Character on Jericho: Bill Erikson

Born: Sept. 4, 1970

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Biography:
Richard Speight, Jr. says it all began after watching his two sisters at their dance classes and thinking that they looked like they were having fun. So at the age of five he began his ascent into acting by taking tap dancing lessons in Nashville. As the only 'guy' in the class, Richard was tapped to perform as an extra for visiting dance troupes and ballets. By the time he hit his teens he was already falling in love with performing, and started taking the roles that were cast locally by production companies such as Disney.

On a trip to LA with his family when he was 15, Speight Jr. remembers that it was then that he realized that acting was what he wanted to do. He went to a highly academic all-boys prep school where he played football and ran track.
His dream of majoring in theater in college became a reality in 1989 at the University of Southern California.

Career Bio:

Television:

• "Jericho" (15 episodes, 2006-2007) Bill
• "Supernatural" (1 episode, 2007) Janitor
• "Yes, Dear" (2 episodes, 2005) Frank
• "Into the West" (2005) MiniSeries Rupert Lang
• "CSI: Miami" (1 episode, 2005) Kevin Banks
• "Alias" (1 episode, 2005) Derek Modell
• "The Agency" (35 episodes, 2001-2003) Lex
• "Band of Brothers" (2001) MiniSeries Sgt. Warren 'Skip' Muck
• "JAG" (2 episodes, 1997-1999) t. Michael Gerter
• "L.A. Doctors" (1 episode, 1998) Carl
• "Built to Last" (1 episode, 1997) Stanley
• "Party of Five" (1 episode, 1996) Miller West
• "ER" (1 episode, 1995) Barinski
• "Running the Halls" (13 episodes, 1993) Mark G. 'The Shark' Stark
• "Matlock" (1 episode, 1990) Delivery Boy
• "China Beach" (1 episode, 1990) Grunt #2
• "Elvis" (1990) Leon
• " Freddy's Nightmares" (2 episodes, 1989) Oliver
• "ABC Afterschool Specials" (1 episode, 1989) Kenny

Film:

• Open Water 2: Adrift [2006] James
• Call of Duty 2: Big Red One [2205] Pvt. Stephen Kelly
• Thank You for Smoking [2005] Trainee
• Love for Rent [2004] George
• Battle above the Clouds [2002]
• Uncle Sam [2002] Frenchie Documentary
• Mr. Lucke [2001] DJ Tom Bush [voice]
• Sam’s Circus[2001] TV Movie Bedpan
• Dave's Blind Date [2000] Dave
• North Beach [2000] Pete
• In God We Trust [2000] Robert I. Peterson
• The Last Big Attraction [1999] Christopher Canby
• Big Monster on Campus {AKA Boltneck} [1998] Comic Book Salesman
• Sugar: The Fall of the West [1998] Troy
• Speed 2: Cruise Control [1997] 'C' Deck Officer
• Menno's Mind [1996] Kal, Menno's co-worker
• Independence Day [1996] Ed
• Out There [1995] Store Clerk TV Movie
• Dead Weekend [1995] Rebel #1 TV Movie
• Amanda and the Alien [1995] JoJo TV Movie
• Demonic Toys [1992] Andy
• By Dawn's Early Light [1990] SAC Guard TV Movie
• Elvis [1990] Leon Mini Series
• Goodbye, Miss 4th of July [1988] Young Klansman TV Movie
• Ernest Goes to Camp [1987] Brooks
• Love Leads the Way [1984] Jimmy TV Movie
• A Member of the Wedding [1982] Barney TV Movie

Production:

• North Beach [2000] Director & Co-Producer Independent Film
• Night Eyes 4 [1995] Sound Assistant Independent Film

Quote:
"If you're in charge of your own career, then it's like golf. It's you and a stick and a ball and it's your job to get it in the hole. You can't blame the club, and you can't blame the weather, and you can't blame the grass... it's about you and your own skill and your own focus and your drive."

Trivia:
Wickedly funny sense of humor
Plays guitar & bass