Greg Collins

Greg Collins traded his successful position as a linebacker (for the San Francisco 49s and the Buffalo Bills) for a supporting acting career, during which he has become a dependable on-screen presence. His large, imposing stature and naturally authoritative demeanor has often landed him roles as paramedics, guards, and police officers. He portrayed a diligent prison guard in several episodes of "Falcon Crest," about the power struggles within a wealthy southern California family, and appeared as a commanding SWAT team leader in the comic action film "Police Academy 6: City Under Seige." In the '90s, Collins found minor roles in the highly-rated sitcoms "Full House" and "Seinfeld"; in the latter, he portrayed a by-the-books police officer who pulls Jerry over for speeding but is swayed from writing him a pricey ticket by Jerry's persuasively attractive girlfriend. In 2000, Collins landed a recurring role as inquisitive Officer Arvington on the award-winning procedural drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." He next appeared as a belligerent coach in the Jim Carrey comedy "Bruce Almighty," in which God (Morgan Freeman) grants him heavenly powers, and played a dogged reporter in the sci-fi thriller "Necessary Evil." Beginning in 2009, Collins appeared as Gabe, a New Orleans drill instructor, on "True Blood," the HBO vampire drama.