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{{Short description|American actor}}
{{Short description|American actor (born 1966)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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| caption = Grunberg at the 2018 Phoenix Comic Fest
| caption = Grunberg at the 2018 Phoenix Comic Fest
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|07|11}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|07|11}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]]
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| birth_name = Gregory Phillip Grunberg
| birth_name = Gregory Phillip Grunberg
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1990–present
| years_active = 1990–present
| spouse = {{married|Elizabeth Dawn Wershow|1992}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Elizabeth Dawn Wershow|1992}}
| children = 3
| children = 3
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


'''Gregory Phillip Grunberg''' (born July 11, 1966) is an American film and television actor best known for starring as [[Eric Weiss]] in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] series ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'', [[Matt Parkman]] in the [[NBC]] series ''[[Heroes (U.S. TV series)|Heroes]]'', [[List of Star Wars characters# Temmin "Snap" Wexley|Temmin "Snap" Wexley]] in ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'', and Phil in ''[[A Star Is Born (2018 film)|A Star Is Born]]''. He has often appeared in works produced and directed by his childhood friend [[J. J. Abrams]], such as ''[[Felicity (TV series)|Felicity]]'' as Sean Blumberg. He was a recurring cast member in the first two seasons of the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] American television drama series ''[[Masters of Sex]]''.
'''Gregory Phillip Grunberg''' (born July 11, 1966) is an American film and television actor known for starring as [[Eric Weiss]] in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] series ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'', [[Matt Parkman]] in the [[NBC]] series ''[[Heroes (U.S. TV series)|Heroes]]'', [[List of Star Wars characters#Temmin "Snap" Wexley|Temmin "Snap" Wexley]] in ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'', and Phil in ''[[A Star Is Born (2018 film)|A Star Is Born]]''. He has often appeared in works produced and directed by his childhood friend [[J. J. Abrams]], such as ''[[Felicity (TV series)|Felicity]]'' as Sean Blumberg. He was a recurring cast member in the first two seasons of the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] American television drama series ''[[Masters of Sex]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Grunberg was born in [[Los Angeles, California]], the son of Sandy (''née'' Klein) and Gerry Grunberg<ref>[https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800346433/bio Greg Grunberg Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522145051/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800346433/bio|date=May 22, 2011}}, Yahoo!. Retrieved March 2, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.nndb.com/people/882/000160402 Greg Grunberg profile], nndb.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.</ref> and had a [[Jews|Jewish]] upbringing.<ref name=JewishFederations/> He attended [[University High School (Los Angeles)|University High School]] in West Los Angeles, class of 1984.<ref>[https://www.uhef.org/product/1984-yearbook/ University High School 1984 yearbook], Uni Hi Education Foundation. Retrieved November 7, 2021.</ref>
Grunberg was born in [[Los Angeles, California]], the son of Sandy (''née'' Klein) and Gerry Grunberg<ref>[https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800346433/bio Greg Grunberg Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522145051/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800346433/bio|date=May 22, 2011}}, Yahoo!. Retrieved March 2, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.nndb.com/people/882/000160402 Greg Grunberg profile], nndb.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.</ref> and had a [[Jews|Jewish]] upbringing.<ref name=JewishFederations/> He attended [[University High School (Los Angeles)|University High School]] in West Los Angeles, class of 1984.<ref>[https://www.uhef.org/product/1984-yearbook/ University High School 1984 yearbook], Uni Hi Education Foundation. Retrieved November 7, 2021.</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Grunberg got his first credited role in Matt Stone and Trey Parker's 1998 film ''[[BASEketball]]''. From 1998 to 2002, he appeared as Sean Blumberg on ''[[Felicity (TV series)|Felicity]]''. He appeared from 2001 to 2006 as Eric Weiss on ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''. He left that series as a regular to star on the NBC sitcom, ''Grand Union''. Since 2003, Abrams had planned a series called ''The Catch'' about a [[bounty hunter]], starring Grunberg in the lead role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445109/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_61|title=The Catch (TV Movie 2005)|date=January 11, 2016|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> Suggested for both the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons, the series was never produced; however, a pilot episode was shot.
Grunberg got his first credited role in [[Matt Stone]] and [[Trey Parker]]'s 1998 film ''[[BASEketball]]''. From 1998 to 2002, he appeared as Sean Blumberg on ''[[Felicity (TV series)|Felicity]]''. He appeared from 2001 to 2006 as Eric Weiss on ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''. He left that series as a regular to star on the NBC sitcom, ''Grand Union''. Since 2003, Abrams had planned a series called ''The Catch'' about a [[bounty hunter]], starring Grunberg in the lead role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445109/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_61|title=The Catch (TV Movie 2005)|date=January 11, 2016|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> Suggested for both the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons, the series was never produced; however, a pilot episode was shot.


Abrams also cast Grunberg in a brief role as the pilot for the 2004 series ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''. Grunberg returned for the first-season finale, but his scenes were cut for time and were instead included on the season 1 DVD set. He also appeared in a small role in ''[[Mission: Impossible III]]'', which Abrams directed.
Abrams also cast Grunberg in a brief role as a pilot for the 2004 series ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''. Grunberg returned for the first-season finale, but his scenes were cut for time and were instead included on the season 1 DVD set. He also appeared in a small role in ''[[Mission: Impossible III]]'', which Abrams directed.


Grunberg had a major role in the NBC TV show ''[[Heroes (American TV series)|Heroes]]''. He played police officer Matt Parkman, who has the power of telepathy. Grunberg guest-starred on ''[[House (TV series)|House]]''. He was offered a part in ''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]'', which Abrams directed, but was unable to take it because of a conflict with another project he was working on (although he provided the voice for Kirk's stepfather in the opening sequence).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trekmovie.com/2008/01/25/abrams-trek-team-chat-starts-here-1-pm-pacific|title=Abrams + Trek Team Chat Starts HERE 1 PM (Pacific)|access-date=January 25, 2008|publisher=trekmovie.com}}</ref> Grunberg voices FBI agent Ethan Thomas in the video game ''[[Condemned: Criminal Origins]]''.
Grunberg had a major role in the NBC TV show ''[[Heroes (American TV series)|Heroes]]'' as telepathic police officer Matt Parkman. He was offered a part in ''[[Star Trek (2009 film)|Star Trek]]'', which Abrams directed, but was unable to do so because of scheduling conflicts. In the final film, he voices [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]]'s stepfather in the opening sequence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trekmovie.com/2008/01/25/abrams-trek-team-chat-starts-here-1-pm-pacific|title=Abrams + Trek Team Chat Starts HERE 1 PM (Pacific)|access-date=January 25, 2008|publisher=trekmovie.com}}</ref> Grunberg voices FBI agent Ethan Thomas in the video game ''[[Condemned: Criminal Origins]]''.


Outside of acting, Grunberg is known as one of the creators of the Yowza!! Android and iPhone application, a GPS-aware coupon-referring program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shortformblog.com/tech/greg-grunberg-heroes-star-yowza-iphone-app-maven|title=Greg Grunberg: ''Heroes'' star, Yowza iPhone app maven|access-date=March 2, 2016|publisher=shortformblog.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723140048/http://shortformblog.com/tech/greg-grunberg-heroes-star-yowza-iphone-app-maven/|archive-date=July 23, 2012}}</ref>
Outside of acting, Grunberg is known as one of the creators of the Yowza!! Android and iPhone application, a GPS-aware coupon-referring program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shortformblog.com/tech/greg-grunberg-heroes-star-yowza-iphone-app-maven|title=Greg Grunberg: ''Heroes'' star, Yowza iPhone app maven|access-date=March 2, 2016|publisher=shortformblog.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723140048/http://shortformblog.com/tech/greg-grunberg-heroes-star-yowza-iphone-app-maven/|archive-date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> The company was acquired in 2014 by Spindle, a mobile commerce solutions firm.<ref>{{cite news |title=Spindle Acquires Mobile-Coupon Service Yowza |url=https://pymnts.com/news/2014/spindle-acquires-mobile-coupon-service-yowza/ |access-date=19 April 2024 |work=PYMNTS.com |date=6 January 2014}}</ref>


He also voices [[Hank Pym|Ant-Man]] in the [[animated series]] ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]''. Grunberg was featured on the May/June 2009 cover of ''[[Making Music (magazine)|Making Music]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.makingmusicmag.com/features/09may03.html|title=The Beat Man|work=Making Music|access-date=February 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218081847/http://makingmusicmag.com/features/09may03.html|archive-date=December 18, 2010}}</ref> On May 17, 2010, Grunberg announced that he would be joining the cast of ''[[Love Bites (TV series)|Love Bites]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/greggrunberg/status/14180042165|title=Greg Grunberg on Twitter|via=Twitter|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2020}}
He also voices [[Hank Pym|Ant-Man]] in the [[animated series]] ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]''. Grunberg was featured on the May/June 2009 cover of ''[[Making Music (magazine)|Making Music]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.makingmusicmag.com/features/09may03.html|title=The Beat Man|work=Making Music|access-date=February 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218081847/http://makingmusicmag.com/features/09may03.html|archive-date=December 18, 2010}}</ref> On May 17, 2010, Grunberg announced that he would be joining the cast of ''[[Love Bites (TV series)|Love Bites]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/greggrunberg/status/14180042165|title=Greg Grunberg on Twitter|via=Twitter|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2020}}
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He took up a minor role in the 2011 neo-noir detective videogame ''[[L.A. Noire]]'', in which he provided both voice and facial motion capture as murder suspect Hugo Moller. On November 7, 2011, he appeared as a guest star on an episode of the TV series ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]'' with former ''Heroes'' co-star [[Masi Oka]]. He also appeared as a special guest star on the March 14, 2012, episode of the TV series ''Psych''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Greg Grunberg|url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0342399/filmotype/actor?ref_=m_nmfm_1|publisher=IMDb|access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref>
He took up a minor role in the 2011 neo-noir detective videogame ''[[L.A. Noire]]'', in which he provided both voice and facial motion capture as murder suspect Hugo Moller. On November 7, 2011, he appeared as a guest star on an episode of the TV series ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]'' with former ''Heroes'' co-star [[Masi Oka]]. He also appeared as a special guest star on the March 14, 2012, episode of the TV series ''Psych''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Greg Grunberg|url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0342399/filmotype/actor?ref_=m_nmfm_1|publisher=IMDb|access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref>


In 2013, Grunberg appeared in one episode during the first season of the TV series ''[[Masters of Sex]]'' as the character Gene Moretti, a rich business man. The part was expanded in 2014 to 4 episodes during the [[Masters of Sex (season 2)|second season]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Eyerly|first1=Alan|title=Masters of Sex recap|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-masters-of-sex-recap-racial-tension-flares-at-bills-new-hospital-20140810-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref>
In 2013, Grunberg appeared in one episode during the first season of the TV series ''[[Masters of Sex]]'' as the character Gene Moretti, a rich business man. The part was expanded in 2014 to 4 episodes during the [[Masters of Sex season 2|second season]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Eyerly|first1=Alan|title=Masters of Sex recap|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-masters-of-sex-recap-racial-tension-flares-at-bills-new-hospital-20140810-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=August 11, 2014 |access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref>


In February 2016, it was revealed that Grunberg will co-host a late night talk show with [[Kevin Smith]] titled ''[[Geeking Out (TV series)|Geeking Out]]'' on [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=AMC ORDERS NEW LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOW, "GEEKING OUT" (Working Title)|url=http://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/amc-orders-new-late-night-talk-show-geeking-out-working-title|access-date=February 12, 2016|publisher=[[AMC Networks]]|date=February 11, 2016}}</ref>
In February 2016, Grunberg co-hosted a late night talk show with [[Kevin Smith]] titled ''[[Geeking Out (TV series)|Geeking Out]]'' on [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=AMC ORDERS NEW LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOW, "GEEKING OUT" (Working Title)|url=http://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/amc-orders-new-late-night-talk-show-geeking-out-working-title|access-date=February 12, 2016|publisher=[[AMC Networks]]|date=February 11, 2016}}</ref>


Since 2019, Grunberg has been a recurring guest star on the syndicated game show ''[[25 Words or Less (game show)|25 Words or Less]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fishman|first1=Scott|title=Meredith Vieira on Hosting '25 Words or Less' From Home, & the Game ShowBoom|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/957183/25-words-or-less-meredith-viera-taping-from-home-game-show/|website=tvinsider.com|publisher=NTVB Media, Inc.|access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref>
Since 2019, Grunberg has been a recurring guest star on the syndicated game show ''[[25 Words or Less (game show)|25 Words or Less]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fishman|first1=Scott|title=Meredith Vieira on Hosting '25 Words or Less' From Home, & the Game ShowBoom|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/957183/25-words-or-less-meredith-viera-taping-from-home-game-show/|website=tvinsider.com|date=November 29, 2020 |publisher=NTVB Media, Inc.|access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref>


In 2021, he appeared as a guest star on an episode of ''[[9-1-1: Lone Star]]'' in the role of a father fighting for the life of his son, who suffers from [[epilepsy]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Hamri|first=Sanaa|title=One Day|date=2021-05-17|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14558320/?ref_=ttep_ep13|series=9-1-1: Lone Star|access-date=2021-12-24}}</ref> This echoes Grunberg's real life activism due to his own son's epilepsy.
In 2021, he appeared as a guest star on an episode of ''[[9-1-1: Lone Star]]'' in the role of a father fighting for the life of his son, who suffers from [[epilepsy]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Hamri|first=Sanaa|title=One Day|date=2021-05-17|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14558320/?ref_=ttep_ep13|series=9-1-1: Lone Star|access-date=2021-12-24}}</ref> This echoes Grunberg's real life activism due to his own son's epilepsy.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
In 1992, Grunberg married Elizabeth Dawn Wershow. They have three children: Jake, Ben, and Sam.<ref>[http://www.parentdish.com/2009/04/01/greg-grunberg-is-a-hero-for-epilepsy/ Parent Dish: "Greg Grunberg is a Hero for Epilepsy" by Susan Wagner] April 1, 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.premiere.fr/Star/Greg-Grunberg-99857 Premier Magazine: "La biographie de Greg Grunberg"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607023636/http://www.premiere.fr/Star/Greg-Grunberg-99857 |date=June 7, 2013 }} retrieved November 2, 2013 |''(in French'')</ref> Jake has [[epilepsy]], which has inspired Grunberg to take an active role in raising awareness of the neurological disorder and raising funds for research.<ref name=People90Percentbetter>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20269219,00.html People: "Greg Grunberg's Son 90 Percent Better after Brain Surgery" By Lisa Ingrassia] April 1, 2009</ref>
In 1992, Grunberg married Elizabeth Dawn Wershow. They have three children,<ref>[http://www.parentdish.com/2009/04/01/greg-grunberg-is-a-hero-for-epilepsy/ Parent Dish: "Greg Grunberg is a Hero for Epilepsy" by Susan Wagner] April 1, 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.premiere.fr/Star/Greg-Grunberg-99857 Premier Magazine: "La biographie de Greg Grunberg"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607023636/http://www.premiere.fr/Star/Greg-Grunberg-99857 |date=June 7, 2013 }} retrieved November 2, 2013 |''(in French'')</ref> one of whom has [[epilepsy]], which has inspired Grunberg to take an active role in raising awareness of the neurological disorder and raising funds for research.<ref name=People90Percentbetter>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20269219,00.html People: "Greg Grunberg's Son 90 Percent Better after Brain Surgery" By Lisa Ingrassia] April 1, 2009</ref>


He often organizes charity efforts to raise funds for the Pediatric Epilepsy Project in Los Angeles.<ref name=LookToTheStars>[http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/greg-grunberg Look To the Stars: "Greg Grunberg"] retrieved November 2, 2013</ref> In the past, this has included events such as an auction of guitars handpainted by celebrities such as [[Donald Trump]], [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] and Grunberg's ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' co-stars [[Jennifer Garner]] and [[Michael Vartan]]<ref name=LookToTheStars/> as well as concerts by the [[Band From TV]] that includes Grunberg and [[Hugh Laurie]] and an online auction of cartoons drawn of his ''Heroes'' costars.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}
He often organizes charity efforts to raise funds for the Pediatric Epilepsy Project in Los Angeles.<ref name=LookToTheStars>[http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/greg-grunberg Look To the Stars: "Greg Grunberg"] retrieved November 2, 2013</ref> In the past, this has included events such as an auction of guitars handpainted by celebrities such as [[Donald Trump]], [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] and Grunberg's ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' co-stars [[Jennifer Garner]] and [[Michael Vartan]].<ref name=LookToTheStars/>


In March 2007, Grunberg served as the chair of the first National Walk for Epilepsy, presented by the Epilepsy Foundation.<ref>[http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/resources/newsroom/pressreleases/Hollywood-Movie-Premiere-Highlights-National-Epilepsy-Awareness-Month.cfm Epilepsy Foundation: "Hollywood Movie Premiere Highlights National Epilepsy Awareness Month"]. Retrieved November 2, 2013.</ref>
In March 2007, Grunberg served as the chair of the first National Walk for Epilepsy, presented by the Epilepsy Foundation.<ref>[http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/resources/newsroom/pressreleases/Hollywood-Movie-Premiere-Highlights-National-Epilepsy-Awareness-Month.cfm Epilepsy Foundation: "Hollywood Movie Premiere Highlights National Epilepsy Awareness Month"]. Retrieved November 2, 2013.</ref>


In 2009, Grunberg launched Talk About It, a website dedicated to epilepsy education and awareness, featuring many of his co-stars and celebrity friends,<ref name=People90Percentbetter /> including Garner, Larter, Pasdar, Ramamurthy, Ventimiglia, and Panettiere, as well as [[Zachary Quinto]], [[Chris Pine]], [[Drew Pinsky|Dr. Drew Pinsky]], [[Ron Rifkin]], and [[John Mayer]]. The site features Grunberg interviewing top epilepsy experts on the need to talk more about epilepsy, and includes a section for people all over the world to talk about it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Talk About It! |url=http://talkaboutit.org/ |website=talkaboutit.org |access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref>
In 2009, Grunberg launched Talk About It, a website dedicated to epilepsy education and awareness, featuring many of his co-stars and celebrity friends,<ref name=People90Percentbetter /> including Garner, Larter, Pasdar, Ramamurthy, Ventimiglia, and Panettiere, as well as [[Zachary Quinto]], [[Chris Pine]], [[Drew Pinsky]], [[Ron Rifkin]], and [[John Mayer]]. The site features Grunberg interviewing top epilepsy experts on the need to talk more about epilepsy, and includes a section for people all over the world to talk about it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Talk About It! |url=http://talkaboutit.org/ |website=talkaboutit.org |access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref>


Grunberg was a participant in the first-ever national television advertising campaign supporting donations to Jewish federations. The program featured "film and television personalities celebrating their Jewish heritage and promoting charitable giving to the Jewish community" and included [[Marlee Matlin]], [[Joshua Malina]], [[Kevin Weisman]], and [[Jonathan Silverman]].
Grunberg was a participant in the first-ever national television advertising campaign supporting donations to Jewish federations. The program featured "film and television personalities celebrating their Jewish heritage and promoting charitable giving to the Jewish community" and included [[Marlee Matlin]], [[Joshua Malina]], [[Kevin Weisman]], and [[Jonathan Silverman]].<ref name=JewishFederations>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=69595 |publisher=Jewish Federations of North America |title=Film and Television Celebrities Promote Jewish Federations in First-Ever National Television Advertising Campaign – Jewish Stars Promote Federations' Initiatives and Mission |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103142605/http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=69595 |date=August 2, 2004|archive-date=November 3, 2013 }}</ref> He made a tongue-in-cheek promotional video for Temple Judea Religious School lambasting boring Hebrew Religious schools.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xo-7o4aS3c You Tube Temple Judea: "Save the Children – Stop Hebrew School Suffering"]. Retrieved November 2, 2013</ref>
<ref name=JewishFederations>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=69595 |publisher=Jewish Federations of North America |title=Film and Television Celebrities Promote Jewish Federations in First-Ever National Television Advertising Campaign – Jewish Stars Promote Federations' Initiatives and Mission |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103142605/http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=69595 |date=August 2, 2004|archive-date=November 3, 2013 }}</ref> He made a tongue-in-cheek promotional video for Temple Judea Religious School lambasting boring Hebrew Religious schools.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xo-7o4aS3c You Tube Temple Judea: "Save the Children – Stop Hebrew School Suffering"]. Retrieved November 2, 2013</ref>

Grunberg is one of the hosts of Social Tron Live, a [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] channel, in a segment called Greg Grunberg live where he plays video games with fellow celebrities, comedians, and popular Twitch streamers.


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
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!Year!!Title!!Role!!Notes
!Year!!Title!!Role!!Notes
|-
|-
|1993||''[[Witchcraft V: Dance with the Devil]]''||Bartender||rowspan=3|Uncredited
|1993||''[[Witchcraft V: Dance with the Devil]]''||Bartender||
|-
|-
|1996||''[[The Pallbearer]]''||Bobby
|1996||''[[The Pallbearer]]''||Bobby||rowspan=2|Uncredited
|-
|-
|1997||''[[Picture Perfect (1997 film)|Picture Perfect]]''||Date&nbsp;#1
|1997||''[[Picture Perfect (1997 film)|Picture Perfect]]''||Date&nbsp;#1
Line 84: Line 81:
|''[[Mission: Impossible III]]''||Kevin||
|''[[Mission: Impossible III]]''||Kevin||
|-
|-
|2009||''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]''||[[James T. Kirk]]'s stepfather / Uncle Frank||[[Brad William Henke]] originally played Uncle Frank until his scenes were cut for time and Grunberg then redubbed his lines via voice only
|2009||''[[Star Trek (2009 film)|Star Trek]]''||[[James T. Kirk]]'s stepfather / Uncle Frank||[[Brad William Henke]] originally played Uncle Frank until his scenes were cut for time and Grunberg then redubbed his lines via voice only
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2010||''[[Kill Speed]]''||Chief of Police||
|rowspan=2|2010||''[[Kill Speed]]''||Chief of Police||
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|2016||''[[Star Trek Beyond]]''||Commander Finnegan||
|2016||''[[Star Trek Beyond]]''||Commander Finnegan||
|-
|-
|rowspan=3|2018||''[[The Cloverfield Paradox]]''||Joe||Voice<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Greg Grunberg (visual voices guide) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Greg-Grunberg/ |access-date=February 5, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
|rowspan=3|2018||''[[The Cloverfield Paradox]]''||Joe||Voice
|-
|-
|''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'' || Steel Maxim / [[Doctor Fate]]||Voice
|''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'' || Steel Maxim||Voice<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|''[[A Star Is Born (2018 film)|A Star Is Born]]''||Phil (Jackson's Driver)||
|''[[A Star Is Born (2018 film)|A Star Is Born]]''||Phil (Jackson's Driver)||
|-
|-
|2019||''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]''||Temmin "Snap" Wexley||
|2019||''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]''||Temmin "Snap" Wexley||
|-
|-
|2020||''Max Reload and the Nether Blasters''||Eugene Wylder / MMO Wizard||
|2020||''[[Max Reload and the Nether Blasters]]''||Eugene Wylder / MMO Wizard||
|-
|-
|2022||''[[The Fabelmans]]''||[[Bernard Fein|Bernie Fein]]||
|2022||''[[The Fabelmans]]''||[[Bernard Fein|Bernie Fein]]||
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|1994||''[[Baywatch]]''||Nightclub Host||
|1994||''[[Baywatch]]''||Nightclub Host||
|-
|-
|1998||''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]'' ||Brad Carver||Episode: "[[The Last Resort (Diagnosis: Murder)|The Last Resort]]"
|1998||''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]''||Brad Carver||Episode: "[[The Last Resort (Diagnosis: Murder)|The Last Resort]]"
|-
|-
|1998–2002||''[[Felicity (TV series)|Felicity]]''||Sean Blumberg||Recurring (season 1) <br> Main (season 2–4): 66 episodes
|1998–2002||''[[Felicity (TV series)|Felicity]]''||Sean Blumberg||Recurring (season 1) <br> Main (season 2–4): 66 episodes
⚫
|-
|1999||''[[Rescue 77]]''||Paramedic #2||Episode: "[[Pilot (Rescue 77)|Pilot]]"
|-
|-
|2001||''[[NYPD Blue]]''||Joey Schulman||Season 8, episodes 18,19,20
|2001||''[[NYPD Blue]]''||Joey Schulman||Season 8, episodes 18,19,20
Line 144: Line 143:
|2008–2009||''[[Head Case]]''||Himself||
|2008–2009||''[[Head Case]]''||Himself||
|-
|-
|2009||''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]''||[[Hank Pym|Ant-Man]]||Voice, recurring role
|rowspan=2|2009||''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]''||[[Hank Pym|Ant-Man]]||Voice, recurring role
|-
|''[[Robot Chicken]]''||[[Odin (Marvel Comics)|Odin]]||Voice, episode: "Dear Consumer"
|-
|-
|2010||''[[Bond of Silence]]''||Detective Paul Jackson||TV film
|2010||''[[Bond of Silence]]''||Detective Paul Jackson||TV film
Line 156: Line 157:
|rowspan=2|2012||''[[Psych]]''||Jay||Guest (season 6), episode 12
|rowspan=2|2012||''[[Psych]]''||Jay||Guest (season 6), episode 12
|-
|-
|''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]''||[[Uncle Ben|Ben Parker]] || Voice, episode: "Strange"<ref>{{cite episode|title=Strange|series=Ultimate Spider-Man|network=Disney XD|season=1|number=13|airdate=July 8, 2012}}</ref>
|''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]''||[[Uncle Ben|Ben Parker]] || Voice, episode: "Strange"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|2012–2013||''[[The Client List (TV series)|The Client List]]''||Dale||Recurring
|2012–2013||''[[The Client List (TV series)|The Client List]]''||Dale||Recurring
Line 179: Line 180:
|-
|-
|2016–2017||''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]''|| Tom Patterson || 2 episodes
|2016–2017||''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]''|| Tom Patterson || 2 episodes
|-
|2017
|''[[Pawn Stars]]''
|Himself
|Episode: "La La Land"
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2018||''[[Paterno (film)|Paterno]]''|| Scott Paterno ||TV film
|rowspan=2|2018||''[[Paterno (film)|Paterno]]''|| Scott Paterno ||TV film
|-
|-
|''[[Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure]]''||William||Voice, episode: "Vigor the Visionary"
|''[[Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure]]''||William||Voice, episode: "Vigor the Visionary"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|2019||''[[Castle Rock (TV series)|Castle Rock]]''||Boucher||
|-
|-
|2020||''[[The Boys (TV series)|The Boys]]''||Himself||1 episode
|2020||''[[The Boys (TV series)|The Boys]]''||Himself||1 episode
Line 194: Line 202:
|-
|-
|rowspan=1|2022||''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''||Detective Mark McDaniels||Episode: "A Better Person"
|rowspan=1|2022||''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''||Detective Mark McDaniels||Episode: "A Better Person"
⚫
|-
|TBA ||''[[Duster (TV series)|Duster]]'' || Abbott || Upcoming series
|}
|}


Line 206: Line 212:
! class="unsortable"| Notes
! class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
|-
|2005||''[[Condemned: Criminal Origins]]''||Ethan Thomas||
|2005||''[[Condemned: Criminal Origins]]''||Ethan Thomas||<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|2007||''[[TimeShift]]''||Commander Mason Cooke||
|2007||''[[TimeShift]]''||Commander Mason Cooke||

Latest revision as of 16:26, 21 November 2024

Greg Grunberg
Grunberg at the 2018 Phoenix Comic Fest
Born
Gregory Phillip Grunberg

(1966-07-11) July 11, 1966 (age 58)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1990–present
Spouse
Elizabeth Dawn Wershow
​
​
(m. 1992)​
Children3

Gregory Phillip Grunberg (born July 11, 1966) is an American film and television actor known for starring as Eric Weiss in the ABC series Alias, Matt Parkman in the NBC series Heroes, Temmin "Snap" Wexley in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and Phil in A Star Is Born. He has often appeared in works produced and directed by his childhood friend J. J. Abrams, such as Felicity as Sean Blumberg. He was a recurring cast member in the first two seasons of the Showtime American television drama series Masters of Sex.

Early life

[edit]

Grunberg was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Sandy (née Klein) and Gerry Grunberg[1][2] and had a Jewish upbringing.[3] He attended University High School in West Los Angeles, class of 1984.[4]

Career

[edit]

Grunberg got his first credited role in Matt Stone and Trey Parker's 1998 film BASEketball. From 1998 to 2002, he appeared as Sean Blumberg on Felicity. He appeared from 2001 to 2006 as Eric Weiss on Alias. He left that series as a regular to star on the NBC sitcom, Grand Union. Since 2003, Abrams had planned a series called The Catch about a bounty hunter, starring Grunberg in the lead role.[5] Suggested for both the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons, the series was never produced; however, a pilot episode was shot.

Abrams also cast Grunberg in a brief role as a pilot for the 2004 series Lost. Grunberg returned for the first-season finale, but his scenes were cut for time and were instead included on the season 1 DVD set. He also appeared in a small role in Mission: Impossible III, which Abrams directed.

Grunberg had a major role in the NBC TV show Heroes as telepathic police officer Matt Parkman. He was offered a part in Star Trek, which Abrams directed, but was unable to do so because of scheduling conflicts. In the final film, he voices Kirk's stepfather in the opening sequence.[6] Grunberg voices FBI agent Ethan Thomas in the video game Condemned: Criminal Origins.

Outside of acting, Grunberg is known as one of the creators of the Yowza!! Android and iPhone application, a GPS-aware coupon-referring program.[7] The company was acquired in 2014 by Spindle, a mobile commerce solutions firm.[8]

He also voices Ant-Man in the animated series The Super Hero Squad Show. Grunberg was featured on the May/June 2009 cover of Making Music magazine.[9] On May 17, 2010, Grunberg announced that he would be joining the cast of Love Bites.[10][non-primary source needed]

He took up a minor role in the 2011 neo-noir detective videogame L.A. Noire, in which he provided both voice and facial motion capture as murder suspect Hugo Moller. On November 7, 2011, he appeared as a guest star on an episode of the TV series Hawaii Five-0 with former Heroes co-star Masi Oka. He also appeared as a special guest star on the March 14, 2012, episode of the TV series Psych.[11]

In 2013, Grunberg appeared in one episode during the first season of the TV series Masters of Sex as the character Gene Moretti, a rich business man. The part was expanded in 2014 to 4 episodes during the second season.[12]

In February 2016, Grunberg co-hosted a late night talk show with Kevin Smith titled Geeking Out on AMC.[13]

Since 2019, Grunberg has been a recurring guest star on the syndicated game show 25 Words or Less.[14]

In 2021, he appeared as a guest star on an episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star in the role of a father fighting for the life of his son, who suffers from epilepsy.[15] This echoes Grunberg's real life activism due to his own son's epilepsy.

Personal life

[edit]

In 1992, Grunberg married Elizabeth Dawn Wershow. They have three children,[16][17] one of whom has epilepsy, which has inspired Grunberg to take an active role in raising awareness of the neurological disorder and raising funds for research.[18]

He often organizes charity efforts to raise funds for the Pediatric Epilepsy Project in Los Angeles.[19] In the past, this has included events such as an auction of guitars handpainted by celebrities such as Donald Trump, Pink and Grunberg's Alias co-stars Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan.[19]

In March 2007, Grunberg served as the chair of the first National Walk for Epilepsy, presented by the Epilepsy Foundation.[20]

In 2009, Grunberg launched Talk About It, a website dedicated to epilepsy education and awareness, featuring many of his co-stars and celebrity friends,[18] including Garner, Larter, Pasdar, Ramamurthy, Ventimiglia, and Panettiere, as well as Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Drew Pinsky, Ron Rifkin, and John Mayer. The site features Grunberg interviewing top epilepsy experts on the need to talk more about epilepsy, and includes a section for people all over the world to talk about it.[21]

Grunberg was a participant in the first-ever national television advertising campaign supporting donations to Jewish federations. The program featured "film and television personalities celebrating their Jewish heritage and promoting charitable giving to the Jewish community" and included Marlee Matlin, Joshua Malina, Kevin Weisman, and Jonathan Silverman.[3] He made a tongue-in-cheek promotional video for Temple Judea Religious School lambasting boring Hebrew Religious schools.[22]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Witchcraft V: Dance with the Devil Bartender
1996 The Pallbearer Bobby Uncredited
1997 Picture Perfect Date #1
1998 BASEketball Wilke
1998 Senseless Steve
2000 Hollow Man Carter Abbey
2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember Shirtless Fan T
2003 Malibu's Most Wanted Brett
2004 The Ladykillers TV commercial director
2004 Connie and Carla Studio tour guide
2006 The Darkroom Bob
Mission: Impossible III Kevin
2009 Star Trek James T. Kirk's stepfather / Uncle Frank Brad William Henke originally played Uncle Frank until his scenes were cut for time and Grunberg then redubbed his lines via voice only
2010 Kill Speed Chief of Police
Group Sex Jerry
2013 Big Ass Spider! Alex
2014 Let's Kill Ward's Wife Bruce
2015 Underdog Kids Announcer
Tales of Halloween Alex Mathis
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Temmin "Snap" Wexley
2016 Star Trek Beyond Commander Finnegan
2018 The Cloverfield Paradox Joe Voice[23]
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Steel Maxim Voice[23]
A Star Is Born Phil (Jackson's Driver)
2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Temmin "Snap" Wexley
2020 Max Reload and the Nether Blasters Eugene Wylder / MMO Wizard
2022 The Fabelmans Bernie Fein

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Baywatch Nightclub Host
1998 Diagnosis: Murder Brad Carver Episode: "The Last Resort"
1998–2002 Felicity Sean Blumberg Recurring (season 1)
Main (season 2–4): 66 episodes
1999 Rescue 77 Paramedic #2 Episode: "Pilot"
2001 NYPD Blue Joey Schulman Season 8, episodes 18,19,20
2001–2006 Alias Eric Weiss
2004 The Dead Zone Frankie Cantrell
2004, 2010 Lost Seth Norris (pilot)
2006 Monk Jack Leverett Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Actor"
2006 The Jake Effect Nick Case
House Ronald Neuberger Episode: "Sex Kills"
2006–2010 Heroes Matt Parkman
2008–2009 Head Case Himself
2009 The Super Hero Squad Show Ant-Man Voice, recurring role
Robot Chicken Odin Voice, episode: "Dear Consumer"
2010 Bond of Silence Detective Paul Jackson TV film
2011 Love Bites Judd Rousher
ISSUES The Dark Kodiak Webseries
Hawaii Five-0 Agent Jeff Morrison Guest (season 2), episode 8
2012 Psych Jay Guest (season 6), episode 12
Ultimate Spider-Man Ben Parker Voice, episode: "Strange"[23]
2012–2013 The Client List Dale Recurring
2012 Baby Daddy Ray Wheeler
2013 End of the World Owen Stokes Television film[24]
2013–2014 Masters of Sex Gene Moretti
2014 Hell's Kitchen Himself Dining room guest in "18 Chefs Compete"
2015 The Haunting of... Greg Grunberg Himself Documentary TV series
(season 5), episode 1
2015 Criminal Minds Chris Callahan
2015–2016 Heroes Reborn Matt Parkman Miniseries
2016–2017 Life in Pieces Mikey 2 episodes
2016 Geeking Out Himself Co-host
2016–2017 The Flash Tom Patterson 2 episodes
2017 Pawn Stars Himself Episode: "La La Land"
2018 Paterno Scott Paterno TV film
Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure William Voice, episode: "Vigor the Visionary"[23]
2019 Castle Rock Boucher
2020 The Boys Himself 1 episode
2021 The Simpsons Bad Robot's Head of Security Voice, episode: "Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars"
9-1-1: Lone Star George Episode: "One Day"
Goliath Greg Wetzel Episode: "The Pain Killer"
2022 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Detective Mark McDaniels Episode: "A Better Person"

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Condemned: Criminal Origins Ethan Thomas [23]
2007 TimeShift Commander Mason Cooke
2010 Halo: Reach Trooper 2
2011 L.A. Noire Hugo Moller
2016 Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens Temmin "Snap" Wexley
2022 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Music video

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Have It All Principal (uncredited) Song by Jason Mraz

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Greg Grunberg Biography Archived May 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Yahoo!. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  2. ^ Greg Grunberg profile, nndb.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Film and Television Celebrities Promote Jewish Federations in First-Ever National Television Advertising Campaign – Jewish Stars Promote Federations' Initiatives and Mission". Jewish Federations of North America. August 2, 2004. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013.
  4. ^ University High School 1984 yearbook, Uni Hi Education Foundation. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  5. ^ "The Catch (TV Movie 2005)". IMDb. January 11, 2016.
  6. ^ "Abrams + Trek Team Chat Starts HERE 1 PM (Pacific)". trekmovie.com. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
  7. ^ "Greg Grunberg: Heroes star, Yowza iPhone app maven". shortformblog.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  8. ^ "Spindle Acquires Mobile-Coupon Service Yowza". PYMNTS.com. January 6, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  9. ^ "The Beat Man". Making Music. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  10. ^ "Greg Grunberg on Twitter". Retrieved March 2, 2016 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Greg Grunberg". IMDb. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  12. ^ Eyerly, Alan (August 11, 2014). "Masters of Sex recap". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  13. ^ "AMC ORDERS NEW LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOW, "GEEKING OUT" (Working Title)". AMC Networks. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  14. ^ Fishman, Scott (November 29, 2020). "Meredith Vieira on Hosting '25 Words or Less' From Home, & the Game ShowBoom". tvinsider.com. NTVB Media, Inc. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  15. ^ Hamri, Sanaa (May 17, 2021), One Day, 9-1-1: Lone Star, retrieved December 24, 2021
  16. ^ Parent Dish: "Greg Grunberg is a Hero for Epilepsy" by Susan Wagner April 1, 2009
  17. ^ Premier Magazine: "La biographie de Greg Grunberg" Archived June 7, 2013, at the Wayback Machine retrieved November 2, 2013 |(in French)
  18. ^ a b People: "Greg Grunberg's Son 90 Percent Better after Brain Surgery" By Lisa Ingrassia April 1, 2009
  19. ^ a b Look To the Stars: "Greg Grunberg" retrieved November 2, 2013
  20. ^ Epilepsy Foundation: "Hollywood Movie Premiere Highlights National Epilepsy Awareness Month". Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  21. ^ "Talk About It!". talkaboutit.org. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  22. ^ You Tube Temple Judea: "Save the Children – Stop Hebrew School Suffering". Retrieved November 2, 2013
  23. ^ a b c d e "Greg Grunberg (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved February 5, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  24. ^ "End of the World (2013) (TV)". IMDb.
[edit]
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