Jon Gries

Jon Gries – Life, Career, and Highlights

Learn about Jon Gries (born June 17, 1957) — American actor, writer, director. From Uncle Rico to Lost to The White Lotus, explore his biography, roles, and career trajectory.

Introduction

Jonathan Francis “Jon” Gries (born June 17, 1957) is an American actor, writer, and director, known for his character work across film and television. He has appeared in cult favorites like Napoleon Dynamite (as Uncle Rico), had notable television roles in Lost, The Pretender, and more recently The White Lotus.

Gries is a versatile performer who has taken on a variety of roles (comedic, dramatic, villainous) and also worked behind the camera on directing and producing projects.

Early Life & Family

• Jon Gries was born in Glendale, California on June 17, 1957.

• His father was Tom Gries, a writer, director, and producer; his mother was Mary Munday.

• He made his first film appearance at the age of 11: he played Horace in Will Penny (1968), a film written and directed by his father.

Career & Key Roles

Film Highlights

• Real Genius (1985) — as Lazlo Hollyfeld

• The Monster Squad (1987) — one of his early genre roles, delivering a memorable line (“Wolfman’s got nards!”)

• Fright Night Part 2 (1988) — he played a werewolf again

• Get Shorty (1995), Men in Black (1997) — supporting roles in major films

• Napoleon Dynamite (2004) — as Uncle Rico, arguably his most iconic film role. He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for this performance.

• Taken / Taken 2 / Taken 3 — he played Casey in the trilogy.

Television & Recurring Roles

• Martin (1992–1994) as Shawn McDermott

• The Pretender (1996–2000) as Broots (a central supporting character)

• Lost (2007–2010) — he played Roger Linus, the father of Benjamin Linus, appearing in multiple episodes.

• Dream Corp LLC (2016–2020) — one of his more recent television recurring roles

• The White Lotus (2021–present) — as Greg Hunt

Behind the Camera & Other Work

• In addition to acting, Gries has directed and produced.

• He has directed music videos (for example, credits show up in his filmography)

• He also has credits under alternate names (Jon Francis, Jonathan Gries)

Style, Strengths & Persona

• Gries is known for character acting — he often plays quirky, offbeat, or supporting roles that leave a strong impression.

• He can shift between comedy, horror, drama, and genre fare.

• In Napoleon Dynamite, his portrayal of Uncle Rico showed both comedic timing and a kind of tragic obsession, making the character memorable and memorable beyond just comic relief.

• Over time, he’s accumulated a wide and deep resume, showing adaptability across decades.

Recent Interesting Notes

• In 2025, a news item reported that Gries was part owner of a Northwoods League baseball team set to begin play in Richmond, Indiana, in May 2026.

• Also, he’s taken part in fashion and promotional work: e.g. in 2025 he was announced as the face of a campaign by the French label Jacquemus—that drew attention because of its bold and playful visuals.