Johnathan Sturgess

Johnathan Sturgess is a Chicago native and emerging actor, animator, filmmaker, voice performer, and music artist whose work centers on creativity, representation, and self-advocacy. From an early age, Johnathan was drawn to cartoons and superheroes, especially fast-paced, action-packed stories. He watched his favorite shows in any language available, including Spanish, developing a broad and global appreciation for storytelling and visual culture. A lifelong collector of action figures, he spent his childhood immersed in heroic worlds that fueled his imagination and love of characters. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnathan began working in film, starring in two short films, Drawing John and Ice Cream. He played the lead roles of John and James, with both projects built specifically around him. These early performances established his presence as a young actor whose voice, personality, and lived experience helped shape the stories being told. Alongside acting, he explored voice impressions and simple character sound work, expanding his range as a performer. During the pandemic, Johnathan became increasingly aware that many kids like himself were not represented in the stories they watched. Wanting to hear his own voice and see himself reflected onscreen, he began advocating for greater visibility and authenticity. Rather than waiting to be included, he made the decision to create those stories himself so other kids could see someone they could identify with. In 2021, Johnathan began animating, marking a new chapter as a creator and director. His work has since earned recognition within the film community. He is a two-time nominated actor and the recipient of Best Young Director in Film Animation at the 5th Annual Nova Star Awards (2025). In addition to film and animation, Johnathan creates original music, which is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, and other major streaming platforms. Across all mediums, his work reflects a commitment to storytelling that is personal, imaginative, and rooted in making space for voices that are often left out.