Ray Wise: The Devil
Date Of Birth: August 20th, 1947 Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Acclaimed actor Ray Wise stars as the Devil himself in The CW's "Reaper."
A veteran of television and film, Wise received widespread critical acclaim last year for his memorable performance as troubled newsman Don Hollenbeck in the Warner Independent film "Good Night, and Good Luck," written, directed and starring George Clooney. Wise and his co-stars shared "Best Ensemble Cast" nominations at both the 2006 Critic's Choice Awards and Screen Actor's Guild Award ceremonies. On the small screen, Wise recurred as Vice President Hal Gardner on the popular series "24," starring Kiefer Sutherland.
Wise's impressive acting resume includes more than 30 feature films, including starring roles in "Jeepers Creepers 2"; "Two Can Play That Game," with Vivica A. Fox; "Bob Roberts," with Tim Robbins; "Rising Sun," with Wesley Snipes; "The Chase," with Charlie Sheen; "Robocop," "Powder," with Mary Steenburgen and Jeff Goldblum, and "The Rainmakers." One of his favorite roles was playing Sol Gann, a Depression-era father in Disney's classic family drama "The Journey of Natty Gann."
On the small screen, Wise starred in Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's television movie, "The Battle of Shaker Heights" for Project Greenlight on HBO. Other recurring and guest roles on television include "The Closer," "Bones,” CSI," "Law & Order: SVU," "The West Wing," "Resurrection Blvd.," "Second Chances," "Savannah,” "The Larry Sanders Show," "Knots Landing," "The Colbys," "Dallas" and "Twin Peaks." It was his role on the latter that Wise credits for catapulting him into international stardom.
To date, Wise has also starred in 85 stage productions, including Broadway performances of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Tartuffe." His role as Yank Smith in Eugene O'Neill's "The Hairy Ape" garnered rave reviews, and in 1983, he received an OBIE Award for his work in Sam Shepard's "The Tooth of Crime."
Upcoming theatrical releases include "The Flock," opposite Richard Gere and Claire Danes; "One Missed Call," with Edward Burns; and "Infestation," an action comedy from Mel Gibson's Icon Productions.
Wise lives in Southern California with his wife and children.
