angeles as his acting career took hold.
John had a quick and brilliant mind which served him well as he immersed himself in roles in film, television, and on stage. He commanded roles from a tortured drug addict “Lee” in Hill Street Blues, to a restaurant waiter in George Lucas’ Howard the Duck, to a 2010 episode of Criminal Minds, to recent performances at the Victory Theatre including roles in The End of Sex and as Gus in Faithless. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Throughout his life, John loved dogs. He had a special way with animals and often said that the unconditional love of a dog was one of the purest forms of love in the universe. From his beloved Arnie in the 70s, to his current pup, Athena, he loved and cared deeply for them all.
John is preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorris Flagg and Joseph Idakitis, and his great-nephew, Finnias. He is survived by his sister Leigh and brother Bill, both of Bloomsburg, PA, six nephews, and four great-nieces and great-nephews. For over 30 years, John shared his life with Sandy Mitchell, Shadow Hills, CA, and her now-grown daughters, Stacy and Nicole. He cherished being a father figure to Stacy and Nicole, and they, in turn, considered John their stepdad. John’s family, friends, neighbors, and
colleagues will miss his quick wit, insights, love, talents, and unique worldview terribly.
John’s family and friends will gather to celebrate his life where he tripped the footlights
at The Victory Theatre Center, 3326 W. Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA on July 19 th at 2pm.
All who knew and loved John are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to:
The Victory Theatre Center, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505
https://thevictorytheatrecenter.org/
Comments
We were friends and had some adventures together--including a trip from MN to CA, when he had just graduated. (I was also headed there, and I had a car...)
My heart goes out to his loved ones--Sandy and kids. The brilliant spark of energy he had--that radiated from the stage and on camera--led him in different directions. His legacy will certainly include the love and support it extended.
I am very sorry to hear that John has passed away; I was hoping that he would attend the 50th reunion and that we could reconnect there. We met freshman week on second Myers. I remember his Carleton performances in Caucasian Chalk Circle, Mother Courage, and The Real Inspector Hound (directed by Dave McCandless '77 and featuring English Professor Jim McDonnell, and several of us acting as bored audience members at the play-within-a-play). John's talents were already evident. It is impressive that he could turn his passion into a career in such a competitive profession. He will be missed. My condolences to his loved ones.
I am extremely saddened to learn of John's passing. I too was an alumnus of Second Myers. I feel fortunate I had a phone call with John in May, little realizing it would be the last time i'd speak with him. His wit, energy and drive always endeared him. We also shared a love of music. He managed to enhance my classical and jazz tastes with David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and a host of others. My heart goes out to Sandy and family. He was one of a kind and I miss him greatly.
I knew John both as a student and as an extraordinarily talented, sensitive and generous actor—who had the gift of understanding and bringing to full life whatever character he played. I loved watching John’s work which always illuminated the play.
My heart goes out to John’s family.