John Blizek was born and raised in a suburb of Chicago. He received his B.A. in Liberal Arts, Radio/Television emphasis from Indiana University in 1975. While a student at IU he worked at PBS affiliate WTIU as a lighting director. Upon graduation he was awarded a Warner Brothers Summer Observation Program Scholarship, interning at The Burbank Studios. He then enrolled in the USC School of Cinema and graduated with his MFA in 1980, earning a Fuji Film award for cinematography. Primarily working as a television series editor, he has also produced and directed a wide range of projects and is a director member of the DGA. He has been nominated twice for a Cable Ace Award for editing a comedy series/special and was part of the team received the first Grammy nomination for "Video of the Year."