Ted Neeley’s Jesus Legacy Lives On | Rochester News

Rochester News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 4, 2026 · 1m

Ted Neeley, the legendary actor who played Jesus in the 1973 film “Jesus Christ Superstar,” is wrapping up his farewell tour with a special Rochester screening—and he’s still stunned by how deeply the film resonates decades later. Known worldwide as “the Jesus guy,” Neeley didn’t even audition for the lead; he sang “Heaven on Their Minds” for Judas and was handed the role instead. The part changed his life—professionally, personally, and even romantically, as he met his wife on set in Israel. Now, as the tour ends, he’s bittersweetly emotional, wishing he could keep playing Jesus forever…