Craig Bierko
{{Short description|American actor (born 1964)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| years_active = 1987–present
| birth_name = Craig Philip Bierko
| image = Craig Bierko (28071531775).jpg
| caption = Bierko in 2016
| name = Craig Bierko
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|08|18}}
| birth_place = Rye Brook, New York, U.S.
| occupation = {{csv|Actor|singer}}
}}
Craig Philip Bierko (born August 18, 1964) is an American actor.
Early life
Bierko was born in Rye Brook, New York, where, for a brief time, his mother Pat was president of The Harrison Players, a local community theatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/23/births.html|title=Births|date=23 August 1964|work=The New York Times|access-date=22 July 2016}}
After graduating Blind Brook High School, Bierko spent his freshman year studying journalism at Boston University’s School of Public Communications. But he spent most of his time across the Charles River doing plays at Harvard. The following year Bierko transferred to Northwestern University to study acting alongside David Schwimmer, Stephen Colbert, George Newbern and Harry Lennix. He graduated in 1986 with a BS in theater arts from the School of Speech.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/10/23/the-acting-cycle/|title=The Acting Cycle|website=Chicago Tribune |date=October 23, 1989 |access-date=22 July 2016}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20150220175639/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/6122/Craig-Bierko/biography Craig Bierko biography]
Career
= Television and film =
Bierko’s film roles include Timothy in the 1996 action film The Long Kiss Goodnight which he credits for being cast in far more interesting, darkly humorous roles such as{{Cite news|url=https://serendipitysocial.com/westchesters-craig-bierko-30-year-acting-career/|title=Craig Bierko On His 30-Year Acting Career - Serendipity|last=LevinEpstein|first=Amy|date=2018-03-19|work=Serendipity|access-date=2018-03-26|language=en-US}} Max Baer in Ron Howard’s Cinderella Man opposite Russell Crowe, Tom Ryan in Scary Movie 4 (spoofing Tom Cruise throughout the film), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and The Thirteenth Floor. Bierko was the original choice for the character of Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends but turned it down, contrary to the advice of his friends Matthew Perry and Hank Azaria.[https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/05/friends-oral-history-top-of-the-rock "With Friends Like These"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121041720/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/05/friends-oral-history-top-of-the-rock |date=January 21, 2015 }}"CBC Radio Interview"[https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/tuesday-nov-22-2022-matthew-perry-harry-connick-jr-and-more-1.6658632/matthew-perry-once-prayed-to-god-for-fame-now-his-dream-is-to-help-others-struggling-with-addiction-1.6659936] He played "the jazz guy" Ray King, a love interest for Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) in the fourth season of Sex and the City, attorney Jeffrey Coho on season three of the ABC television series Boston Legal, and one of four newly divorced friends on Fox’s short-lived Unhitched. Bierko was cast as Dave Lister in the pilot for the American TV version of the British show Red Dwarf. He has appeared twice on TV's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - first as Andy Eckerson, a United States Deputy Marshal who is working with the SVU (and ex-flame Det. Olivia Benson) to recapture an escaped convict,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0081572/|title=Craig Bierko|website=IMDb |access-date=22 July 2016}} and several years later, a serial rapist.
Bierko appeared for four seasons in the Peabody Award-winning series UnREAL as Chet Wilton, the eccentric, drug addicted, womanizing creator of a reality dating show.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/craig-bierko-to-star-in-un-real-michael-irby-joins-the-lottery-lifetime-807907/|title=Craig Bierko To Star In New Lifetime Series 'Un-Real', Michael Irby Joins 'The Lottery'|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=22 July 2014|access-date=22 July 2016}} Recently, he appeared on The Blacklist as The Chairman, the coldly sociopathic head of an underground stock market for criminals, and was seen on season two of the hit Netflix show Sex/Life as a superstar literary agent.
= Theater roles =
In 2000, Bierko made his Broadway debut as Professor Harold Hill in Susan Stroman's critically acclaimed revival of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, for which he received a Tony Award nomination.
Bierko was slated to appear on Broadway in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of To Be or Not to Be but withdrew from the production August 29, 2008, for creative differences.[http://www.playbill.com/article/bierko-withdraws-from-to-be-or-not-to-be-rasche-joins-cast-com-152777 "Bierko Withdraws from To Be or Not To Be"] Playbill He starred as Sky Masterson in the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls which began performances at the Nederlander Theatre on February 5, 2009, and officially opened on March 1, 2009.[http://www.broadway.com/On-the-Scene-Hair-Cast-Performs-Aquarius-Meets-the-Press/broadway_video/5020491 "Luck Be a Lady": Guys and Dolls Returns to Broadway Feb. 5] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222211415/http://www.broadway.com/On-the-Scene-Hair-Cast-Performs-Aquarius-Meets-the-Press/broadway_video/5020491 |date=2009-02-22 }} It closed on June 14, 2009, after 113 performances.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130070-Adelaide%27s_New_Lament_Broadway%27s_Guys_and_Dolls_to_Close_June_14 Adelaide's New Lament: Broadway's Guys and Dolls to Close June 14] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612021905/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130070-Adelaide%27s_New_Lament_Broadway%27s_Guys_and_Dolls_to_Close_June_14 |date=June 12, 2009 }} He performed the role of Peter in the acclaimed 2011 New York Philharmonic production of Stephen Sondheim's Company with Neil Patrick Harris, Patti Lupone and Stephen Colbert.
Bierko replaced Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical at the Shubert Theatre along with Jill Paice as Miss Honey on September 3, 2013, but could not start performances until September 17 following a neck and shoulder injury he suffered rehearsing a gymnastic flip.Hetrick, Adam. {{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/181698-Injury-Delays-Craig-Bierkos-Arrival-in-Matilda-Chris-Hoch-Steps-in-as-Trunchbull-Sept-3 |title=Injury Delays Craig Bierko's Arrival in Matilda; Chris Hoch Steps in as Trunchbull Sept. 3 - Playbill.com |access-date=2013-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907153727/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/181698-Injury-Delays-Craig-Bierkos-Arrival-in-Matilda-Chris-Hoch-Steps-in-as-Trunchbull-Sept-3 |archive-date=2013-09-07 }} playbill.com, September 3, 2013 Despite the injury, Bierko continued rehearsing, eventually performing the role for about a month before the shoulder injury - along with a foot injury sustained during performance - made it impractical to continue.Hetrick, Adam. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/184618-Injured-Craig-Bierko-Officially-Departs-Broadways-Matilda-The-Musical "Injured Craig Bierko Officially Departs Broadways Matilda the Musical"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127081129/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/184618-Injured-Craig-Bierko-Officially-Departs-Broadways-Matilda-The-Musical |date=2013-11-27 }} playbill.com, November 19, 2013
In 2022, Conor McPherson cast Bierko as Mr. Burke in his Girl from the North Country (featuring music by Bob Dylan) opposite Luba Mason and Mare Winningham. The Tony Award-winning limited engagement played its final performance June 19, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Girl From the North Country Returns to Broadway April 29 |url=https://playbill.com/article/girl-from-the-north-country-returns-to-broadway-april-29 |website=Playbill}}
Personal life
Bierko was in a relationship with actress Charlize Theron from 1995 to 1997.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157720455/|title=She's Living on Fast Track Reserved for the Beautiful|author=Kristine McKenna|date=29 May 1997|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=5 March 2024|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305170818/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157720455/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/143703-who-has-charlize-theron-dated-a-look-at-the-mad-max-fury-road-stars-dating-history|title=Who Has Charlize Theron Dated? A Look At The 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Star's Dating History|website=Bustle|date=28 February 2016 |access-date=5 March 2024|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301134757/https://www.bustle.com/articles/143703-who-has-charlize-theron-dated-a-look-at-the-mad-max-fury-road-stars-dating-history|url-status=live}}
Filmography and stage work
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1987
|Love Note |Craig Johnson |Video |
| 1991
|Victimless Crimes |Terry Sullivan | |
| 1996
|Timothy | |
| 1996
|Christmas Radio Preacher | |
| 1997
|Jon Hass | |
| 1998
|Richie Maxwell | |
| 1998
|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas |Lacerda | |
| 1999
|Mitch | |
| 1999
|Douglas Hall, John Ferguson, David | |
| 2000
|The Cherry Picker | |Short film |
| 2001
|Actor in Advertisement |Uncredited |
| 2002
|Peter | |
| 2003
|Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star |George Finney | |
| 2004
|Sarge (voice) | |
| 2005
| |
| 2006
| |
| 2006
|Randy Merrick | |
| 2006
|Talk Show Host | |
| 2007
|Sergeant |Uncredited |
| 2008
|Deleted scenes |
| 2008
|A Bad Situation |Richard |Video |
| 2011
|Peter |Filmed production |
| 2011
|Valtan | |
| 2011
|Bad Seed |Bert | |
| 2012
|Mac Mioski | |
| 2013
|Eddie Stolzenberg | |
| 2013
|If I Had Wings |Geoff Taylor | |
| 2016
|Benji Akers | |
| 2016
|The Talk Show Host | |
| 2019
|Fair Market Value |Lucas | |
| 2021
|Scenes from an Empty Church |The Sinner | |
| 2021
|Walt | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1987
|Dale |Episode: "The Ditch" |
| 1987
|Douglas |Episode: "The Children's Crusade" |
| 1987
|Carl Warner |Episode: "The Day My Kid Went Punk" |
| 1988
|Amen |Bellman |Episode: "A Sight Case of Murder (2)" |
| 1988
|Waiter |Episode: "Don't Change a Hair for Me" |
| 1989
|Greg | |
| 1989
|Dirk |2 episodes |
| 1989
|Johnny Ryan |2 episodes |
| 1990
|Matt Keating |13 episodes |
| 1990
|Matt Sargent |Episode: "The Puppet Master" |
| 1990
|Alex |Episode: "Rootless People" |
| 1991
|Fred |Episode: "The Man That Got Away" |
| 1991
|Bill Noonan |Episode: "A Star Is Born" |
| 1992
|Joe Bowman |4 episodes |
| 1992 |
| 1993
|Thomas Wilkes |Episode: "Trial by Fire" |
| 1993
|Spencer Hill |Television film |
| 1994–1995
|B.J. Cooper |16 episodes |
| 1995
|Greg Sherman |6 episodes |
| 1998
|Gardner Mulloy |Episode: "Weekend in L.A." |
| 2000
|Dennis Martin |Episode: "In Search of Pygmies" |
| 2001
|Ray King |2 episodes |
| 2002
|Harlan Brandt | |
| 2003
|Hench at Home |Terry Hench |Television film |
| 2003, 2016
|Law & Order: Special Victims Unit |Deputy Marshal Andy Eckerson, Bobby D'Amico |2 episodes |
| 2005
|Untitled David Diamond/David Weissman Project |Dylan |Television film |
| 2006
|The Great Malones | |Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2006–2007
|Jeffrey Coho |14 episodes |
| 2007
|Bob Easton |Episode: "Carly Summers" |
| 2008
|Jack "Gator" Gately |6 episodes |
| 2009
| |Episode: "The Big Book" |
| 2010
|Duke Roscoe |Episode: "Infamy" |
| 2010
|Terry Brooke |4 episodes |
| 2010
|Craig O'Connor |Episode: "Bro-Lo El Cuñado" |
| 2010–2011
|Eddie Chiapetta |3 episodes |
| 2011
|Alan |Episode: "Superman" |
| 2011–2012
|Andy Corvell |5 episodes |
| 2011
|Ray Santino |2 episodes |
| 2011
|Jebedehia Bateman |8 episodes |
| 2011
|Doc Dugan |Episode: "The Redshirt" |
| 2012
|6 passi nel giallo |Harry Chase |Episode: "Visions of Murder" |
| 2012, 2014
|Donald |2 episodes |
| 2012
|Jim Fowkes |Episode: "The Rat Race" |
| 2013
|Dr. Derrick Malcolm |Episode: "Committed" |
| 2013–2014
|Bill |2 episodes |
| 2013
|Marco Lantini |Episode: "A Moveable Feast" |
| 2015–2018
|Chet Wilton |38 episodes |
| 2017
|Peter |Episode: "The Back Out" |
| 2017
|Dermot O'Hanrahan |Episode: "Jack" |
| 2018
|Ray Cross |Episode: "Meet the New Boss" |
| 2022
|The Chairman |Episode: "The Chairman (No. 171)" |
| 2023
|Mick |4 episodes |
| 2023
|Ross Macdonald |Episode: "Loup en Croûte" |
=Stage=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2000–2001
|Harold Hill |Broadway |
| 2001–2002
|Laurent LeClaire |Broadway |
| 2004–2005
|Modern Orthodox |Ben Jacobson |Off-Broadway |
| 2009
|Sky Masterson |Broadway |
| 2011
|Peter |New York Philharmonic Concert |
| 2013
|Broadway replacement |
| 2022
|Mr. Burke |Broadway |
Awards and recognition
- Sexiest Broadway Star by People (2000)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for The Music Man (nominee, 2000)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for The Music Man (nominee, 2000)
- Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actor in a Musical for The Music Man (nominee, 2000)
- Theatre World Award (winner, 2000)
- Broadway.com Audience Awards (winner, 2000)
- 100 Most Creative People in Entertainment "It" List, 2003 Entertainment Weekly
- Shorty Award for Humor (nominee, 2014)
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Twitter|MrCraigBierko}}
- {{IMDb name|81572|Craig Bierko}}
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{iobdb name|20897}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bierko, Craig}}
Category:Jewish American male actors
Category:Jewish American singers
Category:Jews from New York (state)
Category:Male actors from New York (state)
Category:American male film actors
Category:American people of Polish descent
Category:American male musical theatre actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:Boston University College of Communication alumni
Category:Northwestern University School of Communication alumni
Category:People from Rye Brook, New York
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors