Jon Gries Bio
Jonathan Gries, professionally known as Jon Gries, is an American actor and music video director whose career spans more than five decades across film, television, and voice acting. Born on June 17, 1957, in Glendale, California, he is best known for portraying Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite (2004), the recurring role of Roger Linus on the ABC drama Lost (2007–2010), and Greg Hunt on HBO’s The White Lotus (2021–present). Beyond these signature performances, Gries has built a reputation as a dependable character actor through long-running roles and memorable guest appearances.
Also credited under the name Jon Francis, Gries has appeared in dozens of productions ranging from cult classics to mainstream blockbusters. His credits include Real Genius (1985), The Monster Squad (1987), Get Shorty (1995), the Taken trilogy (2008–2014), and Dream Corp LLC (2016–2020). He also lent his voice to the video game Hitman: Absolution, demonstrating his range across visual media.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Gries was born on June 17, 1957, in Glendale, California. He grew up in a family deeply connected to the entertainment industry, as the son of writer, director, and producer Tom Gries. This familial link to filmmaking gave him an early and intimate view of how movies were made, shaping his eventual path toward acting.
Because of his father’s career, Gries was exposed to film sets and storytelling from a young age. The household environment, combined with his father’s hands-on work in Hollywood, laid the foundation for his interest in performing. These formative years in Glendale provided a stable backdrop for the development of his craft before he entered the professional world.
Path to Acting
Gries’s entry into acting came remarkably early. At the age of 11, he landed his first film role, playing the character Boy Horace in the Charlton Heston Western Will Penny. The film was written and directed by his father, Tom Gries, marking a notable family collaboration on one of Hollywood’s classic frontier stories.
Following this debut, Gries continued to pursue acting opportunities, gradually building a resume across both film and television. His early experiences on the set of Will Penny gave him valuable on-camera training, and as he matured, he transitioned into more substantial roles. The combination of family mentorship and personal persistence helped him move from child performer to working adult actor.
Jon Gries Career
Early Career (1968–1984)
Gries began his professional acting career in 1968, working steadily in Hollywood throughout his teenage years. His early filmography includes the role of Boy Horace in Will Penny, which served as his introduction to audiences and the industry alike. This period laid the groundwork for the diverse range of characters he would later portray.
Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, Gries continued to take on small parts, refining his skills and gaining experience on film sets. By the time he reached adulthood, he had already accumulated years of professional exposure, positioning him for more prominent work in the 1980s.
Breakthrough (1985–2000)
Gries achieved a significant breakthrough with his role as Lazlo Hollyfeld in the science fiction comedy Real Genius (1985). The performance became one of his most recognized cult-favorite characters. That same era saw him take on the role of a werewolf in The Monster Squad (1987), further cementing his place in genre cinema.
During the 1990s, Gries expanded into television with recurring roles that broadened his audience. He played Shawn McDermott on the Fox sitcom Martin (1992–1994), Ronnie Wingate in the crime comedy Get Shorty (1995), and Broots on the NBC series The Pretender (1996–2000). He also appeared in Fright Night Part 2 and made guest appearances on Quantum Leap, Beverly Hills 90210, and The X-Files, where he featured in the episode Sleepless. He also took on a guest role as a terrorist in season two of the Fox drama 24.
Continued Success (2001–2020)
In 2004, Gries delivered what would become his most iconic performance as Uncle Rico in the independent comedy Napoleon Dynamite. The role earned him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and turned Uncle Rico into a widely quoted pop culture figure.
From 2007 to 2010, Gries portrayed Roger Linus, the troubled father of Ben Linus, in a recurring role on the ABC drama Lost. He also played Casey in the Taken trilogy (2008–2014), starring alongside Liam Neeson in the action franchise. During this period, he appeared in the historical Western September Dawn as the executed murderer John D. Lee, a performance that drew critical praise even from reviewers who disliked the film. He also appeared in supernatural-themed series work, including a role in the CW’s Supernatural across multiple episodes from 2010 to 2012, and joined the cast of Dream Corp LLC (2016–2020).
Recent Work (2021–present)
Since 2021, Gries has portrayed Greg Hunt on HBO’s acclaimed series The White Lotus, a role that has introduced him to a new generation of viewers. His work on the show has been part of its award-winning ensemble cast.
In addition to his acting, Gries has continued directing music videos, building on the dual career he has maintained throughout his time in the industry. He is also a part-owner of the Richmond Flying Mummies, a Northwoods League baseball team that began play in May 2026.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among Gries’s most defining works are his roles as Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Roger Linus in Lost (2007–2010), and Greg Hunt in The White Lotus (2021–present). He has also been widely recognized for Lazlo Hollyfeld in Real Genius (1985) and his work in The Monster Squad (1987). His Independent Spirit Award nomination for Napoleon Dynamite remains one of the most prominent formal recognitions of his career.
Jon Gries Award Nominations
Jonathan Gries received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male for his performance as Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite (2004). This nomination remains the most widely documented formal recognition of his work across film and television. Other nominations or industry recognitions tied directly to verified sources are not currently available in his record.
Jon Gries Family
Jonathan Gries is the son of writer, director, and producer Tom Gries. His father’s career in Hollywood provided the young Gries with direct exposure to film production and ultimately led to his first role in the 1968 Western Will Penny, which Tom Gries wrote and directed. This family connection remains a defining part of his early life story.
Personal Life
Outside of his acting and directing work, Jonathan Gries maintains an interest in sports and is a part-owner of the Richmond Flying Mummies, a Northwoods League baseball team. He also works as a music video director, expanding his creative footprint beyond traditional acting roles.