Jonathan Tiersten

Biography

Jonathan Tiersten was an American actor and musician who studied acting at New York University after growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, and was born in Queens. He made his screen debut in an uncredited 1981 episode of Another World, then became known for playing Ricky Thomas in the slasher film Sleepaway Camp (1983), a role he reprised in Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008). He won three best actor awards and earned a fourth nomination for his portrayal of the serial killer John Doesy in The Perfect House. Alongside acting he fronted bands around Fort Collins, Colorado, sang lead for Ten Tiers, composed the score for a short starring David Krumholtz, and wrote the theme for The Perfect House. His 2011 EP We'll See ranked third on a Magnet magazine list. He died in 2026.

60years old at death

Born August 11, 1965Queens
Died May 5, 2026New Jersey
Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22

Movie Career

Films: 3
Career span: 39 years1983 to 2022

Every film, newest first

2022The Last American Horror Show: Volume IIIMDb rating 4.6
2008Return to Sleepaway CampIMDb rating 4.1
1983Sleepaway CampIMDb rating 6.2

Genres

Did you know?!

First role
Tiersten's screen debut came in a 1981 episode of Another World, though he went uncredited. He then landed the part of Ricky Thomas in Sleepaway Camp, a 1983 slasher film.
Beyond film
In between acting jobs, Tiersten fronted several bands, most of them based around Fort Collins, Colorado. He also sang lead for Ten Tiers and wrote the score for a short film starring David Krumholtz.
Beyond film
In 2011, Edward Records put out Tiersten's EP We'll See, and it came in third on the list of most anticipated albums in Magnet magazine.
Beyond film
Tiersten also cut a version of the Mickey & Sylvia track "Love Is Strange" for Plan 9, a remake of Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space that stars Brian Krause.