Billy Wirth
Encyclopedia
William E. "Billy" Wirth (born June 23, 1962) is an American
actor, film producer, and artist, perhaps best known for his role in the 1987 film, The Lost Boys
.
to a lawyer father and an artist mother who may have been of part Huron Native American ancestry. He attended Brown University
. There, he was discovered by the noted photographer Bruce Weber
, and began a modeling career in New York. He moved to California in the 1980s to pursue an acting career, which began with a role in the 1985 feature, Seven Minutes in Heaven
. His performance as Dwayne in The Lost Boys followed, and he landed a starring role in the 1988 film, War Party
.
Wirth has continued acting since, working in both film and television, appearing for example in Abel Ferrara
's 1993 film Body Snatchers
as well as Sex and the City
and CSI
. He also took part in the television series American Gladiators
competing during the series' first season in 1989 and advancing to the first-half semifinals before falling. He also starred in Charmed
as Matthew Tate. Since 1999, he has also been writing, directing, and producing independent films. His work on directing, writing, and producing his 2001 film MacArthur Park
has earned him several award nominations. In addition to his work in the film industry, Wirth is also a musician and artist.
:
Taos Talking Picture Festival:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor, film producer, and artist, perhaps best known for his role in the 1987 film, The Lost Boys
The Lost Boys
The Lost Boys is a 1987 American teen comedy horror film directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Edward Herrmann, Alex Winter, Jamison Newlander, and Barnard Hughes....
.
Life and career
Wirth was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to a lawyer father and an artist mother who may have been of part Huron Native American ancestry. He attended Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
. There, he was discovered by the noted photographer Bruce Weber
Bruce Weber (photographer)
Bruce Weber is an American fashion photographer and occasional filmmaker. He is most widely known for his ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Pirelli, Abercrombie & Fitch, Revlon, and Gianni Versace, as well as his work for Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Elle, Life, Interview, and Rolling Stone...
, and began a modeling career in New York. He moved to California in the 1980s to pursue an acting career, which began with a role in the 1985 feature, Seven Minutes in Heaven
Seven Minutes in Heaven (film)
Seven Minutes in Heaven is a 1985 teen film directed by Linda Feferman, starring Jennifer Connelly in one of her first roles.-Plot:Natalie allows her classmate Jeff , who ran away from home after a fight with his stepfather , to stay at her place while her father is away on a business trip...
. His performance as Dwayne in The Lost Boys followed, and he landed a starring role in the 1988 film, War Party
War Party (film)
War Party is a 1988 film starring Billy Wirth and Kevin Dillon. The film, set in present day Montana, explores the tension and mistrust that can characterize interactions between Native American and White American cultures....
.
Wirth has continued acting since, working in both film and television, appearing for example in Abel Ferrara
Abel Ferrara
Abel Ferrara is an American film screenwriter and director. He is best known as an independent filmmaker of such films as The Driller Killer , Ms. 45 , King of New York , Bad Lieutenant and The Funeral .-Early life:Ferrara was born in the Bronx of Italian and Irish descent...
's 1993 film Body Snatchers
Body Snatchers (1993 film)
Body Snatchers is a 1993 American science fiction horror film and loosely based on the 1955 novel The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney. The film was directed by Abel Ferrara, starring Gabrielle Anwar, Billy Wirth, Terry Kinney, Meg Tilly, R...
as well as Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
and CSI
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
. He also took part in the television series American Gladiators
American Gladiators
American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own gladiators, in contests of strength and agility.The concept was created by...
competing during the series' first season in 1989 and advancing to the first-half semifinals before falling. He also starred in Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
as Matthew Tate. Since 1999, he has also been writing, directing, and producing independent films. His work on directing, writing, and producing his 2001 film MacArthur Park
MacArthur Park
MacArthur Park is a park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, named after General Douglas MacArthur and designated city of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #100.- Geography :...
has earned him several award nominations. In addition to his work in the film industry, Wirth is also a musician and artist.
Film and TV Credits
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Seven Minutes in Heaven Seven minutes in heaven Seven minutes in heaven is a teenager's party game first recorded as being played in Cincinnati in the early 1950s. Two people are selected to go into a closet or other dark enclosed space and do whatever they like for seven minutes. Sexual activities are allowed; however kissing and making out are... |
Zoo Knudsen | Film |
| 1985 | The Equalizer The Equalizer The Equalizer is an American television series that ran for four seasons, initially on CBS, between 1985 and 1989. It starred Edward Woodward as an aging New York vigilante with a mysterious past... |
Ralph | (1985 TV series) Episode: "Mama's Boy" |
| 1986 | The Ellen Burstyn Show The Ellen Burstyn Show The Ellen Burstyn Show is an American sitcom starring Ellen Burstyn. The series was produced by Touchstone Television and debuted on ABC on September 20, 1986 The series was canceled after 13 episodes.-Synopsis:... |
Johnny | (1986 TV series) Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1987 | Nothing in Common Nothing in Common Nothing in Common is a 1986 comedy-drama film, directed by Garry Marshall. It stars Tom Hanks and, in his last movie role, Jackie Gleason. The film proved to be Gleason's final film role, as he was suffering from colon cancer, liver cancer, and thrombosed hemorrhoids during production.The film,... |
Joey D. | (1987 TV series) |
| 1987 | The Lost Boys The Lost Boys The Lost Boys is a 1987 American teen comedy horror film directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Edward Herrmann, Alex Winter, Jamison Newlander, and Barnard Hughes.... |
Dwayne | Film |
| 1988 | War Party War Party (film) War Party is a 1988 film starring Billy Wirth and Kevin Dillon. The film, set in present day Montana, explores the tension and mistrust that can characterize interactions between Native American and White American cultures.... |
Sonny Crowkiller | Film |
| 1989 | American Gladiators American Gladiators American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own gladiators, in contests of strength and agility.The concept was created by... |
Contestant/Himself | (1989 TV series) (3 episodes) |
| 1989 | Wiseguy | Eddie Tempest | (1987 TV series) Episodes: "The Rip-Off Stick", "High Dollar Bop", "Hip Hop on the Gravy Train" |
| 1990 | Parker Kane | Jesse | TV movie |
| 1991 | Tales from the Crypt Tales from the Crypt (TV series) Tales from the Crypt, sometimes titled HBO's Tales from the Crypt, is an American horror anthology television series that ran from 1989 to 1996 on the premium cable channel HBO... |
Ted | (1989 TV series) Episode: "Split Second" |
| 1992 | Who Killed the Baby Jesus | Travis Adams | Film |
| 1992 | Red Shoe Diaries Red Shoe Diaries Red Shoe Diaries is an erotic drama series that aired on the American cable television network Showtime from 1992 to 1997 and distributed by Playboy Entertainment overseas... |
Thomas K. Butler, the Workman | TV movie |
| 1992 | Crow's Nest | Tommy Crosetti | Film |
| 1993 | Body Snatchers | Tim Young | Film |
| 1994 | The Fence | Terry Griff | Film |
| 1994 | Judicial Consent | Martin | Film |
| 1994 | Final Mission | Tom "Outlaw" Waters | Direct-to-video Direct-to-video Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television... |
| 1995 | Venus Rising Venus Rising Venus Rising was a 1995 film starring Jessica Alba, Henry Bean and Morgan Fairchild the film was released on November 30, 1995.... |
Nick | Film |
| 1995 | Boys on the Side Boys on the Side Boys on the Side is a 1995 comedy-drama film directed by Herbert Ross . It stars Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore and Mary-Louise Parker as three friends on a cross-country road trip... |
Nick | Film |
| 1995 | Children of the Dust Children of the Dust (TV miniseries) Children of the Dust is a TV miniseries that aired on February 26 and 28, 1995 on CBS, featuring an ensemble cast led by Academy Award winning actor Sidney Poitier... |
Corby/White Wolf | TV movie |
| 1996 | Starlight | Kieran | Film |
| 1997 | Last Lives | Malakai | Film |
| 1997 | Space Marines Space Marines (film) -Plot:Col. Fraser leads a group of space pirates to take over a ship and capture an important official.- Cast :* Billy Wirth - Zack Delano* Cady Huffman - Dar Mullins* John Pyper-Ferguson - Col. Fraser* Edward Albert - Capt. Gray* Meg Foster - Cmdr. Lasser... |
Zack Delano | Film |
| 1998 | Relax... It's Just Sex | Jared Bartoziak | Film |
| 1998 | Martial Law Martial law Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law... |
Kevin Seidel | (1998 TV series) Episode: "Extreme Measures" |
| 1998 | Charmed Charmed Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M... |
Matthew Tate | (1998 TV series) Episode: "The Witch Is Back" |
| 1999 | Kismet | Fantasy guy | Film (short) (also Director) |
| 1999 | Me and Will | Charlie | Film |
| 2000 | Sex and the City Sex and the City Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes... |
Dr. Mark Raskin | (1998 TV series) Episode: "Drama Queens" |
| 2001 | American Reunion American Reunion For the fourth installment in the American Pie series, see American Pie Presents: Band CampAmerican Reunion is an upcoming comedy film written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg... |
Brad | Film |
| 2002 | Looking for Jimmy | Billy | Film |
| 2004 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer... |
Aaron Westonson | (2000 TV series) Episode: "Eleven Angry Jurors" |
| 2004 | The Talent Given Us The Talent Given Us The Talent Given Us is a film by Andrew Wagner. Most of the cast in the movie is Wagner's own family.Roger Ebert praised "The Talent Given Us" as "one of the most original, daring, intriguing, and honest films of the year," while 2004 CineVegas juror Wendy Mitchell, writing about the film for... |
Billy | Film |
| 2004 | The Drone Virus | Stephen Roland | Film |
| 2005 | Summerland Summerland (TV series) Summerland is an American drama television series created by Stephen Tolkin and Lori Loughlin. It is centered on a clothing designer in her 30s, Ava Gregory , raising her niece and nephews after their parents die in a tragic accident... |
Garrett | (2004 TV series) Episode: "The Wisdom to Know the Difference" |
| 2006 | Seven Mummies | Travis | Film |
| 2006 | Running Out of Time in Hollywood | Billy | Film |
| 2009 | Powder Blue Powder Blue (film) Powder Blue is a 2009 drama film with an ensemble cast featuring several interconnected story arcs. It was written and directed by Timothy Linh Bui based on the 1997 novel Ponto de Partida by brazilian medium Chico Xavier, and features Patrick Swayze's last film appearance before his September 2009... |
David | Film |
| 2009 | Duress Duress In jurisprudence, duress or coercion refers to a situation whereby a person performs an act as a result of violence, threat or other pressure against the person. Black's Law Dictionary defines duress as "any unlawful threat or coercion used... to induce another to act [or not act] in a manner... |
The Detective | Film |
| 2011 | Cats Dancing on Jupiter Cats Dancing on Jupiter Cats Dancing on Jupiter is an is an upcoming feature thriller directed by Jordan Alan, co-written by Jeremy Milks and Jordan Alan, and stars Amanda Righetti, Anneliese van der Pol, Jonathan Bennett, and Erica Taylor... |
Oleg | Film |
| 2011 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Criminal Intent is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and produced by Dick Wolf and René Balcer, the series premiered on September 30, 2001, as the second spin-off of Wolf's successful crime drama... |
Billy Gray | (2001 TV series) Episode: "To the Boy in the Blue Knit Cap" |
| 2012 | Being Flynn | Travis | Film |
Awards
Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
:
| Year | Award | Category/Recipent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Grand Jury Prize | Dramatic for: MacArthur Park MacArthur Park MacArthur Park is a park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, named after General Douglas MacArthur and designated city of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #100.- Geography :... |
Nominated |
Taos Talking Picture Festival:
| Year | Award | Category/Recipent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Taos Land Grant Award | for: MacArthur Park | Nominated |