FG
Frank Grillo

Frank Grillo

The oldest of three children, Grillo initially harbored dreams of becoming a professional athlete and was a serious student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His experiences in the drama department at his high school in upstate New York brought out a more creative side. However, Grillo decided to study business at NYU instead. His tenure on Wall Street ended when a chance meeting with a casting director brought him into the lucrative world of TV commercials. Before long, Grillo was appearing in nationwide spots for American Express and other major brands, while putting his athleticism to use as a fitness model. After marrying in 1991, he branched out into films with a small part as a hardened detective in "Deadly Rivals," which proved to be the first of many authoritative roles that capitalized on his Italian background and rugged charm. From 1996 to 1999 he portrayed the shifty Hart Jessup on "Guiding Light," and married Moniz a year after leaving the legendary soap. The early 2000s saw Grillo deliver solid supporting performances in everything from the sci-fi thriller "Minority Report" (2002) to the breakout FX hit "The Shield" (2002-08), but it was his portrayal of conniving lawyer Nick Savrinn on "Prison Break" that proved to be his career's turning point. By now an in-demand actor on TV procedurals and crime dramas, Grillo eventually landed the lead role of a recently transplanted doctor in "The Gates," whose quick cancellation allowed Grillo to put his MMA background to good use in the testosterone-fueled "Warrior" (2011). That same year he challenged Neeson's leadership in the man vs. nature thriller "The Grey," and later portrayed Gyllenhaal's boozy sergeant in the critically acclaimed "End of Watch."
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