Neal Jones

Neal Jones
Born
Neal Jones

January 2, 1960 (1960-01-02) (age 64)
Wichita, Kansas, United States
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActor
Years active1983–2010
SpouseJamie

Neal Jones (born January 2, 1960) is an American stage, film, and television actor. He is best known for his role as Billy Kostecki in Dirty Dancing.

Early life and education

Neal Jones was born on January 2, 1960, in Wichita, Kansas. Jones attended the Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Missouri.

Career

After attending the Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Jones moved to New York and began his professional career in Nicol Williamson's production of Macbeth at the Circle in the Square. This was followed by The Corn Is Green at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and the Tony Award-winning, Big River, at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.[1] He went on to appear in numerous New York stage productions, including Mike Leigh's Ecstasy and Tom Dulack's Diminished Capacity at The New Group,[2][3] Kenneth Branagh's Public Enemy at the Irish Arts Center,[4] and The Great Lakes Theater Festival’s world premiere of Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales in Cleveland, Ohio, directed by Clifford Williams. As a director he staged the world premiere of Celtic Tiger (Me Arse) by Don Creedon, and the New York premiere of Joseph O'Connor's Red Roses and Petrol, both at the Irish Arts Center in New York, where he has also served as Artistic Director.[5][6] He is a member of the Actors Studio.

His first film appearance was in Dirty Dancing, followed by more than 25 films, including Taylor Hackford's The Devil's Advocate (one of four films in which he appears with Al Pacino), In America and G.I. Jane. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2008 Malibu International Film Festival for his role in the independent film Mona.[7]

Jones also has appeared in several television series, including The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Law & Order, and Criminal Minds (as Karl Arnold aka The Fox).[8] He appeared in seven episodes of the FX series Rescue Me as Peter Reilly, the gay son of Chief Jerry Reilly. Jones's work in Generation Kill was singled out for praise by reviewers Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe and Alan Sepinwall of the Star-Ledger.[9][10]

Personal life

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1987 Dirty Dancing Billy Kostecki
1992 Glengarry Glen Ross Man in Donut Shop
1993 Romeo Is Bleeding Clerk
1996 Looking for Richard Messenger
Ratchet Sam Leary
1997 Silent Prey Kevin O'Neill a.k.a. Silent Predator
Sax and Violins
G.I. Jane Duty Officer
The Devil's Advocate Larry - Florida Reporter
1998 Day at the Beach Chuck Hanson
Come To Biker 1 short film
The Siege NYPD Representative
2000 Chinese Coffee Eteocles/Actor in play
2001 Queenie in Love Doctor
Way Off Broadway Mr. Scott
2002 Bridget Hawks Anwalt
Changing Lanes Newsroom Writer
In America Immigration Officer #1
2003 Beautiful Kid direct-to-video release
2004 Zombie Honeymoon Officer Carp
2005 Game 6 Yessiree Bob
2006 The House Is Burning Sheriff
2008 Mona John Nominated—2008 Malibu International Film Festival,
Best Supporting Actor
2009 Carbone's Birthday Pachenko short film
2010 Heterosexuals Barry

Television

Year Series Episode(s) Role
1989 Monsters "Taps" Gary Gregory
1991 Law & Order "Misconception" Ray
1995 Law & Order "Privileged" Bill D.
1998 Law & Order "Bad Girl" Mr. Flynn
1999 Sex and the City "The Awful Truth" Richard
2000 Third Watch "Demolition Derby" Brian
2001 The Sopranos "Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood" Agent Tancredi
2004 The Jury "The Honeymoon Suite" Kevin Sykes
Rescue Me "Kansas", "Orphans" Peter Reilly
2005 "Sensitivity", "Reunion", "Shame", "Believe", "Brains"
Criminal Minds "The Fox" Karl Arnold a.k.a. The Fox
2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent "Maltese Cross", "Weeping Willow" Chief of Detectives Bradshaw
2007 "Flipped"
Crossing Jordan "Seven Feet Under" Russell Berman
2008 Generation Kill Seven episodes—complete series Sgt. Maj. John Sixta
2009 Law & Order "Take-out" Alex Boone
Criminal Minds "Outfoxed" Karl Arnold a.k.a. The Fox

References

  1. ^ "Neal Jones". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  2. ^ John, Willis, ed. (1996). Theatre World. Vol. 52: 1995-1996. p. 111. ISBN 9781557833235. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  3. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (June 24, 1993). "Theater in Review" (Review of Diminished Capacity. May require subscription; accessible in Google cache). The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2010. {{cite news}}: External link in |format= (help)
  4. ^ Evans, Greg (November 9, 1994). "Public Enemy" (Theater review). Variety. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  5. ^ Hurley, Joseph (October 6, 1999). "Theater Review: 'Celtic Tiger' a wild ride that knocks you on yer..." The Irish Echo. Archived from the original (Review archived at seanpower.utvinternet.com) on September 9, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  6. ^ Hampton, Wilborn (November 8, 2000). "Theater Review: The Troubles Are All in the Family" (Review of Red Roses and Petrol). The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  7. ^ "Malibu International Film Festival 2008 Nominations". Malibu Film Festival. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  8. ^ "Neal Jones". Internet Movie Database (IMDb). IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  9. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (July 14, 2008). "'Generation Kill': Confused Yet?". Boston.com. The Boston Globe/The NY Times Co. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  10. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (July 14, 2008). "Generation Kill, "Get Some": Po-lice that moo-stash!!!!". NJ.com / The Star-Ledger. New Jersey On-Line LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2010.