Justin Pierce

Infobox actor
bgcolour = silver
name =Justin Pierce

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imagesize =
caption =
birthdate = birth date|1975|03|21|mf=y
location = London, England
deathdate = death date and age|2000|07|14|1975|03|21
deathplace = Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
spouse = Gina Rizzo (1999-2000)
birthname = Justin Charles Pierce

Justin Charles Pierce (March 21, 1975 - July 14, 2000) was an English-American actor and professional skateboarder.

Biography

Early life

Born in London, England to a Welsh mother and an American father, Pierce was raised in the Marble Hill section of The Bronx in New York. He attended P.S. 7 in the Bronx for Elementary School and J.H.S. 141 in the Riverdale section of the Bronx for Junior High School. Pierce's parents divorced when he was 15. After his parent's 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.cite news|last=Davis| first=Peter| title=Justin Pierce: The Lost Boy | publisher = Papermag.com | date =2000-11-01 | url =http://www.papermag.com/?section=article&parid=192 | accessdate =2007-11-14]

Career

While skateboarding in Washington Square Park, Pierce was discovered by film director Larry Clark. Clark then cast him in his controversial 1995 film "Kids". After the success of "Kids", Pierce won an Independent Spirit Award for his portrayal of Casper, the foul-mouthed skater punk friend of main character, Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), and relocated to Los Angeles. Pierce would go on to appear in the 1997 film "A Brother's Kiss" with John Leguizamo and Rosie Perez. Pierce also appeared in television movies including 1997's "First Time Felon", and the sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle". He also had a role in the motion picture "Next Friday". [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0682399/ IMDb credits] ]

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. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0193545/crazycredits "Looking for Leonard" credits/dedications] ]

Personal life

In 1999, Pierce married stylist Gina Rizzo in Las Vegas.

Death

On July 14, 2000, Pierce was found hanging in his Las Vegas hotel room at the Bellagio by hotel security. [cite news|title= Justin Pierce, 25; Starred in 'Kids' | publisher = "The New York Times" | date =2000-07-13 | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03EFD81E38F930A25754C0A9669C8B63&sec=&spon= | accessdate =2007-11-14] Two suicide notes were found at the scene. [cite news|title=Actor Justin Pierce hangs self in Las Vegas hotel | publisher = Reuters | date =2000-11-01 | url =http://www.papermag.com/?section=article&parid=192 | accessdate =2007-11-14] Pierce, a Los Angeles resident had apparently been in Las Vegas to do a photo shoot for a fashion company.

On July 15, 2000, a Catholic service for Pierce was held at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Manhattan's Little Italy.

Filmography

*"Kids" (1995)
*"A Brother's Kiss" (1997)
*"Wild Horses" (1998)
*"Myth America" (1998)
*"Freak Weather" (1998)
*"Too Pure" (1998)
*"Out in Fifty" (1999)
*"Pigeonholed" (1999)
*"The Big Tease" (1999)
*"Next Friday" (2000)
*"King of the Jungle" (2000)
*"BlackMale" (2000)
*"Looking for Leonard" (2002)

Television

*"First Time Felon" (1997)
*"This Is How the World Ends" (1999)
*"Malcolm in the Middle" (2 episodes, 2000)

Awards

Independent Spirit Awards
*Won: Best Debut Performance, "Kids" (1996)

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0682399
*tv.com person|19066|Justin Pierce
*Find A Grave|id=7683848

Persondata
NAME= Pierce, Justin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Pierce, Justin Charles
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actor, professional skateboarder
DATE OF BIRTH= March 21, 1975
PLACE OF BIRTH= London, England
DATE OF DEATH= July 10, 2000
PLACE OF DEATH= Las Vegas, Nevada, USA