Justin Pierce
| Justin Pierce | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | Justin Charles Pierce March 21, 1975 London, England |
| Died | July 10, 2000 (aged 25) Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Suicide by hanging |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, skateboarder |
| Years active | &ndash ; |
| Spouse(s) | Gina Rizzo (m. 1999–2000) |
Justin Charles Pierce (March 21, 1975 – July 10, 2000) was an English-born American actor and skateboarder, known for his role in the 1995 feature film drama Kids.
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Early life [edit]
Pierce was born in London, England to a Welsh mother and an Australian father, Pierce was brought up in the Marble Hill section of New York City. Pierce's parents divorced when he was 15.[1]
After his parents' divorce, he began acting out by stealing cigarettes and food and skipping school in favor of skateboarding. Pierce soon quit school and moved out, staying in a basement of a building with fellow skaters. Pierce was later arrested for the possession of marijuana and heroin under his pants in a police road search.[1]
Career [edit]
While skateboarding in Washington Square Park, Pierce was discovered by film director Larry Clark, who cast him in his controversial 1995 film Kids.[1] After the success of Kids, Pierce won an Independent Spirit Award for his portrayal of Casper, the profane and very heavily drug-addicted skateboarder friend of Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), and relocated to Los Angeles.[1]
He would go on to appear in the 1997 film A Brother's Kiss as the young Nick Chinlund. Pierce also appeared in television movies including 1997's First Time Felon, and the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. He also starred alongside Ice Cube and Mike Epps in the motion picture Next Friday as Roach. Pierce's last on screen appearance was in the 2002 film Looking for Leonard, which was released after his death. The film was dedicated to his memory.
Personal life [edit]
In 1999, Pierce married stylist Gina Rizzo in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]
Death [edit]
On July 10, 2000, Pierce was discovered hanged in his room at the Bellagio Hotel by hotel security. His death was determined to be a suicide.[2][3] The following day, a Catholic memorial service for Pierce was held at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Manhattan's Little Italy.[1]
Filmography [edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Kids | Casper | |
| 1997 | A Brother's Kiss | Young Lex | |
| 1997 | First Time Felon | Eddie | Television film |
| 1998 | Wild Horses | Rookie | Alternative title: Lunch Time Special |
| 1998 | Myth America | ||
| 1998 | Freak Weather | Pizza Guy | |
| 1999 | Too Pure | Leo | |
| 1999 | Out in Fifty | Freddy | |
| 1999 | Pigeonholed | Devon | |
| 1999 | The Big Tease | Skateboard Kid | |
| 2000 | This Is How the World Ends | Zombie | Television film |
| 2000 | Next Friday | Roach | |
| 2000 | Malcolm in the Middle | Justin | 2 episodes |
| 2000 | King of the Jungle | Lil' Mafia | |
| 2000 | BlackMale | Luther Wright | Alternative title: Blackmail |
| 2002 | Looking for Leonard | Chevy | Released posthumously |
Awards [edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Title of work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Debut Performance | Kids | Won |
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Davis, Peter (October 1, 2000). "Justin Pierce: The Lost Boy". papermag.com. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ^ "Justin Pierce". Yahoo!. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ "Justin Pierce, 25; Starred in 'Kids'". The New York Times. 2000-07-13.
External links [edit]
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- 1975 births
- 2000 deaths
- 20th-century American actors
- 21st-century American actors
- Actors who committed suicide
- Actors from London
- Actors from New York City
- American film actors
- American people of English descent
- American people of Welsh descent
- American Roman Catholics
- American skateboarders
- American television actors
- English film actors
- English Roman Catholics
- English skateboarders
- English television actors
- People from the Bronx
- Sportspeople who committed suicide
- Suicides by hanging in Nevada
