James Pickens Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Pickens interviewed by RealTVFilms in 2016 | |
| Born | (1954-10-26)October 26, 1954 (age 70) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
James Pickens Jr. (born October 26, 1954)[1] is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role asDr. Richard Webber on theABCmedical drama television seriesGrey's Anatomy and for his supporting roles as Deputy DirectorAlvin Kersh on later seasons of theFox Networkscience fiction seriesThe X-Files and Chuck Mitchell onRoseanne (1990–96; 2018) andThe Conners (2018–22).
Pickens was born inCleveland, Ohio. He began acting as a student atBowling Green State University. His first acting role was in a campus production ofMatters of Choice by Chuck Gordone.[2] Pickens earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree fromBGSU in 1976.[2]
Pickens started his professional acting career at theRoundabout Theatre in New York City playing Walter Lee inA Raisin in the Sun.[2] In 1981, Pickens performed in theNegro Ensemble Company's production ofA Soldier's Play, starring alongsideDenzel Washington andSamuel L. Jackson.[2]
In 1986, Pickens began his TV career playing Zack Edwards on thesoap operaAnother World from 1986 to 1990. He went on to have recurring roles onThe X-Files as Deputy Director Kersh,Curb Your Enthusiasm,The West Wing,Roseanne,Beverly Hills, 90210,JAG, andSix Feet Under. He also served a role in42. In 1997, Pickens played the role of Stevens, head of NASA, in Disney’s comedy Rocket Man.
In 2002, Pickens had a cameo appearance as the male zoo doctor in the filmRed Dragon.
In 2005, Pickens was chosen to play Dr.Richard Webber on the ABC medical dramaGrey's Anatomy.
In the February 28, 2007 all-starbenefit reading of "The Gift of Peace" atUCLA's Freud Playhouse, he portrayed a man whose life experiences led him to volunteer in the peace movement. He played alongside actorsEd Asner,Barbara Bain,Amy Brenneman,George Coe, andWendie Malick. The play was an open appeal and fundraiser for passage ofU.S. HouseResolution 808,[3] which sought to establish aCabinet-level "Department of Peace" in the U.S. government, to be funded by a two-percent diversion of thePentagon's annual budget.[4]
In 2018, Pickens has reprised his role as Chuckie Mitchell in two episodes of the tenth season revival ofRoseanne.[5] In 2019, he was inducted into theNational Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.[6]
Pickens married Gina Taylor, a former member ofMusique, on May 27, 1984 and has two children. In his spare time Pickens can be found horseback riding and roping cattle. He is a member of the United States Team Roping Championship and competes inroping events across the country. He owns anAmerican Quarter Horse named Smokey.
James's two children, Carl Pickens and Gavyn Pickens, are both pursuing careers in show business. His son Carl is working on aHip-Hop career and can be seen in various television appearances, includingHangin' with Mr. Cooper where he appeared alongside his long-time friendOmar Gooding. His father James Pickens Sr. worked for the City of Cleveland.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | F/X | Ambulance Driver | |
| 1987 | Hotshot | — | |
| 1992 | Trespass | Police Officer Reese | |
| 1993 | Boiling Point | Prison Officer | |
| 1993 | Menace II Society | Man | |
| 1994 | Hostile Intentions | Capt. Connor | |
| 1994 | Jimmy Hollywood | Cook | |
| 1995 | Dead Presidents | Mr. Curtis | |
| 1995 | Nixon | Black Orator | |
| 1996 | Power 98 | Det. Wilkinson | |
| 1996 | Sleepers | Guard Marlboro | |
| 1996 | Ghosts of Mississippi | Medgar Evers | |
| 1997 | Gridlock'd | Supervisor | |
| 1997 | RocketMan | Ben Stevens | |
| 1998 | Sphere | O.S.S.A. Instructor | |
| 1998 | Bulworth | Uncle David | |
| 1998 | How Stella Got Her Groove Back | Walter Payne | |
| 1999 | Liberty Heights | Sylvia's Father | |
| 2000 | Traffic | Ben Williams | |
| 2002 | Red Dragon | Male Zoo Doctor | Uncredited |
| 2002 | Home Room | Principal Robbins | |
| 2003 | White Rush | Denny | |
| 2005 | Venom | Sheriff | |
| 2008 | Ball Don't Lie | Roberto | |
| 2010 | Just Wright | Lloyd Wright | |
| 2013 | 42 | Mr. Brock |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1990 | Another World | Zack Edwards | Unknown episodes |
| 1990–1996; 2018 | Roseanne | Chuck Mitchell | 21 episodes |
| 1991–1992 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Henry Thomas | 10 episodes |
| 1992 | Blossom | Vinnie | Episode: "The Letter" |
| 1992 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose | Fred | Episode: "Hungry Heart" |
| 1992 | L.A. Law | Joseph Russell | Episode: "Zo Long" |
| 1992 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Bert | Episode: "Roommate with a View" |
| 1992 | Exclusive | Jonathan Heglin | Television film |
| 1993 | NYPD Blue | Nathan | Episode: "Personal Foul" |
| 1993 | Murder, She Wrote | Sonny Greene | Episode: "The Survivor" |
| 1994 | Renegade | Lieutenant Pete Calloway | Episode: "Hostage" |
| 1994 | Coach | Rick Williams | Episode: "Blue Chip Blues" |
| 1994 | Me and the Boys | Coach Brown | Episode: "Black Dads Can't Jump" |
| 1994 | Sodbusters | Isaac | Television film |
| 1994 | A Child's Cry for Help | Brad Currie | Television film |
| 1994 | Lily in Winter | Chick | Television film |
| 1995 | Trail by Fire | Television film | |
| 1995 | Sharon's Secret | Ashmore | Television film |
| 1995 | Touched by an Angel | George | Episode: "The Driver" |
| 1996 | In the House | Russell | Episode: "My Crazy Valentine" |
| 1996 | The Lazarus Man | — | Episode: "The Conspirator" |
| 1996 | One West Waikiki | — | Episode: "Allergic to Golf" |
| 1996 | Dangerous Minds | Coach Butch Kelly | Episode: "Moonstruck" |
| 1996 | Bloodhounds | Agent John DeGraf | Television film |
| 1996–1997 | Something So Right | Jim | 5 episodes |
| 1997 | Pacific Palisades | Josh Smith | Episode: "Past & Present Danger" |
| 1997 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Staff Sergeant Luther Parrish | Episode: "The Fighting McLains" |
| 1997–1998 | Brooklyn South | Detective | 4 episodes |
| 1997–2000 | The Practice | Detective Mike McKrew | 15 episodes |
| 1998 | The Pretender | Clark Thomas | Episode: "Crash" |
| 1998 | Seinfeld | Detective Hudson | Episode: "The Finale" |
| 1998 | Little Girl Fly Away | Detective Walter Engelhart | Television film |
| 1998–2000 | Any Day Now | Judge Lucius Pearl | 3 episodes |
| 1998–2002; 2018[7] | The X-Files | FBI Assistant / Deputy DirectorAlvin Kersh | 20 episodes Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series |
| 1999 | Vengeance Unlimited | Mr. Hobbs | Episode: "Friends" |
| 1999 | JAG | Commander Wallace Burke | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | A Slight Case of Murder | Det. Larry Gray | Television film |
| 2000 | City of Angels | Wilson Patterson | 3 episodes |
| 2000 | Daddio | Doug Grayson | Episode: "The Premium Also Rises" |
| 2000 | The District | Mr. Lane | Episode: "The Real Terrorist" |
| 2000 | Family Law | — | Episode: "Family Values" |
| 2000 | NYPD Blue | Lt. Joe Abner | 3 episodes |
| 2001 | Semper Fi | Mr. Maddox | Television film |
| 2001–2002 | Philly | Clyde Coleman | 7 episodes |
| 2002 | Strong Medicine | Dr. Everett Sloane | Episode: "Outcomes" |
| 2002 | Crossing Jordan | Agent Hawkins | Episode: "Bombs Away" |
| 2002 | MDs | Mr. Farrell | Episode: "Cruel and Unusual" |
| 2002–2003 | Six Feet Under | Roderick Charles | 2 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | Becker | Cliff Bennett | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | CSI: Miami | Prison Warden | Episode: "Body Count" |
| 2003 | The Lyon's Den | Terrance Christianson | 3 episodes |
| 2004 | Line of Fire | Kenneth Stevens | Episode: "The Senator" |
| 2004 | The West Wing | Mayor | Episode: "Full Disclosure" |
| 2004 | Jack & Bobby | Marcus Ride | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2005 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Doctor | 2 episodes |
| 2005–present | Grey's Anatomy | Dr. Richard Webber | 405 episodes NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated—Golden Nymph Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series(2006–11) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series(2006, 2008) |
| 2007–2009 | Private Practice | Dr. Richard Webber | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Seattle Grace: Message of Hope | Dr. Richard Webber | 6 episodes |
| 2018 | Grey's Anatomy: B-Team | Dr. Richard Webber | 1 episode |
| 2018 | Yellowstone | Old Cowboy | Episode: "The Unravelling, Pt. 2" |
| 2018–2022 | The Conners | Chuck Mitchell | 9 episodes |
| 2020–2024 | Station 19 | Dr. Richard Webber | 6 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | Charles (voice) | 2 episodes |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
