Eric Pierpoint
Eric Pierpoint at Star Trek Las Vegas 2007
Born (1950-11-18) November 18, 1950
Redlands, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, author
Years active1984–present

Eric Pierpoint (born November 18, 1950) is an American actor and author. He is perhaps best known for his role as George Francisco on Fox Network's Alien Nation. He has also notably appeared on each of the first four Star Trek television spin-offs.

Early life

Pierpoint is the son of Patricia Adams Pierpoint and stepson of former CBS news White House correspondent Robert Pierpoint. He was born in Redlands, California, the middle of three children and lived there until age nine. His mother relocated to Washington, DC in 1959 upon marrying the elder Pierpoint, who legally adopted all three children. He graduated from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland and was on the wrestling, soccer, and tennis teams. He spent time accompanying his stepfather on news assignments during his teen years, often meeting high ranking US Government officials. He then attended the University of Redlands in Redlands, California, majoring in philosophy and receiving his Bachelor's Degree. He was captain of the soccer team, and took his first drama course as a senior and began his pursuit of acting after graduation.[1] He then attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received his Master's Degree in Fine Arts.[2]

Career

Acting

Pierpoint's onscreen career began in 1984, landing his first role in the film Windy City. Later that same year, he was cast in his first lead role in the short-lived television series Hot Pursuit, which was produced by Kenneth Johnson. He continued to appear in guest roles on TV series during the 1980s, including winning a recurring role on the sixth season of the popular show Fame. In 1989, he was again cast by Kenneth Johnson in another TV series, the television adaption of the 1988 film Alien Nation. Pierpoint would take over the role of Detective Samuel "George" Francisco, originated by Mandy Patinkin in the film, starring opposite Gary Graham as Detective Matthew Sikes. The series, though very popular among fans, was canceled after one season. Pierpoint went on to play the character in five subsequent Alien Nation TV movies from 1993 to 1997. Between 1993 and 2005, he starred in five separate guest roles on all four Star Trek series spin offs. He also continues to work regularly outside of science fiction, garnering many roles in popular films and TV shows during his career, including the 1997 film Liar, Liar and the more recent TV series Hart of Dixie and Parks and Recreation.

In addition to numerous roles on television and film, Pierpoint has been active in theater, starring in many plays throughout his career. His most recent role was in The Lion In Winter for the Ensemble Theater Company.

Writing

In 2013, he completed his first book, a Young Adult Historical Fiction novel titled The Last Ride of Caleb O'Toole, which was published on September 3, 2013.[3] His second novel, also historical fiction, is currently being written.

In addition to reading his work to middle school children in an educational book tour, he also teaches guest master classes in acting at various universities.[4]

Personal life

Pierpoint has been active in the Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles for a number of years.[5] He currently resides in Topanga, California.

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1984 Windy City Pete
1986 Invaders from Mars Rinaldi
1992 Forever Young Fred
1995 The Stranger Sheriff Gordon Cole (Video)
Midnight Man Patrick 'Paddy' White
1996 Where Truth Lies Joe McNamara
Driven Hal
Little Witches Sheriff Gordon
1997 Liar Liar Richard Cole
Steel Major
2003 The Movie Hero Blake's Dad
Holes Sheriff
2004 Eulogy Mr. Carmichael
Messiah Abbot
2005 The World's Fastest Indian Earl
2006 Four Weeks Four Hours Larry
2007 TV Virus Rett
2008 Solar Flare Senator Melchard
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen NSA Officer
2010 The Palace of Light Frank Druffel (Short)
Sex Tax: Based on a True Story Congressman Hayden
Nothing Special Alan
2011 Donner Pass George Donner
Phil Cobb's Dinner for Four Phil Cobb
2018 What We Keep Louis Hughes (Short)

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1984 Hot Pursuit Jim Wyler 12 episodes
1985-1986 Hill Street Blues Tom Hopper 3 episodes
1985-1986 Fame Paul Seeger 24 episodes
1987 Beauty and the Beast Donald Episode: "Masques"
1989 In the Heat of the Night Clay Caulder Episode: "Stranger in Town"
Heartland Jack Kemper Episode: "The Tornado"
1989-1990 Alien Nation Detective George Francisco 21 episodes
1991 WIOU Marc Adamson 4 episodes
Nurses Dr. Monford Episode: "Coming to America"
Matlock David Houk Episode: "The Suspect"
1993 Time Trax Jason Peterman Episode: "The Prodigy"
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash Andy (uncredited) TV movie
Star Trek: The Next Generation Ambassador Voval Episode: "Liaisons"
1994 Children of the Dark Dr. David Tanner TV movie
Alien Nation: Dark Horizon Detective George Francisco TV movie
Party of Five Bruce Curran Episode: "Kiss Me Kate"
1995 Murder, She Wrote Bradford Thorpe Episode: "Death 'N Denial"
Alien Nation: Body and Soul Detective George Francisco TV movie
1996 Alien Nation: Millennium Detective George Francisco TV movie
Alien Nation: The Enemy Within Detective George Francisco TV movie
1997 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Captain Sanders Episode: "For the Uniform"
Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy Detective George Francisco TV movie
Babylon 5 Daniel Episode: "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars"
Ally McBeal James Horton Episode: "Silver Bells"
1994-1998 Silk Stalkings Eric Russell / Dr. Finch 8 episodes
1998 The Pretender Sheriff Randall Carver Episode: "Someone to Trust"
1999 Beverly Hills, 90210 Adam Episode: "Dog's Best Friend"
Sliders President Jefferson Williams Episode: "A Current Affair"
Star Trek: Voyager Kortar Episode: "Barge of the Dead"
2000 Seven Days 'Koop' Episode: "The Dunwych Madness"
2001 Touched by an Angel Jack McHenry Episode: "The Penalty Box"
1994-2001 Diagnosis: Murder Dr. Don Matthews / George Ridgeway 2 episodes
2001-2002 JAG Dr. Kubota / Lieutenant Colonel Maples 2 episodes
2003 Mister Sterling Chuck Stanley 3 episodes
Strong Medicine Dr. Sullivan Episode: "Vaccinations"
2004 Crossing Jordan Fireman Episode: "Fire in the Sky"
2005 CSI: Miami Fire Chief Kyle Donaldson Episode: "Nothing to Lose"
Surface Admiral Philip Geary Episode #1.1
Medium Chief Parker Episode: "Dead Aim"
2002-2005 Star Trek: Enterprise Harris / Shiraht 5 episodes
2006 McBride: Requiem Senator David Fletcher TV movie
2007 Brothers & Sisters Stanley Hancock Episode: "Grapes of Wrath"
Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses Captain Raymond Cain TV movie
Big Love Larry Schoenfeld 2 episodes
2008 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 'Cash' Dooley Episode: "Bull"
2009 Eleventh Hour Joseph Breen Episode: "Minamata"
2010 A Soldier's Love Story Terry TV movie
The Mentalist Vint Molinari Episode: "The Blood on His Hands"
2011 The Cape Chief Tom Ross Episode: "Pilot"
Chemistry Arthur 'Artie' Delacorte 10 episodes
2011-2012 Parks and Recreation Chief Trumple 3 episodes
2012 Workaholics Don Walters Episode: "The Business Trip"
2014 Farmed and Dangerous Mick Mitcherson 4 episodes
2011-2015 Hart of Dixie Harold Tucker 7 episodes
2015 Wicked City Bruce Forrester Episode: "The Very Thought of You"
2016 Four Stars Admiral Hank Crawford TV movie
2017 Six Don Buckley Episode: "Collateral"

References

  1. ↑ "THE BIG INTERVIEW: FTN interviews Eric Pierpoint". 31 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Corrigan, Ned (October 27, 1984). "Working in Movies and TV, and Beating the Odds". The Washington Post.
  3. ↑ "Sourcebooks Storefront". www.sourcebooks.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  4. ↑ Missoulian, ROB CHANEY of the. "Stage, screen actor Pierpoint gives UM class career advice". Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Eric Pierpoint". www.littlereview.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
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