IsDear JohnBased on a True Story? Find Out Where the Real-Life John from Nicholas Sparks’ Iconic Movie Is Now, 15 Years After Its Release

Mar. 15, 2025

(L): Channing Tatum as John in ‘Dear John.’ ; (R): Nicholas Sparks' cousin, Todd Vance.Photo:Relativity Media/Kobal/Shutterstock; Todd Vance/Facebook

Relativity Media/Kobal/Shutterstock; Todd Vance/Facebook

The only thing more heart-wrenching than the plot ofDear Johnis that it draws inspiration from real life.

Based onNicholas Sparks' best-selling novel of the same name, which was adapted for the screen in 2010 and is now available to stream on Tubi, tells the story of a young soldier, John Tyree (Channing Tatum), who falls in love with college student Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), while home on leave.

Here is everything to know about the true story that inspiredDear John,and meet the real-life John and Savannah.

Who is John fromDear Johnbased on?

Channing Tatum in 2010’s ‘Dear John.’.

Dear John’s main character is based on Sparks’ cousin Vance, who is originally from San Diego and enlisted with the Army in 1999. He served as a squad leader in the Army Infantry and the 3rd Striker Brigade and had four months left on his contract when the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred, leading him to re-enlist, perThe Mesa Press.

In the film, John also chooses to deploy again after 9/11. Sparks has shared about how his cousin’s decision inspiredDear John.

“So there he is. He’s in the Army for 4 years, ready to get out, looking forward to it,” the author toldColliderin 2010. “He’s getting out in October. 9/11 hits and he says, ‘I’m a sergeant. These are my friends. I have to watch out for them. They’re gonna go. I gotta go. I gotta take care of them.’ "

Although Vance’s re-enlistment is the same inDear John, the veteran toldThe Mesa Pressthat various other details differ, including that he was never in the Special Forces like John.

“He is also shot twice in the back,” Vance said. “I was never shot, but pieces of metal flew into my back after a grenade explosion.”

While many of Sparks' books have turned into movies over the years, including 2004’sThe Notebook,the best-selling author has acknowledged the challenges of translating true stories into film.

“I think it depends on the story and then it depends on the director and how the director handles these elements,” he told Collider. “You’re walking that line between drama and melodrama, evoking genuine emotion or being manipulative and it’s a tough line to walk.”

Who is Savannah inDear Johnbased on — and did she reunite with the soldier in real life?

Channing Tatum as John and Amanda Seyfried as Savannah in ‘Dear John.'.Relativity Media/Kobal/Shutterstock

Relativity Media/Kobal/Shutterstock

In the film, Savannah and John meet on the beach and the two instantly form a connection. Over the next two weeks, they go on several dates and fall in love. Their fictional love story is rooted in a real-life romance between Vance and Lauren Cates, whom he met on the beach during a two-week break at home, perTheSan Diego Union-Tribune.

According to the outlet, Vance was about to head to Iraq but had returned home to attend his stepfather’s funeral. During that time, Vance met Cates and invited her to a family barbecue — which Sparks also attended.

Much like the real-life couple, when John heads off for deployment and Savannah returns to school, they maintain their connection for several years via letters. Vance toldThe Union-Tribunethat he sometimes received two letters a day from Cates.

InDear John, the two main characters plan to start a life together after John’s discharge, but the 9/11 attacks change everything. In response to the tragedy, and mirroring Vance’s real-life story, John and his unit voluntarily extend their deployments.

In a break from the real-life story, in her final letter to John, Savannah reveals that she is now engaged to someone else. Later, when John sees her during a visit home, he discovers that the man Savannah married is her neighbor Tim, who has just been diagnosed with cancer.

Tim dies years later, after receiving a large anonymous donation for an experimental drug that allowed him more time with his family — one that came from John selling his late father’s coin collection. In the final scene of the movie, Savannah and John reconnect outside of a coffee shop.

Unlike in the film, Vance never got a breakup note. The veteran toldThe Mesa Pressthat he and Cates “stayed together the whole time,” until he left the Army in 2005 and returned back home to San Diego. However, the pair ultimately went their separate ways after his homecoming.

“Being away from each other was really tough, and it created a lot of tension,” he told the outlet. “I also had a lot to deal with and it didn’t make the relationship work.”

What happened to Todd Vance’s dad?

Richard Jenkins as Bill in ‘Dear John.'.Relativity Media/Kobal/Shutterstock

InDear John, Savannah grows close to John’s father, Bill — she even visits him for Sunday dinner before returning to school when John is overseas.

While in combat — and after he and Savannah have halted communication — John returns home when he learns that his dad has recently had a stroke. Bill dies soon after, and he visits Savannah to share the news.

In real life, Vance’s stepdad had a cyst behind his pancreas and had surgery to have it removed, during which he died due to complications. Unlike the movie, Vance met Cates while home for his stepfather’s funeral, perTheSan Diego Union-Tribune.

Where isDear John’s real-life soldier Todd Vance now?

Todd Vance and wife Alison M. Vance pose for a photo in December 2024.Todd Vance/ Facebook

Todd Vance/ Facebook

At the end of the film, John returns home and transitions back into civilian life — much like the real-life soldier Vance. After returning from overseas, Vance pursued a bachelor’s degree in social services and has since held various roles, according to hisLinkedIn.

In February 2022, he began working as a safety manager for Patriot General Engineering, Inc., and later took on the role of safety director at Precision Services Unit, Inc. in January 2024.

Additionally, in July 2010, Vance launched Pugilistic Offensive Warrior Tactics, a program dedicated to helping veterans tackle PTSD and transition back into civilian life — an initiative that Sparks publicly admired on Facebook, expressing how “proud” he was of his cousin’s work.

As for his personal life, whileDear Johnends with John and Savannah reuniting outside a coffee shop, Vance and Cates did not get back together following their split. According to hisFacebook, Vance went on to marry his wife, Alison, in March 2022.

source: people.com