James Pickens Jr.

James Pickens Jr. was born on October 26, 1954, in Cleveland, Ohio. His entry into acting began during his college years at Bowling Green State University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, graduating in 1976. Post-graduation, Pickens Jr. honed his craft on stage at the Roundabout Theatre in New York City. A notable early stage performance was in the Negro Ensemble Company’s production of “A Soldier’s Play” where he appeared alongside Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.

His television career commenced in 1986 with a role as an ambulance driver in “F/X.” The same year, he joined the cast of the soap opera “Another World,” where he remained until 1990. Throughout the 1990s, Pickens Jr. established a steady presence on television, appearing in popular series such as “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Roseanne.” He gained widespread recognition for his role as Deputy Director Alvin Kersh in “The X-Files,” a role he reprised across multiple seasons from 1998 to 2018. His film work during this period included “Menace II Society” (1993), “Dead Presidents” (1995), and “Ghosts of Mississippi” (1996).

In 2005, James Pickens Jr. began his role as Dr. Richard Webber in the medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” a character he has portrayed for an extended period. He also reprised this role in the spin-off series “Private Practice” starting in 2007. Later film appearances include “42” (2013). Off-screen, Pickens Jr. engages in competitive horseback riding and cattle roping as part of the United States Championship Roping team. He also maintains the James Pickens Jr. Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting rodeo sports.