Medfield resident Jon F. Merz is one of the stars of "The Cars That Made America," a miniseries debuting on the History Channel Sunday, August 13, at 8 p.m., and continuing Monday, August 14, and Tuesday, August 15. The miniseries tells the epic stories of the iconic names behind the cars that shaped America. It focuses on men who forged the industry including Henry Ford, Walter Chrysler, the Dodge Brothers, Alfred Sloan, William Durant, Lee Iacocca and John DeLorean. Merz plays Alfred P. Sloan, the stylish head of General Motors, whose management style became a template for corporate administration for years to come.
Merz, who has lived in Medfield with his wife and two sons since 2004, says acting is just one more adventure he's glad to be able to participate in. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Merz also worked for the US government, handled executive protection for a variety of Fortune 500 clients, and has published more than 30 bestselling novels since 2002. He holds a 5th degree black belt in Togakure-ryu Ninjutsu, earned directly from the 34th grandmaster of that system during a trip to Japan in 2003, regularly participates in adventure races like GORUCK, and has been featured on many television commercials with companies like Putnam Investments, Webster Bank, the New Hampshire State Lottery, and others.
Merz, who turns 48 in October, says he lives by the motto, "Who Dares Lives," and strives to make each day as exciting as possible. "My father died when he was 48 and I've always been keenly aware of my own mortality, given my past service and seeing many of my friends die young. Life is far too short for regrets, grudges, or to settle for things being 'good enough,' when the world is filled with so much more. You just have to go for it."
Follow Jon F. Merz on Instagram: @jonfmerzofficial.
