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Jason Priestley

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Jason Priestley
Priestley in 2012
Born
Jason Bradford Priestley

(1969-08-28) August 28, 1969 (age 55)
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Citizenship
  • Canada
  • United States
Occupations
  • Actor
  • television director
Years active1978–present
Spouse(s)
Ashlee Peterson
​
​
(m. 1999; div. 2000)​
[1][2]
Naomi Lowde
​
​
(m. 2005)​
Children2

Jason Bradford Priestley (born August 28, 1969)[3][4] is a Canadian actor and television director. He is best known as the virtuous Brandon Walsh on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–1998, 2000), as Richard "Fitz" Fitzpatrick in the show Call Me Fitz (2010–2013) and for his role as Matt Shade in the Canadian series Private Eyes (2016–2021).

Early life

Jason Bradford Priestley was born on August 28, 1969, in North Vancouver, British Columbia. His mother, Sharon Kirk, was an actress and acting coach.[5] He is a graduate of Argyle Secondary School in North Vancouver. He has an older sister, actress Justine Priestley, and two step-siblings, Karin and Kristi. He became a naturalized American citizen in 2007.

Career

Priestley first started his television career doing commercials for companies such as Fletcher's Meats and then guest-starring as Bobby Conrad a.k.a. Roberto Coronado Jr., a mobster's grandson, in the early 1987 episode "A Piece of Cake" from the fourth and final season of the television series Airwolf, and appeared in two episodes of 21 Jump Street in 1987–88, as 'Pencil' on Quantum Leap (E1S8 May 1989), then moved on to the 1989 short-lived sitcom Sister Kate, which starred Stephanie Beacham. He played Todd, one of the foster children under the care of Sister Kate, an English nun.

Priestley with Shannen Doherty at the Governor's Ball following the 43rd Annual Emmy Awards, August 1991

In 1990, Priestley was chosen as Brandon Walsh on the hit series Beverly Hills, 90210. The show garnered worldwide fame and popularity and made Priestley a teen idol, he was nominated for two Golden Globes for his work on the show. He also directed 15 of the show's episodes. He remained on the show until 1998, when Brandon moved to Washington, D.C. Brandon was the last Walsh to leave the show; however, Priestley would continue to serve as an executive producer until the show ended in 2000.

Priestley joined the cast of Tru Calling as Jack Harper during 2004 and 2005. He was also a regular on the 2006 program Love Monkey. His television work also includes the WB show What I Like About You and a February 2006 appearance on Without a Trace. Priestley has also made several films, his most notable role perhaps[citation needed] being in 1997's Love and Death on Long Island, in which he played a teen idol struggling to be taken seriously as an actor. He directed the 19th episode in the final season of 7th Heaven. He also directed two episodes of The Secret Life of the American Teenager: "Slice of Life" and "Just Say No." They appeared on August 26, 2008, and September 9, 2008, on ABC Family.

On July 15, 2007, he returned to series television as one of the lead males in Lifetime Television's comedy–drama Side Order of Life. Priestley made a guest appearance on NBC's My Name Is Earl in 2008. He played Blake, Earl's better-looking and more successful cousin.[6] That year, Priestley directed five episodes of Secret Life.[7] Priestley directed the episode when Tori Spelling returned to 90210. In 2009 Priestley directed and co-produced all 12 episodes of the Web series The Lake[8] on TheWB.com. In December 2009 along with Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, and Eddie Izzard, Priestley was featured in The Day of the Triffids, written by Patrick Harbinson, whose credits include ER and Law & Order. The drama is based on John Wyndham's best-selling post-apocalyptic novel, The Day of the Triffids.[9]

Priestley directed his former co-star Luke Perry in the Hallmark Channel movie Goodnight for Justice, which aired in January 2011.[10] He guest-starred as one half of a con artist couple alongside Jennifer Finnigan in a sixth-season episode of USA's Psych[11] and also appeared in the music video "Boys" by Britney Spears. Priestley starred as the main character of the HBO Canada TV show Call Me Fitz from 2010 to 2013. It ended after its fourth season in December 2013. In August 2011 Priestley joined the cast of sci-fi television show Haven, in a recurring role during its second season and made two appearances in the final season. He also directed two episodes.

Priestley's feature film directorial debut was the independent road trip comedy Cas & Dylan, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Tatiana Maslany.

In April 2013, Priestley appeared in Canadian Stage's production of Race, a David Mamet play, in Toronto at the Bluma Appel Theater.[12] In 2015, Priestley starred alongside Gael García Bernal in Zoom, a comedy directed by Pedro Morelli that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In May 2016, Priestley began starring in the Global TV Network comedy–drama series Private Eyes, in the role of Matt Shade, a former hockey player turned private detective.[13]

In August 2016, Priestley was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.[14]

Jason Priestley was nominated for best lead actor in a comedy series for The Movie Network's Nova Scotia-filmed Call Me Fitz.[15]

In 2013, Priestley directed one episode of the CTV television series Satisfaction.[15]

Personal life

Jason Priestley with his wife Naomi Lowde-Priestley (2012)

In 1999, Priestley crashed his Porsche car into a telephone pole in Hollywood Hills and was arrested for driving while under the influence. His driver's license was suspended for a year, and he was ordered to complete an alcohol-management program.[16]

On May 14, 2005, Priestley married make-up artist Naomi Lowde. On July 2, 2007, the couple had a daughter, Ava Veronica.[17] On April 13, 2009, Priestley announced that he and his wife were expecting their second child.[18] On July 9, 2009, the couple had a son, Dashiell Orson.[19]

On July 9, 2007, he revealed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that he had become an American citizen several weeks earlier.

Priestley's sister, Justine, is also an actor and appeared in a couple of episodes of the 90210 spin-off Melrose Place, in 1996.

In 2013, the restaurant chain Tim Hortons created a new doughnut in Priestley's honor, called The Priestley. It was not rolled out on a nationwide scale, however.[20]

On May 6, 2014, HarperOne published Priestley's autobiography Jason Priestley: A Memoir.[21]

Race-car driving

Priestley's hobbies include race-car driving. He rallied a Toyota Celica All-Trac ST185 in the SCCA Pro Rally Series during the early to mid-1990s. He has provided commentary and interviews of racers for ABC's TV coverage of IndyCar racing. Priestley transitioned toward circuit racing in 1996.[22] Over the following two seasons, he drove Ford Mustangs in IMSA GTS, USRRC GT1, and Motorola Cup competition with Multimatic Motorsports.[23][24] In 1999, he participated in the first Gumball 3000 rally, driving a Lotus Esprit V-8. On August 11, 2002, he was seriously injured during a practice run at the Kentucky Speedway when his Indy Pro Series car crashed into a wall at nearly 180 miles per hour.

According to a January 2008 Associated Press article, it was announced that Priestley would become a joint owner in a new IndyCar Series team. The new team was known as Rubicon Race Team managed by co-owner Jim Freudenberg. They initially entered a car in the 2008 Indianapolis 500. The car was prepared by Indianapolis-based Sam Schmidt Motorsports and the driver was Max Papis.[25]

In the article, Priestley said, "I'm excited to be able to spend the month of May in Indy with my good friends and be a part of the greatest open wheel race. . . . It's been more than five years since my accident, and it's going to be so good to get to see everyone."[26] Despite the team's enthusiasm, it suffered a crash during the second weekend of qualifying, then had subsequent gearbox problems and failed to qualify for the race.

Priestley was among the owners of the FAZZT Race Team, which competed in the IndyCar Series in 2010 with Canadian racer Alex Tagliani. The car, numbered 77 and sponsored by Bowers & Wilkins, was bought out in 2011 by Sam Schmidt Motorsports. With Tagliani retained by the team, he won the pole at the 2011 Indianapolis 500. In October 2011, two-time and defending Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon took over at Kentucky. At the season-ending IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Wheldon was killed in a 15-car crash.

Promotional activity for Barenaked Ladies

Priestley is a big fan of the band Barenaked Ladies and went to many of their California concerts in the early to mid-1990s. He eventually met the band and in his desire to help them succeed, suggested that he direct the music video for "The Old Apartment,"[27] and use his fame to persuade American stations to air it. He did just that, and also invited the band to play at the "Peach Pit After Dark" on an episode of 90210.[28] Lead singer Ed Robertson continues to cite him as being instrumental in their American success. His final notable contribution to the band came when he directed a feature-length documentary about the band's 1999 whirlwind of success titled Barenaked in America, intending to capture on film the fun he had while riding around on the tour bus with the band.[29]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Boy Who Could Fly Gary
1988 Watchers Boy on Bike
1989 Nowhere to Run Howard
1993 Calendar Girl Roy Darpinian
Tombstone Deputy Billy Breakenridge
1995 Coldblooded Cosmo Reif
1997 Love and Death on Long Island Ronnie Bostock
Hacks The Dude
Vanishing Point The Voice
1998 Conversations in Limbo
The Thin Pink Line Hunter Green
1999 Choose Life DJ
Dill Scallion Jo Joe Hicks
Standing on Fishes Jason
Eye of the Beholder Gary
2000 Lion of Oz Lion Voice role
Herschel Hopper: New York Rabbit Xavier Voice role
The Highwayman Breakfast
2001 Double Down David
The Fourth Angel Davidson
2002 Darkness Falling Michael Pacer
Cherish Andrew
Cover Story JC Peck
Time of the Wolf Mr. Nelson
Fancy Dancing Asa Gemmil
2003 Die, Mommie, Die! Tony Parker
2004 Reality of Love film
Going the Distance Lenny Swackhammer
2006 Hot Tamale Jude
Made in Brooklyn D.J.
2009 The Last Rites of Ransom Pride John
2013 Enter the Dangerous Mind Dr. Dubrow
2015 Zoom Dale
Being Canadian Himself Documentary
2016 Away from Everywhere Alex Collins

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1978 Stacey Duncan TV movie
1987 Airwolf Bobby Episode: "A Piece of Cake"
21 Jump Street Tober / Brian Krompasick Episodes: "Mean Streets and Pastel Houses", "Two for the Road"
Danger Bay Derek Episode: "Deep Trouble"
1988 MacGyver Danny Episode: "Blood Brothers"
1989 Teen Angel Buzz Gunderson Lead role, 10 episodes
Quantum Leap Pencil Episode: "Camikazi Kid"
1989–90 Sister Kate Todd Mahaffey Main role, 19 episodes
1990 Teen Angel Returns Buzz Gunderson Lead role, 4 episodes
1990–2000 Beverly Hills, 90210 Brandon Walsh Main role (seasons 1–9)
Guest role (season 10); 246 episodes
1992 Saturday Night Live Host Episode: "Jason Priestley/Teenage Fanclub"
Drexell's Class Teen Priest Episode: "Cruisin'"
Eek! The Cat Bo Diddly Squat Voice role; 6 episodes
1994 Kings Island 20th Anniversary Special Host TV special
1995 Choices of the Heart: The Margaret Sanger Story Narrator TV movie
Biker Mice from Mars Jack McCyber Voice role; Episodes: "Virtual Unreality", "Hit the Road, Jack"
1997 Vanishing Point The Voice TV movie
The Outer Limits Anthony Szigetti Episode: "New Lease"
1998 Superman: The Animated Series Reep Daggle/Chameleon Boy Voice role; Episode: "New Kids in Town"
2000 Common Ground Billy TV movie
Homicide: The Movie Det. Robert Hall TV movie
The 11 O'Clock Show Himself 4 episodes
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye Jarred TV movie
2001 Spin City Scott Episode: "In the Company of Dudes"
2002 Jeremiah Michael Episode: "...And the Ground, Sown with Salt"
Tom Stone Doug Episode: "Little Bitty"
Warning: Parental Advisory Charlie Burner TV movie
The True Meaning of Christmas Specials Santa Dude TV special
2003 8 Simple Rules Carter Tibbits Episode: "Every Picture Tells a Story"
2004 Chicks with Sticks Steve Cooper TV film[30]
Rides Host Documentary
I Want to Marry Ryan Banks Ryan Banks TV movie
Sleep Murder Peter Radwell TV movie
Quintuplets Steve Chase Episode: "Thanksgiving Day Charade"
2004–05 Tru Calling Jack Harper Recurring role (season 1), main role (season 2), 13 episodes
2005 Colditz Flying Officer Rhett Barker TV movie
Murder at the Presidio Tom TV movie
What I Like About You Charlie Episodes: "The Perfect Date", "Halloween"
Snow Wonder Warren TV movie
2006 Hockeyville Himself
Love Monkey Mike Freed Main role, 8 episodes
Without a Trace Allen Davis Crossroads
Above and Beyond Sir Frederick Banting TV miniseries
Shades of Black: The Conrad Black Story Jeff Riley TV movie
Masters of Horror Alan Alstein Episode: "The Screwfly Solution"
2007 Subs Mr. Clayton Unsold TV pilot
Luna: Spirit of the Whale Ted Jeffries TV movie
Medium Walter Paxton Episodes: "Head Games", "Heads Will Roll", "Everything Comes to a Head"
Don't Cry Now Nick TV movie
Termination Point Caleb Smith TV movie
Everest '82 John Lauchlan TV miniseries
Side Order of Life Ian Denison Main role, 13 episodes
2008 The Other Woman Pete TV movie
My Name Is Earl Cousin Blake Episode: "Earl and Joy's Anniversary"
A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride William TV movie
2009 Expecting a Miracle Pete Stanhope TV movie
The Day of the Triffids Coker TV miniseries
2010 Haven Chris Brody Recurring role, 6 episodes
2010–13 Call Me Fitz Richard "Fitz" Fitzpatrick Lead role, 48 episodes
2011 Stephen King's Bag of Bones Marty TV miniseries
2012 Psych Clive Episode: "Neal Simon's Lover's Retreat"
2013 How I Met Your Mother Himself Episode: "P.S. I Love You"
2013 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Jack Witten Episode: "Frame by Frame (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)"
2014 Hot in Cleveland Corey Chambers Episode: "Rusty Banks Rides Again (Hot in Cleveland)"
2015 Mummies Alive Himself Narrator, TV documentary series
Welcome to Sweden Himself Episode: ""Ljuden"/"Searching for Bergman"
2016–2018 Raising Expectations Wayne Wayney Series lead
2016–2021 Private Eyes Matt Shade Series lead; also executive producer
2018 The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale Himself Episode: "Pickler, Pebbles, Pillows, and Priestley"
2019 The Twilight Zone Himself Episode: "Blurryman"
2019 BH90210 Himself/Brandon Walsh Main role/Co-producer/Director
2019 Dark Angel Tony Tatterton TV film
2019 Fallen Hearts Tony Tatterton TV film; also director
2019 Gates of Paradise Tony Tatterton TV film; also executive producer
2019 Web of Dreams TV film; executive producer
2020 The Order Himself Episode: "Spring Outbreak, Part 2
2020 Dear Christmas Chris Massey Television Film (Hallmark)
2020 Corner Gas Animated Mr. Cahill Voice role; episode: "Float Your Vote"
2022 Canada's Got Talent Himself Guest Judge, 2 episodes

Music videos

Year Song Performer Notes
1992 "I Drove All Night" Roy Orbison with Jennifer Connelly
2002 "Boys (The Co-Ed Remix)" Britney Spears Cameo

As a director

Year Title Medium Notes
1993–97 Beverly Hills, 90210 TV episodes 15 episodes
1997 The Outer Limits TV episode Episode: "New Lease"
1997 Barenaked in America Documentary film
2000 Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye TV film
2001 Grosse Pointe TV episode Episodes #15: "Opposite of Sex"
2006 Hollywood & Vines TV episode
2007 7th Heaven TV episode Episode: "Some Break-Up and Some Get-Togethers"
Don't Cry Now TV film
Subs TV film
2008 The Other Woman TV film
2008–09 The Secret Life of the American Teenager TV series 5 episodes
2009 90210 TV series Episode #18: "Off the Rails"
The Lake TV series Series director
2010 Athletes in Motion TV film
Athletes in Motion: Just Beat It Short
2010–2013 Call Me Fitz TV series 8 episodes
2011–2012 Haven TV episodes Episodes #22: "Lockdown" and #32: "Real Estate"
2011 Dear Santa TV film
2011–2013 Goodnight for Justice TV mini series
2013–2017 Saving Hope TV series 4 episodes
2013 Cas and Dylan Feature film
Satisfaction TV episodes Episodes #9: "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and #13: "Save The Date"
2014 Working the Engels TV series 4 episodes
2015 The Night Shift TV episode Episode #14: "Fog Of War"
Rookie Blue TV episode Episode #73: "Breaking Up the Band"
2016 Dark Matter TV episode Episode: "She's One Of Them Now"
Van Helsing TV episode Episodes: "Little Thing" and "Help Out"
2017 Private Eyes TV episode Episode #11: "The Extra Mile"
Ghost Wars TV episode Episodes #9: "Post-Apocalypse Now" and #11: "The Feast"
Raising Expectations TV episode Episodes #25: "Smells Like Victory"
2018 Van Helsing TV episode Episodes: "Pretty Noose" and "Like Suicide"
2019 Private Eyes TV episode Episode #34: "Hog Day Afternoon"
BH90210 TV episode Episode #3: "The Photo Shoot"
V. C. Andrews Television movie adaptations TV film "Fallen Hearts"
2020–2021 Private Eyes TV episode Episode #47: "Under Par-essure"
TV episode Episode #53: "In the Arms of Morpheus"
TV episode Episode #59: "Smart Home Alone"

Awards and nominations

Gemini Awards

  • 2003: Nominated, "Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series" – The True Meaning of Christmas Specials (shared w/co-stars)

Golden Globe Awards

  • 1993: Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series (Drama)" – Beverly Hills, 90210
  • 1995: Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series (Drama)" – Beverly Hills, 90210

Young Artist Awards

  • 1990: Nominated, "Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Television Series" – Sister Kate

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jason Priestley Weds Longtime Girlfriend". foxnews.com. FOX News Network, LLC. Associated Press. March 25, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  2. ^ "1.73 m Tall Canadian-American Actor Jason Priestley Married Twice Is in a Relationship with Naomi Since 2005; Has Two Children". hitberry.com. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  3. ^ "Jason Priestley". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  4. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1991). Luke Mania! Jason Fever!. London: Fantail.
  5. ^ "My Vancouver – then & Now: Jason Priestley". September 4, 2013.
  6. ^ Camden County, 08102: Priestley to Play Blake on Earl Archived October 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine" TV Guide.Retrieved on October 16, 2008.
  7. ^ Jason Priestley Gets Busy on Earl, Secret Life, 90210 Archived December 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine" TV Guide. Retrieved on November 12, 2008.
  8. ^ "The Lake - Show Info". TheWB.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2009.
  9. ^ "Vanessa Redgrave to star in BBC's The Day of the Triffids". The Daily Telegraph. London. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
  10. ^ "Goodnight for Justice (TV 2011)". imdb.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  11. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (July 11, 2011). "Psych Pscoop: Jennifer Finnigan Cast as Bonnie to Jason Priestley's Clyde". TVLine.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  12. ^ "Jason Priestley to Star in David Mamet's 'Race' on Toronto Stage Archived January 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. The Hollywood Reporter, April 7, 2013.
  13. ^ Wong, Tony (May 24, 2016). "Jason Priestley Turns Detective in Private Eyes". The Toronto Star. Toronto Star Newspapers. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  14. ^ "Darryl Sittler, Jason Priestley Among 2016 Walk of Fame Inductees". The Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press. August 23, 2016. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  15. ^ a b "B.C. Players mostly on small screen in Canadian Screen Award nominations".
  16. ^ "Jason Priestley's Close Call". ABC News. January 6, 2006. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  17. ^ "Jason Priestley: First Look at My Daughter "Took My Breath Away"". US Magazine. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
  18. ^ Ritti, Missy (April 13, 2009). "Jason and Naomi Priestley Expecting Baby No. 2". People. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  19. ^ Ritti, Missy (July 10, 2009). "Jason Priestley and His Wife Welcome a Boy". People. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  20. ^ "Tim Hortons, Jason Priestley and the doughnut mash-up you have to see". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  21. ^ Priestley, Jason (May 6, 2014). Jason Priestley: A Memoir. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0062357892. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  22. ^ Feature on Jason Priestly Racing 1995 Cobra R Mustang, 1996, archived from the original on January 3, 2016, retrieved November 7, 2015
  23. ^ "Jason Priestley (CDN) - Complete Archive - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  24. ^ "Motorola Cup". Autocourse.ca. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  25. ^ Fink, Pete (March 4, 2008). "Papis wieder beim Indy 500". Motorsport-Total.com (in German). Archived from the original on December 24, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  26. ^ Herman, Steve. Actor Jason Priestley to become joint owner in new IRL race team[dead link], Associated Press, January 21, 2008
  27. ^ "Jason Priestley - Beverly Hills 90210". canada.com. Postmedia Network, Inc. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008.
  28. ^ "Barenaked Ladies Biography on Yahoo! Music". yahoo.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  29. ^ Joslyn, Heather (September 27, 2000). "Barenaked in America". Baltimore City Paper. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008.
  30. ^ "Chicks with Sticks". Northernstars. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Independent Visual and Digital Media Association. June 30, 2016. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
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