Ray Wise

In REAPER (CW Network), one of the most critically acclaimed comedies that premiered last season (2007), Ray Wise stars opposite BRET HARRISON and TYLER LABINE as the Devil himself in the series produced by ABC Studios. After turning 21, a young slacker (Harrison) learns that his parents had sold his soul to the Devil (Wise) before he was born.  Now, he must serve as the Devil’s bounty hunter, tracking down evil souls that have escaped the devils clutches and return them to Hell. The Television Critics Association recognized Ray Wise with a 2008 (Individual Achievement in Comedy Award) nomination.

A veteran of TV and film, most recently, Ray Wise received widespread critical acclaim for his memorable performance as troubled newsman Don Hollenbeck in the Warner Independent film, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, written, directed and starring GEORGE CLOONEY. Ray Wise and his co-stars shared “Best Ensemble Cast” nominations at both the 2006 Critic’s Choice Awards and Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) Award ceremonies. On the small screen, Ray Wise recurred as Vice-President Hal Gardner on the popular Fox TV series 24 starring KEIFER SUTHERLAND.  

Ray Wise’s impressive acting resume includes more than 30 feature films including, starring roles in JEEPERS CREEPERS 2, TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME (with VIVICA A. FOX), BOB ROBERTS (with TIM ROBBINS), RISING SUN (with WESLEY SNIPES), THE CHASE (with CHARLIE SHEEN), ROBOCOP, POWDER (with MARY STEENBURGEN and JEFF GOLDBLUM) and THE RAINMAKERS. One of his favorite roles was playing “Sol Gann,” a Depression-era father in Disney’s classic family drama THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN. He also co-starred in ONE MISSED CALL with EDWARD BURNS,

On the small screen, Ray Wise starred in MATT DAMON and BEN AFFLECK’s made-for-TV movie, THE BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS for Project Greenlight on HBO.  Other recurring and guest roles on TV series include THE CLOSER, BONES, CSI, LAW & ORDER: SVU, THE WEST WING, RESURRECTION BLVD., SECOND CHANCES, SAVANNAH, THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, KNOTS LANDING, THE COLBYS, DALLAS, and TWIN PEAKS. It was his role on the latter that Wise credits for catapulting him into international stardom.

To date, Ray Wise has also starred in 85 stage productions, including Broadway performances of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Tartuffe.”  His role as Yank Smith in Eugene O’Neill’s “The Hairy Ape” garnered rave reviews, and in 1983, he received an OBIE Award for his work in Sam Shepard’s “The Tooth of Crime.”

Theatrical releases include RESERVATIONS, where he is cast in a leading role along with Robin Weigert, Vanessa Johansson and Ulrich Thomsen. He was also seen in THE FLOCK (opposite RICHARD GERE and CLAIRE DANES).

Ray Wise currently resides in Southern California with his wife and children.