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{{short description|American actor and author (born 1950)}}
{{Infobox person
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'''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 (TV series)|Alien Nation]]''. He has also notably appeared on all of the ''[[Star Trek]]'' television [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]]s.
'''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 (TV series)|Alien Nation]]''. He has also notably appeared on each of the first four ''[[Star Trek]]'' television [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]]s.


==Early life==
==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 (Bethesda, Maryland)|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.<ref>http://www.followingthenerd.com/tv/the-big-interview-ftn-interviews-eric-pierpoint/</ref> He then attended [[The Catholic University of America]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], where he received his Master's Degree in Fine Arts.
Pierpoint is the son of Patricia Adams Pierpoint and stepson of former CBS news White House correspondent [[Robert Pierpoint (journalist)|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 (Bethesda, Maryland)|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.followingthenerd.com/tv/the-big-interview-ftn-interviews-eric-pierpoint/|title = THE BIG INTERVIEW: FTN interviews Eric Pierpoint|date = 31 March 2013}}</ref> He then attended [[The Catholic University of America]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], where he received his Master's Degree in Fine Arts.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corrigan |first1=Ned |title=Working in Movies and TV, and Beating the Odds |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1984/10/27/eric-pierpointworking-in-movies-and-tv-and-beating-the-odds/45cb70cd-b083-4baa-95f6-64a9e91bfcf9/ |work=The Washington Post |date=October 27, 1984}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==


===Acting===
===Acting===
Pierpoint's onscreen career began in 1984, landing his first role in the film ''[[Windy City (film)|Windy City]]''. Later that same year, he was cast in his first lead role in the short-lived television series ''[[Hot Pursuit (1984 TV series)|Hot Pursuit]]'', which was produced by [[Kenneth Johnson (producer)|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 (1982 TV series)|Fame]]''. In 1989, he was again cast by Kenneth Johnson in another TV series, the television adaption of the [[1988 in film|1988]] film ''[[Alien Nation (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 on television|science fiction]], garnering many roles in popular films and TV shows during his career, including the [[1997 in film|1997]] film ''[[Liar, Liar (1993 film)|Liar, Liar]]'' and the more recent TV series' ''[[Hart of Dixie]]'' and ''[[Parks and Recreation]]''.
Pierpoint's onscreen career began in 1984, landing his first role in the film ''[[Windy City (film)|Windy City]]''. Later that same year, he was cast in his first lead role in the short-lived television series ''[[Hot Pursuit (1984 TV series)|Hot Pursuit]]'', which was produced by [[Kenneth Johnson (producer)|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 (1982 TV series)|Fame]]''. In 1989, he was again cast by Kenneth Johnson in another TV series, the television adaption of the [[1988 in film|1988]] film ''[[Alien Nation (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 on television|science fiction]], garnering many roles in popular films and TV shows during his career, including the [[1997 in film|1997]] film ''[[Liar, Liar (1993 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.
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===
===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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sourcebooks.com/store/last-ride-of-caleb-otoole.html|title=Sourcebooks Storefront|website=www.sourcebooks.com|accessdate=7 October 2018}}</ref> His second novel, also historical fiction, is currently being written.
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sourcebooks.com/store/last-ride-of-caleb-otoole.html|title=Sourcebooks Storefront|website=www.sourcebooks.com|access-date=7 October 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://missoulian.com/news/local/stage-screen-actor-pierpoint-gives-um-class-career-advice/article_7bd73b4c-0c35-11e2-bd4f-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Stage, screen actor Pierpoint gives UM class career advice|first=ROB CHANEY of the|last=Missoulian|publisher=|accessdate=7 October 2018}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://missoulian.com/news/local/stage-screen-actor-pierpoint-gives-um-class-career-advice/article_7bd73b4c-0c35-11e2-bd4f-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Stage, screen actor Pierpoint gives UM class career advice|first=ROB CHANEY of the|last=Missoulian|access-date=7 October 2018}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Pierpoint has been active in the [[Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles]] for a number of years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.littlereview.com/getcritical/interviews/pierpont.htm|title=Eric Pierpoint|website=www.littlereview.com|accessdate=7 October 2018}}</ref> He currently resides in [[Topanga, California]].
Pierpoint has been active in the [[Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles]] for a number of years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.littlereview.com/getcritical/interviews/pierpont.htm|title=Eric Pierpoint|website=www.littlereview.com|access-date=7 October 2018}}</ref> He currently resides in [[Topanga, California]].


== Filmography ==
==Film==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* ''[[Windy City (film)|Windy City]]'' (1984) – Pete
|-
* ''[[Hill Street Blues]]'' (1985-1986) - Tom Hopper
! Year
* ''[[Invaders from Mars (1986 film)|Invaders from Mars]]'' (1986) – Rinaldi
! Title
* ''[[Fame (1982 TV series)|Fame]]'' (1986–1987) – Paul Seeger
! Role
* ''[[In the Heat of the Night (TV series)|In the Heat of the Night]]'' (1989) S2/E09 - "Stranger in Town"
! Notes
* ''[[Alien Nation (TV series)|Alien Nation]]'' (1989–1990) – Det. George Francisco
|-
* ''[[Matlock: The Suspect]]'' (1991) – David Houk
| 1984
* ''[[Forever Young (1992 film)|Forever Young]]'' (1992) – Fred
| ''[[Windy City (film)|Windy City]]''
* ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' (1993) – Ambassador Voval
| Pete
* ''[[Time Trax]]'' (1993) – Jason Peterman
|
* ''[[Silk Stalkings]]'' (1994-1995) (8 Episodes) - Eric Russell
|-
* ''[[Alien Nation: Dark Horizon]]'' (1994) – Det. George Francisco
| 1986
* ''[[Diagnosis: Murder|Diagnosis Murder]]'' (1994) - George Ridgeway
| ''[[Invaders from Mars (1986 film)|Invaders from Mars]]''
* ''[[Alien Nation: Body and Soul]]'' (1995) – Det. George Francisco
| Rinaldi
* ''[[The Stranger (1995 film)|The Stranger]]'' (1995) – Sheriff Gordon Cole
|
* ''[[Midnight Man (1995 film)|Midnight Man]]'' (1995) – Paddy White
|-
* ''[[Alien Nation: Millennium]]'' (1996) – Det. George Francisco
| 1992
* ''[[Driven (1996 film)|Driven]]'' (1996) – Hal
| ''[[Forever Young (1992 film)|Forever Young]]''
* ''[[Alien Nation: The Enemy Within]]'' (1996) – Det. George Francisco
| Fred
* ''[[Liar Liar]]'' (1997) – Richard Cole
|
* ''[[Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy]]'' (1997) – Det. George Francisco
|-
* ''[[Steel (1997 film)|Steel]]'' (1997) – Major
|rowspan=2|1995
* ''[[Babylon 5]]'' (1997) - Daniel
| ''[[The Stranger (1995 film)|The Stranger]]''
* ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' (1997) - Captain Sanders
| Sheriff Gordon Cole
* ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' (1997) - James Horton
| (Video)
* ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' (1999) - Kortar
|-
* ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210|Beverly Hills 90210]]'' (1999) - Adam
| ''[[Midnight Man (1995 film)|Midnight Man]]''
* ''[[Sliders]]'' (1999) - President Jefferson Williams
| Patrick 'Paddy' White
* ''[[Seven Days (TV series)|Seven Days]]'' (2000) - Koop
|
* ''[[Diagnosis: Murder|Diagnosis Murder]]'' (2001) - Dr. Don Matthews
|-
* ''[[JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' (2001) - Lt. Col. Maples
|rowspan=3|1996
* ''[[Touched by an Angel|Touched By An Angel]]'' (2001) - Jack McHenry
* ''[[JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' (2002) - Dr. Kubota
| ''[[Where Truth Lies]]''
| Joe McNamara
* ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' (2002) – Shiraht
|
* ''[[Holes (film)|Holes]]'' (2003) – Sheriff
|-
* ''[[The Movie Hero]]'' (2003) - Blake's Dad
| ''[[Driven (1996 film)|Driven]]''
* ''[[Strong Medicine]]'' (2003) - Dr. Sullivan
| Hal
* ''[[Mister Sterling]]'' (2003) - Chuck Stanley
|
* ''[[Four Weeks Four Hours (movie)|Four Weeks Four Hours]]'' (2004) – Larry
|-
* ''[[Crossing Jordan]]'' (2004) - Fireman
* ''[[Messiah (film)|Messiah]]'' (2004) – Abbot
| ''[[Little Witches]]''
| Sheriff Gordon
* ''[[Eulogy (film)|Eulogy]]'' (2004) – Mr. Carmichael
|
* ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' (2005) – Harris
|-
* ''[[The World's Fastest Indian]]'' (2005) – Earl
|rowspan=2|1997
* ''[[Surface (TV series)|Surface]]'' (2005) - Admiral Philip Geary
| ''[[Liar Liar]]''
* ''[[Medium (TV series)|Medium]]'' (2005) - Chief Parker
| Richard Cole
* ''[[CSI: Miami]]'' (2005) - Fire Chief Kyle Donaldson
|
* ''[[Four Weeks, Four Hours]]'' (2006) – Larry
|-
* ''[[TV Virus]]'' (2007) – Rett
| ''[[Steel (1997 film)|Steel]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' (2009) – NSA Officer
| Major
* ''[[Phil Cobb's Dinner for Four]]'' (2011) – Phil Cobb
|
* ''[[Donner Pass]]'' (2011) – George Donner
|-
* ''[[Hart of Dixie]]'' (2011-2013) - Harold Tucker
|rowspan=2|2003
* ''Chemistry'' (2011) - Arthur Delacorte
| ''[[The Movie Hero]]''
* ''[[Parks and Recreation]]'' (2011-2012) - Chief Trumple
| Blake's Dad
* ''[[Workaholics]]'' (2012) - Don Walters
|
* ''[[Six (TV series)|Six]]'' (2017) - Don Buckley
|-
| ''[[Holes (film)|Holes]]''
| Sheriff
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2004
| ''[[Eulogy (film)|Eulogy]]''
| Mr. Carmichael
|
|-
| ''[[Messiah (film)|Messiah]]''
| Abbot
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[The World's Fastest Indian]]''
| Earl
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Four Weeks Four Hours]]''
| Larry
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[TV Virus]]''
| Rett
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Solar Flare (film)|Solar Flare]]''
| Senator Melchard
|
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''
| NSA Officer
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2010
| ''[[The Palace of Light]]''
| Frank Druffel
| (Short)
|-
| ''[[Sex Tax: Based on a True Story]]''
| Congressman Hayden
|
|-
| ''[[Nothing Special (film)|Nothing Special]]''
| Alan
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2011
| ''[[Donner Pass (film)|Donner Pass]]''
| George Donner
|
|-
| ''[[Phil Cobb's Dinner for Four]]''
| Phil Cobb
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[What We Keep]]''
| Louis Hughes
| (Short)
|-
|}

==Television==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1984
| ''[[Hot Pursuit (1984 TV series)|Hot Pursuit]]''
| Jim Wyler
| 12 episodes
|-
| 1985-1986
| ''[[Hill Street Blues]]''
| Tom Hopper
| 3 episodes
|-
| 1985-1986
| ''[[Fame (1982 TV series)|Fame]]''
| Paul Seeger
| 24 episodes
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1987 TV series)|Beauty and the Beast]]''
| Donald
| Episode: "Masques"
|-
|rowspan=2|1989
| ''[[In the Heat of the Night (TV series)|In the Heat of the Night]]''
| Clay Caulder
| Episode: "Stranger in Town"
|-
| ''[[Heartland (1989 TV series)|Heartland]]''
| Jack Kemper
| Episode: "The Tornado"
|-
| 1989-1990
| ''[[Alien Nation (TV series)|Alien Nation]]''
| Detective George Francisco
| 21 episodes
|-
|rowspan=3|1991
| ''[[WIOU (TV series)|WIOU]]''
| Marc Adamson
| 4 episodes
|-
| ''[[Nurses (American TV series)|Nurses]]''
| Dr. Monford
| Episode: "Coming to America"
|-
| ''[[Matlock (TV series)|Matlock]]''
| David Houk
| Episode: "The Suspect"
|-
|rowspan=3|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 (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Liaisons]]"
|-
|rowspan=3|1994
| ''[[Children of the Dark (1994 film)|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"
|-
|rowspan=2|1995
| ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]''
| Bradford Thorpe
| Episode: "Death 'N Denial"
|-
| ''[[Alien Nation: Body and Soul]]''
| Detective George Francisco
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan=2|1996
| ''[[Alien Nation: Millennium]]''
| Detective George Francisco
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[Alien Nation: The Enemy Within]]''
| Detective George Francisco
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan=4|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 (TV series)|The Pretender]]''
| Sheriff Randall Carver
| Episode: "Someone to Trust"
|-
|rowspan=3|1999
| ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''
| Adam
| Episode: "Dog's Best Friend"
|-
| ''[[Sliders (TV series)|Sliders]]''
| President Jefferson Williams
| Episode: "A Current Affair"
|-
| ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''
| Kortar
| Episode: "[[Barge of the Dead]]"
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Seven Days (TV series)|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 (TV series)|JAG]]''
| Dr. Kubota / Lieutenant Colonel Maples
| 2 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2003
| ''[[Mister Sterling]]''
| Chuck Stanley
| 3 episodes
|-
| ''[[Strong Medicine]]''
| Dr. Sullivan
| Episode: "Vaccinations"
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Crossing Jordan]]''
| Fireman
| Episode: "Fire in the Sky"
|-
|rowspan=3|2005
| ''[[CSI: Miami]]''
| Fire Chief Kyle Donaldson
| Episode: "Nothing to Lose"
|-
| ''[[Surface (2005 TV series)|Surface]]''
| Admiral Philip Geary
| Episode #1.1
|-
| ''[[Medium (TV series)|Medium]]''
| Chief Parker
| Episode: "Dead Aim"
|-
| 2002-2005
| ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]''
| Harris / Shiraht
| 5 episodes
|-
| 2006
| ''[[McBride: Requiem]]''
| Senator David Fletcher
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan=3|2007
| ''[[Brothers & Sisters (2006 TV series)|Brothers & Sisters]]''
| Stanley Hancock
| Episode: "Grapes of Wrath"
|-
| ''[[Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses]]''
| Captain Raymond Cain
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[Big Love (TV series)|Big Love]]''
| Larry Schoenfeld
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2008
| ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]''
| 'Cash' Dooley
| Episode: "Bull"
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Eleventh Hour (American TV series)|Eleventh Hour]]''
| Joseph Breen
| Episode: "Minamata"
|-
|rowspan=2|2010
| ''[[A Soldier's Love Story]]''
| Terry
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[The Mentalist]]''
| Vint Molinari
| Episode: "The Blood on His Hands"
|-
|rowspan=2|2011
| ''[[The Cape (2011 TV series)|The Cape]]''
| Chief Tom Ross
| Episode: "Pilot"
|-
| ''[[Chemistry (TV series)|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 (TV series)|Wicked City]]''
| Bruce Forrester
| Episode: "The Very Thought of You"
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Four Stars (2016 film)|Four Stars]]''
| Admiral Hank Crawford
| TV movie
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Six (TV series)|Six]]''
| Don Buckley
| Episode: "Collateral"
|-
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 107: Line 449:
[[Category:Catholic University of America alumni]]
[[Category:Catholic University of America alumni]]
[[Category:College men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:College men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:University of Redlands alumni]]
[[Category:University of Redlands alumni]]
[[Category:American male writers]]
[[Category:American male writers]]
[[Category:Association footballers not categorized by position]]
[[Category:Men's association football players not categorized by position]]
[[Category:Association football players not categorized by nationality]]
[[Category:Walt Whitman High School (Maryland) alumni]]

Latest revision as of 19:56, 26 November 2023

Eric Pierpoint
Eric Pierpoint at Star Trek Las Vegas 2007
Born (1950-11-18) November 18, 1950 (age 73)
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[edit]

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[edit]

Acting[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

  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.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eric Pierpoint.
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