Richard Grieco
Richard John Grieco Jr. (born March 23, 1965) is an American actor and former fashion model. He is best known for his role as Detective Dennis Booker from the popular Fox series 21 Jump Street (1988–89) and its spin-off Booker (1989–90). He has also starred in various films, including If Looks Could Kill and Mobsters (both 1991). Since the height of his fame, he has voiced characters in several video games and appeared as either himself or his 21 Jump Street character in several films and television shows. Since 2009, he has also been known as a painter, working in a style he calls abstract emotionalism.[1][2][3]
Richard Grieco | |
|---|---|
 Richard Grieco, 2006 | |
| Born | Richard John Grieco Jr. March 23, 1965 Watertown, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, former fashion model |
| Years active | 1986-present |
| Website | www |
Early life
Richard “Dickie” Grieco was born in Watertown, New York, the son of Richard and Carolyn (née O'Reilly) Grieco. He is of Italian and Irish descent.[4] After moving to Franklin, Massachusetts, in his teenage years, Grieco played football, hockey and lacrosse in high school. Grieco was All-State in all three sports. Grieco also played football for Central Connecticut State University.[5]
Career
Modeling, TV and film
Grieco worked as a model for Armani, Calvin Klein and Chanel.[6] He played Rick Gardner on One Life to Live from 1985 to 1987. In 1988, Grieco began appearing as Detective Dennis Booker on the shows 21 Jump Street and its spinoff Booker. Grieco's feature film debut was as Michael Corben in If Looks Could Kill (1991) and has appeared in numerous films since then. Later in 1991, he played the young Jewish bootlegger and mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel in the movie Mobsters. He also appeared in the TV series Marker in 1995. He played himself in the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury.
Music
Grieco began a singing career in 1994 with the Dunmore Band. He signed to a German label and released a CD, Waiting for the Sky to Fall, in 1995;[7][8] he re-released the album in 2011, making it available on streaming services such as iTunes and Spotify.[9][10] In 2004, he formed the band Wasteland Park with music manager Cheryl Bogart.
Art
In 2009, several years after being encouraged to do so by Dennis Hopper,[2] Grieco publicly revealed that he has been painting since 1991 and sold his first painting for $10,900.[11] He calls his work "Abstract Emotionalism."[12]
In popular culture
In the WB sitcom Off Centre, Grieco is idolized by Chau Presley, a character played by John Cho. In the show, Chau meets Grieco at the Department of Motor Vehicles and trades him an Oingo Boingo shirt for the one he is wearing. Several references are made to Grieco and his movies (especially Point Doom).
In A Night at the Roxbury, Grieco is idolized by the main characters. His lifestyle ("Clothes, Cars, Women") was what Doug and Steve Butabi were trying to achieve.
In 2016, he appeared as himself in an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | If Looks Could Kill | Michael Corben | UK version entitled Teen Agent |
| Mobsters | Bugsy Siegel | ||
| 1993 | Born to Run | Nicky Donatello | |
| Tomcat: Dangerous Desires | Tom | ||
| 1994 | Suspicious Agenda | Tony Castagne | |
| Sin and Redemption | Jim McDaniels | ||
| A Vow to Kill | Eric | ||
| Bolt | Bolt | DVD version entitled Rebel Run | |
| 1995 | The Demolitionist | Mad Dog Burne | |
| It Was Him or Us | Gene Shepard | ||
| 1996 | Circuit Breaker | Adam | |
| 1997 | Mutual Needs | Brandon Collier | |
| When Time Expires | Travis Beck | ||
| Against the Law | Rex | ||
| 1998 | The Journey: Absolution | Sgt. Bradley | |
| Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights | Sinbad | ||
| Ultimate Deception | Bobby Woodkin | ||
| Captive | Joe Goodis | ||
| Blackheart - Quest of a Serial Killer | Ray | ||
| The Apostate | Michael Killan | ||
| Garden of Evil | Dean | ||
| A Night at the Roxbury | Himself | ||
| 1999 | Heaven or Vegas | Navy | |
| 2000 | Final Payback | Joey Randall | |
| Point Doom | Rick Hansen | ||
| Harold Robbins' Body Parts | Ty Kinnick | ||
| 2001 | Manhattan Midnight | Midnight | |
| Sexual Predator | J. C. Gale | ||
| Death, Deceit and Destiny Aboard the Orient Express | Jack Chase | ||
| Sweet Revenge (aka Die! Die! Die!) | Frank | ||
| 2002 | Fish Don't Blink | Pete | |
| Book of Days | Mr. Finch | ||
| Webs | Dean | ||
| Evil Breed: The Legend of Samhain | Mark | ||
| 2004 | Phantom Force | Marcus Dupree | |
| Dead Easy | Simon Storm | ||
| 2005 | Raiders of the Damned | Dr. Lewis | |
| 2006 | Forget About It | Anthony Amato | |
| 2011 | Almighty Thor | Loki | |
| Cats Dancing on Jupiter | Derek Stockton | ||
| 2013 | AE Apocalypse Earth | Capt. Sam Crowe | |
| 2014 | 22 Jump Street | Dennis Booker | Cameo |
| 2018 | Minutes to Midnight | Sheriff Wyatt | Straight to video(Redbox) |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1987 | One Life to Live | Rick Gardner | Unknown Episodes |
| 1987 | Rags to Riches | Billy Gallento | |
| 1988 | Who's The Boss? | Mauritzio | |
| 1988 | The Facts of Life | Ben | Episode: "Big Apple Blues" |
| 1988–1989 | 21 Jump Street | Detective Dennis Booker | 18 Episodes |
| 1989–1990 | Booker | Detective Dennis Booker | 22 Episodes |
| 1994–1996 | Gargoyles (voice) | Anthony "Tony" Dracon | 4 Episodes |
| 1995 | Marker | Richard DeMorra | |
| The Marvel Action Hour: The Fantastic Four | Ghost Rider (voice) | Episode: "When Calls Galactus" | |
| 1996 | The Incredible Hulk | Episode: "Innocent Blood" | |
| 2006–2007 | Veronica Mars | Steve Botando | 3 Episodes |
| 2009 | Gone Country 3 | Himself | Celebreality game show contestant |
| 2010 | Gigolos | Creator & Executive Producer | |
| 2016 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Himself | 1 episode |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds | Ghost Rider | |
| 2011 | Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 | Ghost Rider |
Web
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Viral Video | Fishykiller | Short film on Trisha Paytas' YouTube channel |
| 2015 | Viral Video 2 | Fishykiller | Short film on Trisha Paytas' YouTube channel |
References
- Michaela Jackson (2018-02-21), Richard Grieco on FOX Studio 11 LA | Abstract Emotionalism, retrieved 2019-03-04
- Sewing, Joy (2012-10-01). "Rocker-chic guests celebrate actor artist Richard Grieco". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- Kai63485 (2012-03-04), Richard Grieco on Painting with Abstract Emotionalism, Gigolos and Men Pleasing Women For a Change, retrieved 2019-03-04
- "Richard Grieco; '21 Jumpstreet' adds a Handsome Rebel", "The Washington Post, 7 May 1989 – via Highbeam (subscription required)
- Rizzo, Frank (July 26, 1991). "FROM COLLEGE AT CENTRAL TO STARDOM". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- "Richard Grieco - Waiting For The Sky To Fall". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- Mila (2013-05-07). "When Acting Is Not Enough: Waiting For The Sky To Fall - Richard Grieco". When Acting Is Not Enough. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- Waiting For The Sky To Fall by Richard Grieco, retrieved 2019-03-04
- Waiting For The Sky To Fall, retrieved 2019-03-04
- "Strip Tips: Actor Richard Grieco showcasing art". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- "www.griecoart.com". griecofineart. Retrieved Nov 21, 2019.
External links
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