Greg Grunberg
ALL ABOUT GREG GRUNBERG
Full Name: Gregory Phillip Grunberg
Date of Birth: 11 July 1966
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
Spouse: Elizabeth Dawn Wershow (19 December 1992 - present) 3 children
Family: Brother - Brother: Bradley H Grunberg. born c. 1964, Father - Father: Gerry Grunberg, Mother - Mother: Sandy Grunberg, Son - Jake Grunberg. suffers from pediatric epilepsy; mother, Elizabeth Grunberg
Education: San Diego State University, San Diego, California, business, BS
Bio:
A familiar face on television screens since the turn of the new millennium, actor Greg Grunberg started out his career in commercials before graduating to supporting roles in both film and television. Well-known for playing sidekicks and amiable “wing men,” Grunberg’s career began its spike in the early part of the decade, paralleling the career trajectory of his lifelong friend, writer-director-producer, J.J. Abrams of “Alias” (ABC, 2001-06) and “Lost” (ABC, 2004- )fame. A charter member of Abrams’ informal repertory company of players, Grunberg appeared in several of the director’s earliest projects, beginning in elementary school. This friendship eventually resulted in a professional association that would continue long after both men’s careers had become famously established – with Grunberg’s star-making turn as the telepathic Matt Packman on the monster superhero hit, “Heroes” (NBC, 2006- ).
Born in Los Angeles, CA on July 11, 1966, Gregory Phillip Grunberg discovered his life’s calling from early on. An active participant in student theater programs throughout elementary, middle and high schools, Grunberg found a lifelong collaborator in the form of future auteur, Jeffrey “J.J.” Abrams. A fan of Abrams’ creativity since the day they met in kindergarten, Grunberg originally thought he, like Abrams, would grow up to become a writer. Eventually, though, Grunberg discovered he gained greater satisfaction from acting. Grunberg’s earliest acting gigs came courtesy of Abrams, himself – albeit, non-paying. By his early teens, Grunberg found himself cast in many of the aspiring young filmmaker’s earliest enterprises, including experimental music videos, short films, and countless commercial spoofs. From then on, the two of them became partners in crime.
After college, Grunberg recruited a group of his friends – most of them, fellow unemployed actors – to launch Yogurt Runners, a frozen yogurt delivery service that catered to studios, agencies and other big-wig Hollywood clientele. It was, as Grunberg recalled, “A great experience. I could go on auditions during the day and sell frozen yogurt in the afternoon, and still make a living. It was a great way to earn my income without having to wait tables. It was a pretty successful business… and I kept a lot of my actor friends employed.” Nevertheless, the lure of acting still held Grunberg’s foremost attention. Luckily, the early personal connections he had made in life were about to pay off handsomely in his professional life.
In the mid 1990’s, as J.J. Abrams’ screenwriting career was just taking flight, Grunberg was working in the industry as an assistant to movie producer, Joel Silver. Working under Silver for a year, Grunberg got a taste of how the biggest producer in Hollywood worked and the importance of staying connected. Recalled Grunberg, “If I learned anything from Joel, [it was] that if you want to do it, you can do it… you just have to have the balls to do it and be ready when the door opens.” Finally biting the bullet, Grunberg left his job with Silver and embarked on a professional acting career. Alas, Grunberg’s bold decision did not yield immediate success. Luckily, though, after about a year-long odyssey of auditioning and rejections, Grunberg landed his first commercial – a local daytime spot for the Computer Learning Center in Southern California. Within six years, Grunberg had over 60 commercials under his belt – his best known – a national spot for the antacid Rolaids – ran for nearly two years.
From there, Grunberg segued easily into guest starring roles on television. Among the actor’s earliest roles were in such fluffy syndicated fare as the Pamela Anderson vehicle, “V.I.P.” (Syndicated, 1998-2002) and the cable crime-drama mainstay, “Silk Stalkings” (USA, 1991-99). While Grunberg later admitted that the quality of these early roles left something to be desired, he was thankful at the time, just to have them. “I never complained,” said Grunberg, “My father always told me, ‘Work begets work begets work begets work.’”
And eventually, so it did. In 1998, Grunberg got a call from Abrams, asking if he would be interested in a regular role in his newly greenlit series, “Felicity” (WB, 1998-2002). Needless to say, Grunberg accepted. For four seasons, he played the wonky Sean Blumberg – a character who Abrams had specifically written with his friend in mind, hence the similar name. At the same time, Grunberg also began doing double-duty as CIA field agent Eric Weiss on Abrams’ other hit show, “Alias.” As the result of both shows being great successes, Grunberg received significant screen exposure. Despite only being a recurring character on both, between the two shows, he ended up appearing in nearly 140 hours of produced television within just seven years.
In 2003, Grunberg starred opposite Jason Bateman in an unaired comedy pilot called “The Jake Effect.” Though the show was scheduled to premiere in 2003 as a mid-season replacement, NBC pulled the plug before the first episode even aired – despite having seven episodes already in the can. (The episodes eventually aired in 2006 on NBC’s Bravo Network). Though deeply disappointed by the sitcom’s failure, Grunberg soldiered on and remained busy with a full plate of guest appearances on such hits as “The Dead Zone” (USA, 2002- ) “House” (Fox, 2004- ), “What About Brian” (ABC, 2006- ) and “Monk” (USA, 2002- ).
In 2006, Grunberg’s fortunes took a massive turn when he joined the cast of the fall season’s most anticipated television show, “Heroes.” Introduced in the second episode, “Don’t Look Back,” Grunberg played Matt Parkman, a Los Angeles police detective who gains the power of “clairaudient telepathy” – or the ability to hear the thoughts of others. As the season progressed and Parkman’s character became more fleshed out, audiences discovered that the character’s power could not be controlled. Unable to turn off his telepathy at will, Parkman eventually began hearing voices in his mind around the clock. This inability to differentiate thoughts from actual voices not only threatened Parkman’s sanity, but also caused him painful, migraine-like headaches – all of which held viewers’ rapt attention, finally putting Greg Grunberg on a non-Abrams map of his own making.
Trivia:
Greg joined Weight Watchers to help his character shed some pounds.
Right now, while filming for Heroes, Greg is also filming for his upcoming movie, Magic, where he plays Detective Davis. (2006)
Greg played a small role in Mission Impossible 3. He can be seen in the beginning, during the Ethan Hunt’s engagement party.
Greg was one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive in 2006 along with the other men in the Heroes cast. They can be found in the Newcomers section of the magazine.
Greg originally auditioned for the part of Peter Petrelli in the show ‘Heroes’ but ended up with the part of Matt Parkman, which was changed/created for him.
The band Greg is in is called Band From TV. They are making a CD and can be found at bandfromtv.net.
Greg plays in a celebrity band with Hugh Laurie and James Denton.
Greg is currently working on a Drama pilot that is in production for NBC entitled, Heroes.
Greg will be appearing in at least four of the final episodes of Alias.
Greg will also be appearing in the series finale of Alias.
Greg recently shot a pilot currently entitled Grand Union. This comedy is being marketed as a mid-season pick up show. The show will mark Greg’s first lead character role. The show does not involve J.J. Abrams.
Greg likes to play racing and sports games and loves the game Burnout. Greg doesn’t like to play games that take a lot of time.
Greg created and ran a very successful frozen yogurt delivery service.
Greg likes to play the game Mario Kart with his three sons.
Greg’s nickname is Grunny. Greg’s friends including J.J. Abrams and Michael Vartarn call him Grunny.
Greg will be playing the title role in the game entitled Condemned: Criminal Origins, which is due out in 2007.
Greg will have another appearance on Alias prior to the series finale.
Greg Grunberg is 6′2″ tall.
Greg’s son Jake was diagnosed with pediatric epilepsy in 2003. Greg was featured in People Magazine, April 4, 2005, in an article called “Dad Steps Up.” Greg is a big supporter of the Pediatric Epilepsy Project.
Greg Grunberg is married to Elizabeth and they have three sons who are named Jake, Ben, and Sam.
Greg’s brother, Bradley (Brad) Grunberg, is also an actor.
Greg quit Alias for a role in an ABC pilot called The Catch. Although it didn’t get picked up, he stands by his decision and says that he’s got several television projects in the works.
Greg has known director J.J. Abrams since they were both in kindergarten.
Quotes:
(If he could read minds)”I want in to the mind of Tim Kring so bad you have no idea! As actors on this amazing show, we are subjected to just as much of a rollercoaster ride as the viewers. We just get to take the ride a few weeks before you do. Tim and Dennis and Jesse and Joseph and Alan and Bryan and Michael and Greg and all the other geniuses behind this show know what lies ahead, but they won’t give it up! That sucks as an actor, when the material is this good and the twists and turns can either take you to the top of the food chain or bury you, never to be seen again. Let someone else use the power of mind-reading for the greater good of society…I just want to use it to keep my job on this show. I LOVE MY JOB! Can I take my head out of Tim’s ass now, please?”
(If he could have any power)”I would definitely not want everyone thinking of me in the “real world.” I have learned that all of these powers fall under the Be careful what you wish for… category. Too much information is not a good thing sometimes. I would want the ability to eat anything and everything I can get my hands on and not worry about gaining a pound. I want to walk around with a big C on my chest that stands for CARBS! I want the power of super-metabolism! Nothing against Weight Watchers; heck it’s working for me…but come on, how great would that be?”
(on not Being in the Heroes pilot): “There’s a superstition that I share and that is that if I’m in a pilot, there’s a problem. I wasn’t in the pilot of Felicity, and I was a regular for years. I wasn’t in the pilot of Alias, I was a regular for years. I was in the pilot for Lost, and I was eaten in about five minutes. So guess what, I’m not gonna do pilots anymore! I’ll star in your shows, but I gotta start in the second episode.”
(On what special power he would pick.)” It’s actually kind of sad the things people think about you in their own minds. I would love to have speed, the ability to travel long distances in a flash.”
(must have DVD) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. “I can’t put that thing down. It’s my all-time favorite movie. It’s always either on to of the DVD or very near it. The kids and I love watching it together.”
(On still getting recognized for his work on Felicity) “All the time. Usually, people tell me that their daughter was off in college, and it was a way they could connect. And a lot of guys who say, “Don’t tell anyone this but I loved that show.”"
(on his TV crush) “Virginia Madsen. She’s on that new show Smith, so I can see her on TV. And Henry Winkler. Who didn’t have a crush on the Fonz?”
(on his favorite TV snacks) “Homemade popcorn with macaroni and cheese seasoning on it and surgar-free orange popsicles.”
(Guilty pleasure show?)” My Wife and I love Lost. And were very much looking forward to Heroes.”
Holmes on Homes.” The contractor Mike Holmes, goes and fixes homes where other contractors have failed. It’s the greatest show.”
“Having my kids in there kind of dictates what I watch. It’s Dora the Explorer or Barney, and now it’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. But we all love HGTV.”
(On his favorite spot to watch TV) “In my master bedroom. I’ve got three boys, and I just love watching TV cuddled up with my kids.”
Filmography:
Greg Grunberg Filmography as an Actor:
2007 Heroes: Season 02
2006 Monk: Mr. Monk and the Actor
2006 Mission: Impossible III
2006 Heroes: Season 01
2006 The Darkroom
2005 Alias: Season 04
2004 Lost: Pilot, Part 1
2004 The Ladykillers
2003 Alias: The Telling
2003 Alias: Endgame
2003 Alias: Firebomb
2003 Alias: Phase One
2003 Alias: Second Double
2003 Alias: A Dark Turn
2003 Alias: Double Agent
2003 Alias: The Getaway
2003 Malibu’s Most Wanted
2002 Alias: The Enemy Walks In
2001 Felicity: Season 04
2001 NYPD Blue: Under Covers
2001 NYPD Blue: In the Wind
2001 NYPD Blue: Lost Time
2000 Hollow Man
2000 Felicity: Season 03
1999 Felicity: Season 02
1998 Felicity: Season 01
1996 Murphy Brown: Miles Away
1996 The Trigger Effect
1996 The Pallbearer
1992 Witchcraft 5: Dance with the Devil
1991 Frankenstein: The College Years
1990 Stolen: One Husband
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