Julian Richings (born 30 August 1956)[1][2][3] is a British-Canadian character actor,[4] having appeared in over 225 films and television series. He is best known for his appearances in a variety of horror films, including Cube, Wrong Turn, The Witch, Beau is Afraid, Ejecta, and Anything for Jackson, as well as for portraying Death in the dark fantasy series Supernatural.[5][6]

Julian Richings
Richings at the 2015 Phoenix Comicon
Born (1956-08-30) 30 August 1956 (age 67)
Alma materUniversity of Exeter
OccupationActor
Years active1987–present
Children2

Early life edit

Richings was born in Oxford, England on August 30, 1956. He trained in drama at the University of Exeter.[7]

Career edit

After touring the United States with a British stage production, Richings moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1984.[7] Within five years, he had become a regular on the second season of the War of the Worlds TV series. In the 1996 film Hard Core Logo, he played the bitter, aging, punk rock legend Bucky Haight. He appeared in the iconic opening of the 1997 film Cube.[4] In 1999, he appeared in the science fiction film Thrill Seekers.

In 2000, he appeared as Bellanger in The Claim, and earned a Genie Award nomination for best supporting actor.[8] He was a member of the repertory cast of the A&E TV original series A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001–02).

Richings performed in heavy makeup as cannibal-killer Three Finger in Wrong Turn (2003), and was a series regulars as the nearly-blind security guard Otto in Stephen King's 2004 miniseries Kingdom Hospital.[9] Dramatic roles include stagehand Mr. Turnbull in the 2004 film Being Julia.[4] He appeared as Orr, a cruel loan shark in the 2004 Canadian film The Last Casino. In 2006, he appeared in a brief speaking role as the Mutant Theatre Organiser in X-Men: The Last Stand, and played a vampire killer alongside in the direct-to-DVD horror film The Last Sect.

In 2007, Richings played a driver in the film Shoot 'Em Up,[4] a dissipated and aging punk rocker in The Third Eye, transvestite psychologist Dr. Heker in The Tracey Fragments, and a number of small roles in other films, including Skinwalkers and Saw IV.[4]

He appeared in the 2008 film The Timekeeper. That year, Richings was nominated for another Dora Award for his performance in The Palace of the End.

Richings made an appearance in the 2010 fantasy film adaption Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lighting Thief as Charon, the ferryman of Hades.[10] That year, he began a recurring villian role on the horror comedy series Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.[6] From 2010 to 2015, he portrayed Death in the hit dark fantasy series Supernatural.[11] He was also Death in the short film Dave v. Death (2011).[12]

He appeared in Zach Snyder's 2013 Superman film Man of Steel as Lor-Em, spokeman for the Krytonian Council.[4] The same year, Richings played the mysterious, stringy-haired Phil Prosser in Septic Man.[13]

In 2014, he starred in the science fiction film Ejecta.[14] The role earned him a Best Actor win at the Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival.[15][16] In 2015, he appeared in Robert Eggers' horror film The Witch and the drama film Reign.[5]

In 2019, Richings played Nazi scientist Heinrich Von Fuchs on DC Universe's Doom Patrol.[17]

His portrayal of Henry Walsh in Justin G. Dyck's 2020 supernatural horror film Anything for Jackson, earned him his second Best Actor win at the Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival.[18][19]

In 2022, Richings appeared in the television shows The Umbrella Academy, Reginald the Vampire, and Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities.[20][21][22] In 2023, he had a role in Ari Aster's tragicomedy horror film Beau is Afraid.[23]

In 2024, Richings appeared as Procrustes, the half-giant and half-brother of the titular character, in the Disney+ fantasy show Percy Jackson and the Olympians.[24]

Personal life edit

Richings is married and has two children. They reside in Toronto.[7]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1987 Love at Stake Town Crier
1989 The Top of His Head Robert
1991 Naked Lunch Exterminator
1992 Giant Steps Danceband Teacher
1994 Squanto: A Warrior's Tale Sir George's Servant
1995 Moonlight and Valentino Hair Stylist
1996 Hard Core Logo Haight
Love Child Tom Sr. Short fillm
The Boys Club Officer Cole
1997 The Cellar Woolsey Short film
Mimic Workman
The Boys Club Officer Cole
Cube Alderson
Pale Saints Einstein
1998 Urban Legend Weird Janitor
Motel Tenant
Red Violin Nicolas Olsberg
1999 Detroit Rock City Ticket Taker
Thrill Seekers Murray Trevor
2000 The Crossing McKenzie
Washed Up Reginald
Rats Orderly
Two Thousand and None Curator
The Claim Bellanger
2001 Century Hotel Waiter
I Shout Love Cab driver Short film
On Their Knees Pappy
Treed Murray Homeless Man
The Pretender: Island of the Haunted Brother Clote
2002 Between Strangers Nigel
2003 Open Range Wylie
My Life Without Me Dr. Thompson
Wrong Turn Three Finger
The Truth About the Head Lobster Short film
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil Satan
Mad Shadows Doctor
Bar Life Ed
2004 Being Julia Mr. Turnbull
Sisters in the Wilderness: The Lives of Susanna Moodie and Catharine Parr Traill William Cattermole
Run Away Home Minister
Mr. Jones: Drive Mr. Jones Short film
Safe Jimmy Short film
Re-Generation Contact
The Last Casino The Usurer
2005 Black Widow Dr. Deadman
2006 Skinwalkers Sad-Looking Man
The Last Sect Karpov
A Lobster Tale Hank Perkins
Screening News Anchor # 2 Short film
X-Men: The Last Stand Mutant Organiser
2007 Shoot 'Em Up Hertz's Driver
Dead Silence Bos Uncredited
Saw IV Vagrant
The Canadian Shield Trapper Ray Short film
The Third Eye Charlie Rabbit
The Tracey Fragments Dr. Heker
2008 Heartland Mr. Hanley
Jack and Jill vs. the World Mr. Smith
Toronto Stories Leather Jacket
The Facts in the Case of Mistert Hollow Kneeling Man Short film
Elegy Actor in Play
2009 Curious Stories, Crooked Symbols Sinister Kneeling Man Short film
The Timekeeper Grease
You Might as Well Live Dr. Pooseby
Survival of the Dead James O'Flynn
2010 Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Charon
Hard Core Logo 2 Bucky Haight
Trigger Bucky
2011 Collaborator Maurice LeFont
Animal Control Larry Short film
Furstenau Mysteries Jameson
Up in Cottage Country The Officer
Patch Town Child Catcher
2012 The Conspiracy Green Man
The Architecture of the Moon Jonas Short film
Rainbow Connection Landlord Short film
The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh Bill Phillips / Neither Man Nor Woman / Rahn Brothers
Artist: Unknown Fred Varley Short film
The Tape Jack Short film
2013 Man of Steel Lor-Em
The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh Rahn Brothers
The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet Ricky
The Colony Leyland
Septic Man Phil Prosser
Victims Gatling
We Are Not Here Monday Short film
2014 The Last Halloween Chatterbox Short film
Bastards Jack Cage Short film
Ejecta William Cassidy
Patch Town Yuri
Hellmouth Smiley
2015 A Christmas Horror Story Gerhardt
The Rainbow Kid Elvis Grimes
The Witch Governor
Regression Tom
Reign Mr. Ian
She Stoops to Conquer Short film
All Hallows' Eve 2 Chatterrbox Segment: "The Last Halloween"
Business Ethics Martin Abacus Short film
Friends Like Us Ermanno Ca$$H
2016 Blood Hunters Father Stewart
Prisoner X Jefferson
The Big Push Billy Short film
The Space Between Stash
2017 Todd and the Book of Pure Evil: The End of the End Hooded Leader / Malian Trader
Tomato Red: Blood Money Tim Lake
2019 Polar Lomas
True Fiction Lenny Rupert
Business Ethics Martin Abacus
2020 Stardust Tony DeFries
Spare Parts The Emperor
Road Kill Renegade Hillbilly Short film
Anything for Jackson Henry Walsh
Hall Julian
Vicious Fun Fritz
2021 Chaos Walking Gault
Charlotte Dr. Kurt Singer/Policeman #1/SS Soldier #2 Voice
Stanleyville Homunculus
2022 Time Traveling Through Time Narrator Short film
Wickensburg Mr. Hexenmeister
Salvation John
Relax, I'm from the Future Percy
2023 Beau Is Afraid Strange Man

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood TV film
1987 Adderly Episode: "Nemsis"
1989–1990 War of the Worlds Ardix
Alien Scientist
Man with Hat
15 episodes
1990 Counterstrike Rettie Episode: "Art for Art's Sake"
Clarence Reynolds TV film
1991 Maniac Mansion Tax Man Episode: "Turner: The Boss"
Rin Tin Kin: K-9 Cop Episode: "What the Doctor Ordered"
1991-1995 Heritage Minutes A.A. Milne / King Henry VII 2 episodes
1992 The Valour and the Horror John Crocker Episode: "In Desperate Battle: Normandy 1944"
1993 Street Legal Harold Cooper-Haye
Rolan Atkinson
1 episode
1 episode
1993–1994 Ready or Not Mr. Boyle 4 episodes
1994 RoboCop Dr. Proctor Episode: "Faces of Eve"
The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon Alien Episode: "Dudley Meets the Alien"
1995 Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years Logan's Henchman Miniseries; Episode: "The Alliance"
Forever Knight Dr. Paul Dana Episode: "A More Permanent Hell"
The Shamrock Conspiracy Reader TV film
The Song Spinner Callo
Strauss: The King of 3/4 Time Bono
1996 Due South Miles Emery Episode: "The Promise"
1997 PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal Earl Cornell Episode: "The 13th Floor / The Believer"
Ms. Scrooge Christmas Yet to Come TV film
Artemisia Painter
Once a Thief: Brother Against Brother Cam
1997–1998 Once a Thief 11 episodes
1997–1999 La Femme Nikita Errol Sparks 2 episodes
1998 Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms Bix TV film
Highlander: The Raven Basil Morgan 2 episodes
The Adventures of Shirley Holmes Doctor Saul Sprockett Episode: "The Case of the Film Flam Farm"
Once a Thief: Family Business Camier TV film
1999 I Was a Sixth Grade Alien Meenom 22 episodes
Amazon Elder Malakai 10 episodes
Thrill Seekers Murray Trevor TV film
2000 Hustle Detective Walsh
The Crossing McKenzie
The Zack Files The Mad Hatter Episode: "Library of No Return"
2001 MythQuest Loki Episode: "Hammer of the Gods"
Prince Charming Wacktazar TV film
The Pretender: Island of the Haunted Brother Clote TV film
2002 A Nero Wolfe Mystery Poet / Jerome Åland /

Peter Jay / Alger Kates

6 episodes
Tracker Max Episode: "To Catch a Desserian"
Salem Witch Trials Jonathan Walcott TV film
2003 Eloise at the Plaza Patrice TV film
Slings and Arrows Reg Mortimer Episode: "Geoffrey Returns"
The Wonderful World of Disney Patrice 2 episodes
2004 Kingdom Hospital Otto 13 episodes
The Last Casino Orr TV film
2004 - 2006 Puppets Who Kill French Painter / Mr. Portnoy 2 episodes
2005 1-800-Missing Doc 2 episodes
2006 At the Hotel Baby Man Episode: "That's How You Wave a Towel"
The Shakespeare Comedy Show Ranting Bard 3 episodes
Drive Time Murders 'The Doc' TV film
2007 Grossology Darko Crevasse Voice role; Episode: "Lights Out"
Nature of the Beast Dr. Chamberlain TV film
Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost Mr. Tibers
2008 Roxy Hunter and the Secret of the Shaman
Roxy Hunter and the Horrific Halloween
Roxy Hunter and the Myth of the Mermaid
XIII Mr. Cody 2 episodes
The Trojan Horse Barrie Miniseries; Episode: "Part One"
2009 The Boarder Professor Adrian Maguire Episode: "Dying Art"
Sea Wolf Mugridge Episode: "#1.2"
2009–2010 Heartland Levon Hanley 2 episodes
2010 Wingin' It William Shakespeare 1 Episode
Lost Girl Arval Episode: "Food for Thought"
2010–2012 Todd and the Book of Pure Evil Hooded Leader / Atticus Murphy Sr. 15 episodes
2010–2015 Supernatural Death 5 episodes
2011 Dave vs Death Death TV short
Three Inches Ethan TV film
Bag of Bones Elmer Durgin Episode: "Part 1"
2012 Republic of Doyle Lionel Harris Episode: "3x11"
Transporter: The Series Edouard Orlande / The Voice 5 episodes
2012; 2023 Murdoch Mysteries Phillip Uxbridge / Carny 2 episodes
2013 Hemlock Grove Swiss Doctor Episode: "Catabasis"
Rookie Blue Cedric Episode: "Poison Pill"
2014 Hell on Wheels SLC Records Clerk Episode: "Further West'
The Listener Miles Mellini Episode: "Smoke and Mirrors"
2014–2016 Orphan Black Benjamin Kertland 7 episodes
2015 Hannibal Caged Man Episode: "Secondo"
The Expanse Vargas 1 episode
2015 - 2018 Patriot Peter Icabod 15 episodes
2016 Killjoys Anicent Scarback Episode: "Full Metal Monk"
2017 Fare Trade Shifty Episode: "In Search of: A Super Miracle"
2018 The Magicians Asteroth Episode: "The Losses of Magic"
Channel Zero The Gardener 3 episodes
12 Monkeys The Adviser 5 episodes
Frontier Mr. Pickersgill Episode: "All For All and None For One"
Creeped Out Zephaniah 2 episodes
2019 Doom Patrol Sturmbannführer Heinrich Von Fuchs 2 episodes
The Christmas Temp Luca TV film
Carter Ray Understone Episode: "Harley Loses a Finger"
Perpetual Grace, LTD Jonathan Joy 4 episodes
Blood & Treasure Alessandro 4 episodes
Talent Drivers Vince Episode: "Give Him What He Wants"
American Gods Iktomi Episode: "Muninn"
2020 Detention Adventure 2 episodes
2021 Chapelwaite Phillip Boone 5 episodes
2022 The Umbrella Academy Chet Rodo Recurring role (season 3)
Reginald the Vampire Logan 2 episodes
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities Dooley Episode: "Graveyard Rats"
2024 Percy Jackson and the Olympians Crusty / Procrustes Episode: "We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of"

Video games edit

Year Title Voice role Notes
2015 Assassin's Creed: Syndicate Charles Darwin
2018 Starlink: Battle for Atlas Grax
2020 Watch Dogs: Legion

Audio dramas edit

Year Title Role Notes
2020-2022 The Integral Principles of the Structural Dynamics of Flow Julian Richings 7 episodes

On stage edit

Year Title Role Director Venue Notes Ref.
1987 The Elephant Man John Merrick Paul Lampert Persephone Theatre [25]
Amadeus Salieri Tibor Fehereghazi [26]
The Man Himself Michael Cheryl May Flexible Packaging Plant
1989 Coming Through Slaughter Bellocq Richard Rose Silver Dollar Tavern Necessary Angel Company [27]
1990 Lion in the Streets Bill / Priest / Michael Judith Thompson Tarragon Theatre [28]
1996 Twelfth Night Malvolio Michael Langham Atlantic Theatre [29][30]
Two Weeks with the Queen Maja Ardal Young People's Theatre [31][32]
1997 Inexpressible Island Browning Richard Rose Canadian Stage Necessary Angel Company [33]
2008 The Palace of the End David Kelly David Storch [34]
2011 I Send You This Cadmium John Berger Daniel Brooks Berkeley St. Theatre [35]
2014 Enwave Theatre [36]
2016 To All a Good Night Narrator Andrew Burashko Harbourfront Centre Theatre [37]
Mustard Leslie / Lewis Ashlie Corcoran Tarragon Theatre [38]

Awards and nominations edit

Film and television edit

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Notes Ref.
2002 Genie Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role The Claim Nominated [39]
2009 Chlotrudis Awards Best Supporting Actor The Tracey Fragments Nominated [40]
2013 Hamilton Film Festival Best Actor Animal Control Nominated [41]
2014 Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival Best Actor Ejecta Won [16]
2020 Anything for Jackson Won [19]
Canadian Screen Awards Best Supporting Performance - Web Program or Series Talent Drivers Nominated [42]
2021 New Media Film Festival Best TV Detention Adventure Won Shared with Sarah McVie [43]
2022 The North Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award Won [44]

Theatre edit

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Notes Ref.
1987 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role - Play The Man Himself Won [45]
1989 Best Featured Performer Coming Through Slaughter Won [45]
1996 Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role - Play Two Weeks with the Queen Nominated
2008 Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role - Play The Palace of the End Nominated [46]

References edit

  1. ^ "Julian Richings on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022.[user-generated source]
  2. ^ @JulianRichings (30 August 2022). "Yes today is the real one..." Twitter.
  3. ^ Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005.; at Ancestry.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Julian Richings". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2013. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013.
  5. ^ a b Gingold, Michael (28 February 2019). "Q&A: EJECTA Star And Canadian Horror Veteran Julian Richings, Part One » FANGORIA". Fangoria. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b Kennedy, Michael (16 June 2020). "Wrong Turn: What Julian Richings Has Done Since Playing Three-Finger". ScreenRant. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Salfen, Paul (22 June 2021). "Actor Julian Richings Discusses Two New Films ANYTHING FOR JACKSON and SPARE PARTS - AMFM Magazine.tv". Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  8. ^ Posner, Michael (13 December 2001). "Atanarjuat, War Bride lead Genie list". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  9. ^ ""Ejecta"'s Julian Richings Talks "Wrong Turn", Romero, Del Toro and More". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  10. ^ Blum, Gillian (28 January 2024). "Disney+'s Percy Jackson Show Brings Back 1 Unexpected Actor from the First Movie". The Direct. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  11. ^ Agard, Chancellor (12 October 2020). "'Supernatural' send-off: Julian Richings looks back on Death's chilling debut". EW.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  12. ^ Bravofact.com Archived 23 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Goldstein, Gary (14 August 2014). "Review: 'Septic Man' is as drearily gross as it sounds". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  14. ^ Miska, Brad (22 December 2014). "IFC Midnight Dates 'Wyrmwood' and 'Ejecta'". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  15. ^ Wilner, Norman (26 November 2014). "Be very afraid of the Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival - NOW Magazine". NOW Toronto. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival (2014)". IMDb. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  17. ^ Gualtieri, Jacqueline (11 August 2021). "Will We Ever See Beard Hunter Again? Where 'Doom Patrol's' Strangest Metahuman for Hire Is Now". Distractify. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  18. ^ Slotek, Jim (15 December 2020). "Original-Cin interview: Julian Richings talks about his face, why he loves horror and why horror loves him". Original Cin. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival (2020)". IMDb. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  20. ^ Ashworth, Kristen (20 June 2022). "The Umbrella Academy Season 3: Where You've Seen The New Cast". ScreenRant. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  21. ^ Bennett, Tara (8 December 2022). "'Reginald the Vampire' showrunner explains the finale's twists and teases Season 2". SYFY Official Site. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  22. ^ Gugliersi, Antonella (25 October 2022). "Cabinet Of Curiosities: Graveyard Rats Cast & Character Guide". ScreenRant. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  23. ^ Ebiri, Bilge (13 June 2023). "Let's Talk About the Ending of Beau Is Afraid". Vulture. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  24. ^ Williams, Jordan (25 January 2024). "Disney's Percy Jackson Show Shockingly Just Brought Back An Actor From The 2010 Movie (& Recast Them Perfectly)". ScreenRant. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  25. ^ "The Elephant Man". Persephone Theatre. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Amadeus". Persephone Theatre. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  27. ^ Porter, Deborah (16 June 2023). "Adapting Fiction for the Stage: Necessary Angel's Coming Through Slaughter". UTP Journals. 115 (Summer 2003): 17–20 – via University of Toronto Press.
  28. ^ "Lion in the Streets – Tarragon Theatre". Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Michael Langham". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Richings". Gary Goddard Agency. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Playbill Poll: Members Recall Theatre in 1996, Part 2". Playbill. 30 December 1996. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  32. ^ https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ALL-SEASONS-revised-Spring-2018.pdf
  33. ^ "Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia - Inexpressible Island". www.canadiantheatre.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  34. ^ Jones, Kenneth (2 January 2008). "Palace of the End, Thompson's Triptych About Iraq War, Gets Toronto Run". Playbill. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  35. ^ Sierra, Gabrielle. "Art of Time Ensemble Announces 2011-2012 Season". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  36. ^ "Interview: Julian Richings". That Shelf. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  37. ^ "TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT 2". Art of Time Ensemble. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  38. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (18 February 2016). "Reviews: New Canadian plays Mustard and Dalton and Company". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Genie Awards (2002)". IMDb. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  40. ^ "2009, 15th Annual Awards, March 22, 2009". Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  41. ^ "Hamilton Film Festival, CA (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  42. ^ "2024 Canadian Screen Awards Nominees". Academy.ca. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  43. ^ "New Media Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  44. ^ "2022 Award Winners". The North Film Festival. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  45. ^ a b "Toronto February Stage Highlights". Playbill. 18 February 1999. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  46. ^ "Nominees for the 2008 Dora Mavor Moore Awards | Mooney on Theatre". www.mooneyontheatre.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.

External links edit