Jon Gries

"Wolfman's got nards!" This line from the campy horror flick "The Monster Squad" (1987), directed at Jon Gries' vicious but vulnerable werewolf, neatly sums up the veteran character actor's career: tough characters with soft hearts. His father, director Tom Gries, cast him in his movies such as "Will Penny" (1968) and the made-for-TV "Helter Skelter" (CBS, 1976), but the young actor quickly struck out on his own, appearing in cult '80s movies such as "Real Genius" (1985). By the 1990s he'd moved over to TV, landing memorable roles on "Beverly Hills, 90210" (Fox, 1990-2000); "Martin" (Fox, 1992-97); and "The Pretender" (NBC, 1996-2000). After appearing in "Get Shorty" (1995), Gries landed a breakout role as Uncle Rico in the surprise hit "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004) and joined the sprawling cast of "Lost" (ABC, 2004-2010). A self-professed late bloomer, Gries directed his first film, "Pickin & Grinnin," in 2010, before landing his first voice acting role on the animated "Napoleon Dynamite" (Fox, 2012). Though he may not have followed in his father's Emmy-winning footsteps, Jon Gries has made some distinct impressions of his own.