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.

(1965-03-23) March 23, 1965
Watertown, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor, former fashion model
Years active1986-present
Websitewww.griecoart.com

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 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 Sergeant 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 Mark 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 Captain Sam Crowe
2014 22 Jump Street Dennis Booker Cameo
2018 Minutes to Midnight Sheriff Wyatt Straight to video(Redbox)
2020 Attack of the Unknown Vernon

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) 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
  1. Michaela Jackson (2018-02-21), Richard Grieco on FOX Studio 11 LA | Abstract Emotionalism, retrieved 2019-03-04
  2. Sewing, Joy (2012-10-01). "Rocker-chic guests celebrate actor artist Richard Grieco". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  3. Kai63485 (2012-03-04), Richard Grieco on Painting with Abstract Emotionalism, Gigolos and Men Pleasing Women For a Change, retrieved 2019-03-04
  4. "Richard Grieco; '21 Jumpstreet' adds a Handsome Rebel", "The Washington Post, 7 May 1989  – via Highbeam (subscription required)
  5. Rizzo, Frank (July 26, 1991). "FROM COLLEGE AT CENTRAL TO STARDOM". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  7. "Richard Grieco - Waiting For The Sky To Fall". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  8. 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.
  9. Waiting For The Sky To Fall by Richard Grieco, retrieved 2019-03-04
  10. Waiting For The Sky To Fall, retrieved 2019-03-04
  11. "Strip Tips: Actor Richard Grieco showcasing art". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  12. "www.griecoart.com". griecofineart. Retrieved Nov 21, 2019.
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