Geoffrey "Geoff" Pierson (born June 16, 1949) is an American actor known for his role on The WB series Unhappily Ever After as Jack Malloy, the father of a dysfunctional family whose best friend is a stuffed animal rabbit named Mr. Floppy. He is also known for his roles on the soap opera Ryan's Hope, and a recurring role as Tom Matthews on the Showtime series Dexter.
Life and career
Pierson was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Helen T. (née McGinness) and Roy J. Pierson, who worked in business.
Unhappily Ever After was created by one of the original creators of FOX's Married...With Children and Pierson appeared on the season two episode "Just Married...With Children" as a loving husband who refused to abuse his wife on the game show How Do I Love Thee. Other TV roles include a regular role as R.T. Howard on That 80's Show, and recurring roles on Grace Under Fire as Grace's ex-husband Jimmy and on 24 as President John Keeler, appearing in 19 episodes in Seasons 3 and 4. He also appeared in the 2003 Comedy Central TV film Windy City Heat as "The President of Show Business".
In 2006, he guest-starred in Criminal Minds, playing Max Ryan, a former FBI agent-turned-author and also Jason Gideon's mentor who comes out of his retirement to capture a serial killer known as the Keystone Killer in the episode, Unfinished Business. He appeared in the 2008 film Changeling as the flamboyant defense attorney Sammy "S.S." Hahn.
Beginning in 2010, he had a recurring role in Boardwalk Empire as Senator Walter Edge. In 2011, Pierson played Midas Mulligan in Atlas Shrugged, based on Ayn Rand's novel of the same name. He played Russell Dunbar's wealthy father in Rules of Engagement. He also was a minor recurring character on the show Young Justice as the first Flash, Jay Garrick. In season four of Castle, he played Mr. Smith. In 2014 he appeared in an episode of Suburgatory as George Altman's father.
References
External links
- Geoff Pierson at the Internet Movie Database