John Michael Finley's biography begins with his birth in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he spent his early years before moving to Lebanon, Missouri, where he was raised alongside his four siblings, the second of five children born to Wayne and Betsy Finley. His early life was marked by a passion for singing and acting, which he pursued from a young age, beginning in junior high.
Finley's formal education took him to Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, where he honed his craft and began his professional acting career in the Chicago area, performing at esteemed theaters such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Writers' Theatre, Court Theatre, and Mercury Theatre.
In 2015, Finley made the bold move to New York City, where he made his Broadway debut as part of the ensemble in the iconic musical Les Miserables, also serving as the understudy for the iconic role of Jean Valjean. His film debut, I Can Only Imagine, was a significant milestone in his career, followed by his return to Broadway as the standby for Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon.
In 2018, Finley took his talents across the pond, making his West End debut in the same role of Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon, solidifying his status as a talented and versatile performer.
