''Killing Mr. Griffin'' is a 1997 American

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

directed by

Jack Bender Jack Bender (born September 25, 1949) is an American television and film director, television producer and former actor best known for his work as a director on ''Lost'', ''The Sopranos'' and '' Game of Thrones''. Biography Bender grew up in ...

and starring

Jay Thomas Jay Thomas (born Jon Thomas Terrell; July 12, 1948 – August 24, 2017) was an American actor, comedian, and radio personality. He was heard in New York from 1976–1979 on top-40 station 99X, and later on rhythmic CHR station 92KTU, and in L ...

Scott Bairstow Scott Hamilton Bairstow (born April 23, 1970) is a Canadian former actor known for his roles as Newt Call on the syndicated western television drama '' Lonesome Dove: The Series'' and as Ned Grayson on the American television drama series ''Party ...

Mario Lopez Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway theatre, Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on ''Saved by the Bell'', ''Sa ...

, and

Amy Jo Johnson Amy Jo Johnson (born October 6, 1970) is an American actress, musician and filmmaker. As an actress, Johnson is known for her roles as Kimberly Hart on ''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers'', Julie Emrick on '' Felicity'', and Jules Callaghan on '' ...

. The film is based on ''

Killing Mr. Griffin ''Killing Mr. Griffin'' is a 1978 suspense novel by Lois Duncan about a group of teenaged students at a New Mexico high school, who plan to kidnap their strict English teacher, Mr. Griffin. Duncan developed the story from the character of Mark, ...

'', a 1978 novel by

Lois Duncan Lois Duncan Steinmetz (April 28, 1934 – June 15, 2016), known as Lois Duncan, was an American writer, novelist, poet, and journalist. She is best known for her young-adult novels, and has been credited by historians as a pioneering figure in th ...

Synopsis

After being humiliated in English class by his teacher Mr. Griffin (Thomas), popular high-school student Mark Kinney (Bairstow) wants his revenge. With his friends, he plans to kidnap Mr. Griffin, using his girlfriend Susan (Amy Jo Johnson) as bait, to frighten Mr. Griffin and photograph him and expose him for the fatuous phony that he seems to be. The prank goes wrong, though, when Griffin dies from heart failure. Now, Mark and his friends must cover their tracks before they are accused of murder.

Cast

as Mark Kinney *

as Susan McConnell * Chris Young as Jeff Garrett *

as Dave Ruggles * Michelle Williams as Maya *

as John Griffin *

Maitland Ward Ashley Maitland Welkos (born February 3, 1977), known professionally as Maitland Ward, is an American actress and model. She made her acting debut as Jessica Forrester on the CBS soap opera ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' (1994–1996). Continui ...

as Candice Lee *

Denise Dowse Denise Yvonne Dowse (February 21, 1958 – August 13, 2022) was an American actress and director. She was best known for her roles as Mrs. Yvonne Teasley in the television series ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (1991–2000), Judge Rebecca Damsen in ' ...

as Detective Pruitt *

Joey Zimmerman Joseph Paul Zimmerman (born June 10, 1986) is an American actor known for his role as Dylan Piper in '' Halloweentown'' franchise. Early life Zimmerman was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Kat and Harry Zimmerman, a Los Alamos-based actor. Hi ...

as Nicholas McConnell *

Paul Linke Paul Linke (born May 6, 1948) is an American actor, known for his role as Officer Arthur "Artie" Grossman in the television series ''CHiPs''. Linke has worked in film and extensively in television, mostly portraying mild-mannered everyman role ...

as Coach

External links

* * Films scored by Christophe Beck Films directed by Jack Bender 1997 television films 1997 films Films based on American novels NBC network original films {{US-tv-film-stub