Richard Jenkins Wiki: 5 Facts To Know About The American Actor

The American actor Richard Jenkins has a net worth of $8 million USD. He is a well-known face in the United States famous for his work in Stage, films and television. He started his acting career in 1974 in theatre. He later began to expand his roles from theatre to on-screen and he started appearing in television as well as films. His best-known work so far includes, 'The Cabin in the Woods', 'The Visitor' and the HBO drama series 'Six Feet Under'. His work in 'The Visitor' got him a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. He got a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Golden Globe Awards for his 2017 film, 'The Shape of Water'. This Golden Globe nomination was the first for him. Richard Jenkins was born in 1947 in Illinois. His parents were Mary Elizabeth, a homemaker and Dale, a dentist. During his early years, he attended the DeKalb High School in Illinois. While in high school, Jenkins worked as a linen truck driver under his boss, actor John C. Reilly's father. He went to get his drama degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. He was also a part of the Phi Gama Delta organization there. Later, he moved on to Rhode Island. He met his future wife, Sharon Friedrick there and the couple is still happily married. They got married in 1969 and have two children, son Andrew and daughter Sarah.

Jenkins began his acting career in theatre at the Trinity Repertory Company. He later worked steadily in films and television in the 1980s, mostly in supporting roles. His first major role came only after 2000 in which he played the deceased patriarch Nathaniel Fisher on HBO funeral drama series 'Six Feet Under'. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the film 'The Visitor' and he also won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in 'Olive Kitteridge'. He got a small role in 'Feasting with Panthers' in 1974, which was a television film about Oscar Wilde. He was given the option of joining the Screen Actors Guild and knowing that it was a very prestigious offer and that it is not easy to join, Jenkins immediately accepted. He continued being a member of Trinity's resident acting company even after getting into films and served as its artistic director from 1990 to 1994. After his debut in 'Feasting with Panthers' in 1974, he also worked in other films like 'Hannah', 'Her Sisters' in 1986, 'The Witches of Eastwick' in 1987, 'Sea of Love' in 1989, 'How to Make an American Quilt' in 1995, 'Flirting with Disaster' in 1996 and 'Snow Falling on Cedars' in 1999. Jenkins has also worked with the sibling directors, the Farrelly brothers in 'There's Something About Mary' in 1998, 'Outside Providence' in 1999, 'Me, Myself, and Irene' in 2000, 'Say It Isn't So' in 2001, 'Hall Pass' in 2011 and 'Three Stooges (remake)' in 2012. Jenkins has also appeared in a few Coen Brothers' movies: 'The Man Who Wasn't There' in 2001, 'Burn After Reading' in 2008 and 'Intolerable Cruelty' in 2003. He has also appeared in 'North Country' in 2005, 'The Kingdom' in 2007 and in 'Step Brothers' in 2008. His work in 'Step Brothers' got his critical acclaim. His fantasy/mystery film 'Let Me In' in 2010, was about a young bullied boy who befriends a young vampire who lives in secrecy. Jenkins played the role of the father of the boy. 'Let Me In' was directed by Matt Reeves. Initially, Jenkins was known primarily for supporting roles. He then played a lead role in 'The Visitor' and also got the nomination for Independent Spirit Award and also an Academy Award for Best Actor. Jenkins won the International Press Academy's Satellite Award for Best Actor. In the movie, 'Jack Reacher' in 2012, Richard Jenkins plays the role of Rodin. The film 'Jack Reacher' starred Tom Cruise in a lead role and was a major block buster hit making a gross profit of 218.3 million USD at the box office. Richard Jenkins has also authored a book called 'Social Identity' in 1996. 'Social Identity focusses on an individual's identity and collective. This book brings about a fresh perspective on the relationship between the society and individual. Released on 1st December, 2017, film 'The Shape of Water' had Richard Jenkins playing the role of a gay. On being asked to describe the moive 'The Shape of Water', he said, “I really enjoy listening to people trying to describe it, because it’s really hard. It’s a lot of things. It’s a heist movie. It’s a romance. It’s a bit of a thriller. It’s very funny in places.”

Since 1985, after making his debut in 1984, he has played supporting roles almost every year. He played lead roles in 'The Cabin in the Woods' and 'The Visitor' and was nominated for Oscars. He played the deceased patriarch Nathaniel Fisher on the HBO drama series 'Six Feet Under'. Jenkins portrayed a DEA agent in a single episode of Miami Vice and a mob boss in a later episode.