James Pickens, Jr.

James Pickens, Jr. (born October 26, 1954) is an American actor notable for his starring role as Dr. Richard Webber on the ABC drama television series Grey's Anatomy and also for his supporting role as Deputy Director Alvin Kersh on later seasons of The X-Files. Pickens was born in Cleveland, Ohio and did not begin acting until he was a student at Bowling Green State University. His first acting role was in a campus production of Matters of Choic... more

James Pickens, Jr. (born October 26, 1954) is an American actor notable for his starring role as Dr. Richard Webber on the ABC drama television series Grey's Anatomy and also for his supporting role as Deputy Director Alvin Kersh on later seasons of The X-Files. Pickens was born in Cleveland, Ohio and did not begin acting until he was a student at Bowling Green State University. His first acting role was in a campus production of Matters of Choice by Chuck Gordone. Pickens earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from BGSU in 1976. Pickens started his acting career at the Roundabout Theatre in New York playing Walter Lee in A Raisin in the Sun. In 1981, Pickens performed in the Negro Ensemble Company's production of A Soldier's Play, starring alongside Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. In 1990, Pickens moved to the West Coast and began his Hollywood career playing Zack Edwards on the soap opera Another World from 1986 to 1990. He went on to have recurring roles on Curb Your... less