• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
ned hardy logo

Ned Hardy

The Intriguing World Of Entertainment

  • Television
  • Movies
  • About Us
  • Contact

He Played ‘Doug Penhall’ On 21 Jump Street, See Peter DeLuise Now At 55

By Kelly OLone | January 15, 2023

Peter DeLuise

Peter DeLuise comes from a family of actors, with his father and two brothers also choosing a career in acting. DeLuise is known for his work in 21 Jump Street and Stargate SG-1, but the 6’2” actor has added director, producer, and writer to his resume. 

Early Life 

Peter John DeLuise was born in New York, NY, on November 6, 1966, to parents Dom DeLuise and Carol Arthur, who also were actors.

peter deluise mother and father

(Carol Arthur and Dom DeLuise)

DeLuise grew up with his two brothers, Michael and David, who are also actors.

The family moved to Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, soon after his birth, and it would be where DeLuise and his siblings attended elementary and high school. 

The family didn’t have much money, and DeLuise worked at an ice cream parlor for extra cash. While in high school, DeLuise was active in the theater department, and upon graduation, he chose not to enroll in college and pursue his acting career. 

The actor has been vocal about his challenges with weight, and while he played football in high school, he told People Magazine, “I was the fat kid, so as a defense mechanism, I was the jokester.”

Acting Career

Peter DeLuise - Diff'rent Strokes

DeLuise’s first onscreen appearance was in the 1979 film Hot Stuff, where he played Ernie Fortunato. Another of his earliest performances was in the 1983 TV movie Happy, where he shared the screen with his father, mother, and brother Michael. 

DeLuise has an acting career of over five decades and has recently shifted from acting to directing, writing, and producing. The actor has shared the screen with his father and brothers and continues to add credits to his resume. 

Once DeLuise began landing roles in film and television, he would continue to appear onscreen in movies like Free Ride (1986), Solarbabies (1986), Listen to Me (1989), and Children of the Night (1991). 

In addition to the big screen, he also scored roles in several television shows, including Booker (1989), Friends (1996), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1998), and The New Outer Limits (1998). 

Here’s a look at a few of his most memorable roles. 

Hot Stuff

In 1979, DeLuise starred in his first feature film, Hot Stuff, where his father, Dom, played Miami detective Ernie Fortunato who, along with his colleagues, was tired of his inability to convict criminals. Peter DeLuise played the role of Peter Fortunato and also starred Suzanne, Pleshette, Jerry Reed, and Luis Avalos.

DeLuise received his SAG (Screen Actors Guild) union card after appearing in Hot Stuff, which provides proof of your membership in the SAG-AFTRA.  

Facts of Life

In 1985, DeLuise appeared in one episode of the hit television sitcom Facts of Life, which centered around an all-girls private school in New York. The show was a spin-off of Diff’rent Strokes, another series DeLuise made a guest appearance on. 

21 Jump Street

Peter DeLuise - 21 Jump Street

One of DeLuise’s best-known roles was as Officer Doug Penhall in the series 21 Jump Street. In 1987, the actor made his debut on the hit FOX series and appeared alongside his brother, Michael, in the fifth season. 

DeLuise appeared in the series from 1987-1990 for a total of 84 episodes. The police series revolved around young-looking undercover cops investigating crimes committed in colleges, high schools, and other highly populated teen venues. 

Peter DeLuise and Johnny Depp - 21 Jump Street

In addition, the actor made a cameo in the 2012 film version of 21 Jump Street, starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, including an uncredited cameo by actor Johnny Depp. Depp, who also starred in the original television series, only agreed to be in the film if DeLuise would also appear. 

SeaQuest DSV

DeLuise landed the role of Dagwood in the science fiction series SeaQuest DSV from 1994-1996, appearing in 35 episodes. The show aired from 1993-1996 on NBC and revolved around a high-tech submarine, SeaQuest DSV 4600. The series also starred Roy Scheider and the late Jonathan Brandis. 

Stargate: Atlantis

The actor had an uncredited role in the television series Stargate-Atlantis, appearing in the second episode of season two. While the actor didn’t star in the series, he did produce 19 episodes between 2004-2005, served as a writer for two episodes in 2004, and directed six episodes from 2004-2006. 

Stargate SG-1

Peter DeLuise Stargate

From 1999-2006, DeLuise appeared in 15 episodes of Stargate SG-1, with many being uncredited roles. However, he directed 57 episodes of Stargate SG-1 between 1999 and 2007 and served as producer for 22 episodes from 2012-2013. In addition, he helped write 15 episodes of the series between 2000-2005.

DeLuise’s brothers, Michael and David, also appeared on the show. His brother David landed a recurring role on the show, in addition to Peter’s wife, Anne Marie. DeLuise named a character in the show Loder after his future wife at the time, Anne Marie Loder. 

What is Peter DeLuise doing now?

Peter DeLuise now

These days, DeLuise has shifted his attention behind the camera by directing, writing, and producing, including writing for an episode of the drama series When Calls the Heart in 2022. In addition, he produced 18 episodes of the live-action television series Level Up that aired on the Cartoon Network. 

In addition, DeLuise served as executive producer on the 2019 television movie All Summer Long, where he also starred. The actor has a long list of directing credits to his name, including Dark Matter (2016), Shadowhunters (2017-2018), and Love Under the Olive Tree (2020). 

Besides his appearance in All Summer Long, DeLuise’s most recent acting role was in one episode of the science fiction-fantasy television series Sanctuary (2011). 

The actor has an Instagram account but is not active on the social media site; however, he often “tweets” to his 31.5K followers on Twitter. 

Family Life

Peter DeLuise Wife

The actor was married from 1998-1992 to actress Gina Nemo, who also appeared in 21 Jump Street. In 2002, DeLuise married Anna Marie Loder (DeLuise), a Canadian actress who is known for her roles in Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) and Strange Empire (2014-2015); the couple has one child together, Jake, with his wife, Anna Marie DeLuise. 

Related Posts:

    She Played ‘Mindy’ On Mork And Mindy, See Pam Dawber Now At 70
    She Played ‘Mindy’ On Mork And Mindy, See Pam Dawber Now At 70
    She Played 'Evil-Lyn' In Masters of the Universe. See Meg Foster Now At 74.
    She Played 'Evil-Lyn' In Masters of the Universe. See Meg Foster Now…
    He Played 'Chunk' In Goonies. See Jeff Cohen Now At 48.
    He Played 'Chunk' In Goonies. See Jeff Cohen Now At 48.
    He Played 'Biff Tannen' in Back to the Future. See Thomas F. Wilson Now At Age 63. 
    He Played 'Biff Tannen' in Back to the Future. See Thomas F. Wilson…
    She Played 'Evie Ethel Garland' in Out of This World. See Maureen Flannigan Now At 48.
    She Played 'Evie Ethel Garland' in Out of This World. See Maureen…
    She Played 'Samantha Carter' In Stargate SG-1. See Amanda Tapping Now At 57.
    She Played 'Samantha Carter' In Stargate SG-1. See Amanda Tapping Now…
    She Played Lisa in Weird Science. See Kelly LeBrock Now at 62
    She Played Lisa in Weird Science. See Kelly LeBrock Now at 62
    She Played Andy in The Goonies. See Kerri Green Now at 56
    She Played Andy in The Goonies. See Kerri Green Now at 56
    She Played Kaylee Frye on Firefly. See Jewel Staite  Now at 40
    She Played Kaylee Frye on Firefly. See Jewel Staite Now at 40

About Kelly OLone

Kelly is a contributing writer who has been a TV and film junkie since an early age. When she’s not writing or binge-watching her favorite show, she’s trying to keep up with her three kids and rescue pup, Chloe.
More from Kelly

Primary Sidebar


Star Trek Actor Reveals His Humiliating Experience Working With The Seinfeld Actors


She Played ‘Nadia’ In American Pie. See Shannon Elizabeth Now at 49.


Rachael Leigh Cook Says It Was A Huge Mistake To Pass On This Superhero Movie


Leonardo DiCaprio’s Worst Movie Is So Terrible It Has a 0% Rotten Tomatoes Score


See MythBusters Kari Byron Now At 48.


This Rock Icon Was On An Episode Of DS9 And Many Star Trek Fans Had No Idea


The True Story of Why James Cameron Tried To Disown His First Movie


5 Highly Underrated Futurama Episodes That Many Fans Have Overlooked


Which Firefly Cast Member Had The Most Successful Career After The Show Ended?

About Us | Contact | Privacy Policy | Fact Checking Copyright © 2023