John Putch. Director: The Father and the Bear. John Putch was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He is the son of late actress Jean Stapleton and late producer/director William Putch. He began his professional acting career at age 5 in a summer theater, The Totem Pole Playhouse, run by his father in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania. John has had a successful career as an actor and now enjoys directing movies and television.