John Mallory Asher

John Asher is an award-winning writer and director whose passion for visual storytelling began early-often by taking apart (and occasionally breaking) his father's video cameras in pursuit of the perfect shot. Growing up with dyslexia, Asher developed a visual-first approach to storytelling that ultimately shaped his path as a filmmaker. At just 24, he directed his first feature, "Kounterfeit" (1997), starring Academy Award winner Hillary Swank. Before turning 30, he followed with "Chick Flick" (1998) and "Diamonds" (1999), a Miramax production starring Kirk Douglas and Dan Aykroyd. His 2005 Sundance premiere, "Dirty Love" (2005), marked a pivotal moment in his career. He expanded into television, directing episodes of Showtime's "Going to California" (2001) and the CW's "One Tree Hill" (WB, 2003-04; CW, 2006-12), while also establishing himself in the comedy space with acclaimed specials including "Margaret Cho: PsyCHO" (Showtime, 2015), "Sebastian Maniscalco: Aren't You Embarrassed?" (Showtime, 2014) and "Ralphie May: Unruly" (Netflix, 2015). In 2013, Asher pushed creative boundaries with "Somebody Marry Me," a romantic comedy shot in a single continuous take. He followed with "A Boy Called Po" (2016), a deeply personal film inspired by his son Evan, exploring autism with authenticity and heart. In 2025, he returned with "A Love Like This," a dramatic romance starring Emmanuelle Chriqui and Hayes MacArthur, continuing his focus on emotionally grounded, character-driven storytelling. John Asher's work is defined by visual innovation, emotional honesty, and a refusal to be confined to any one genre or style.