James Pickens, Jr
plays Dr Richard Webber
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, James Pickens, Jr. started acting at
the Karamu House, distinguished as the oldest African-American
theater in the United States.
After moving to New York, he performed in the historic 1981
production of Charles Fullers' "A Soldiers Play" at the Negro
Ensemble Company with fellow cast members Denzel Washington and
Samuel L. Jackson.
He was a member of the famed Circle Rep/Steppenwolf Theatre Company
co-production of Lanford Wilson's "Balm in Gilead," and he starred
as Water Lee in the 25th anniversary revival of "A Raisin in the
Sun" at the Roundabout Theater.
In 1990 Pickens moved to the West Coast and began an impressive run
of film and television performances.
On the big screen, he has been directed by some of the film
industry's finest, including Steven Soderbergh in "Traffic," Oliver
Stone in "Nixon" and Warren Beatty in "Bulworth," and he appeared
in four Barry Levinson films - "Sleepers," "Sphere," "Jimmy
Hollywood" and "Liberty Heights."
He portrayed slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers in "Ghosts of
Mississippi" (directed by Rob Reiner), and he played Angela
Bassett's ex-husband in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back."
Other films include "Menace II Society," "Home Room," "Gridlock'd"
and the upcoming "Just Wright," starring Queen Latifah and
Common.
Pickens is well known to television audiences for his recurring
roles on hit series including "NYPD Blue," "The X-Files," "The
Practice," "Philly," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Six Feet Under," "The
West Wing," "Rosanne" and "Beverly Hills 90210."
He starred opposite Rob Lowe in "The Lyons Den" (NBC) and also
starred with William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman in "A Slight Case
of Murder" (TNT).
He received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Drama Ensemble
and four NAACP Image Awards nominations for his role on "Grey's
Anatomy."
A man of wide ranging interests and passions, Pickens came full
circle with his beloved Karamu House when he served as executive
producer of Otis Sallid's hit musical review, "Gospel, Gospel,
Gospel," which opened to rave reviews in Los Angeles.
He is a member of the Untied States Team Roping Championship,
roping cattle on horseback at events across the country.
Pickens recently delivered the keynote address to graduates at his
alma mater, Bowling Green State University, and was honored by the
Cleveland Cavaliers during their annual Black Heritage
Celebration.
He and his wife, Gina, a singer, live in the San Fernando Valley.
They have a son and a daughter.
