As a young actor, Joshua John Miller delivered two of the most iconic child
performances of the 1980s in Near Dark, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, and River’s
Edge, directed by Tim Hunter, starring alongside Keanu Reeves and Crispin Glover.
These groundbreaking films helped define the American indie cinema renaissance of
the late ’80s. Film Comment magazine recognized Miller’s performances in both films as
among the top 40 greatest young actor performances of all time, placing him in the
company of Jodie Foster, Elizabeth Taylor, and Drew Barrymore.

He also starred in the cult musical Teen Witch, which went on to become one of the
most-watched kids’ movies of its era. The film, particularly its iconic “Top That” rap
scene, became a drag performance staple and a queer cultural touchstone, making
Miller a fan favorite within the LGBTQ+ community, of which he is a proud member.

Turning his focus from acting to writing, he sold his debut novel, The Mao Game, at the
age of 21. Upon publication, the novel received widespread critical acclaim, was
translated into multiple languages, and was later adapted into a feature film that
premiered in the Cannes Film Festival sidebar. For her performance in the adaptation,
three-time Academy Award nominee Piper Laurie received multiple Best Actress honors
at international film festivals.