Bill Heck Explained

Bill Heck
Birth Date:September 26, 1978 (age 45)
Birth Place:Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Years Active:2007–present

Bill Heck is an American actor who has appeared on Broadway and in television shows, such as The Leftovers and The Old Man, and films, including in the role of Billy Knapp in the Coen Brothers' western The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Early life and education

Heck was born in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to Libertyville, Illinois as a child. He graduated from the University of Evansville in Indiana and went to New York University to gain a graduate degree in acting.[1]

Career

Heck took his first Broadway leading role in the Cabaret revival in 2014. Off-Broadway, Heck starred in Horton Foote's epic The Orphans' Home Cycle, Angels in America with Buster Scruggs co-star Zoe Kazan, as well as Water by the Spoonful.[2] [3] [4]

On television, Heck had a guest role in The Alienist[5] and appeared in The Leftovers.[6]

At L.A. Outfest in 2013, Heck won the Grand Jury Award for Best Actor for his role in Pit Stop.[7]

Heck appeared as Billy Knapp in the vignette "The Gal Who Got Rattled", one of six separate stories of the American Wild West in the Coen Brothers-directed The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.[8] [9] To prepare for the role, Heck read by Rinker Buck.[10]

Personal life

Heck married Broadway co-star Maggie Lacey in 2011.[11]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010NonamesSimon
2013Pit StopGabe
2014The Amazing Spider-Man 2G-5 Co-Pilot/Karl Fiers/The Finisher
2016After AdderallGerard
20181985Dancer
2018The Ballad of Buster ScruggsBilly KnappSegment: "The Gal Who Got Rattled"
2020Small Town WisconsinChuck
2020I'm Your WomanEddie
2024Hold Your BreathPost-production

Television

YearShowRoleNotes
2007NumbersBarista1 episode
2007NCISCory Mitas1 episode
2007Brett Dohn1 episode
2007The CloserWesley ReedEpisodes: "Next of Kin: Parts 1 & 2"
2008MediumDavid Draper1 episode
2009Without a TraceJonah Westfield1 episode
2009The UnitPhilip1 episode
2011The Big CMike1 episode
2011–2012Pan AmGraham2 episodes
2012Person of InterestRick Morris1 episode
2012ElementaryTy Morstan1 episode
2014Taxi BrooklynGregg JamesMain role
2015The AmericansNeil2 episodes
2015Mercy StreetPhilip Starks2 episodes
2014–2015The LeftoversDarren3 episodes (seasons 1–2)
2016Feed the BeastDante DiPaolo1 episode
2017Sleepy HollowMitch Talbot1 episode
2018InstinctRoman Cecchino1 episode
2018The AlienistBeecham3 episodes (season 1)
2019Bluff City LawCampbell Mathers1 episode
2019Ray DonovanYoung Mickey DonovanEpisode: "The Transfer Agent"
2020Little AmericaJack1 episode
2020Locke & KeyRendell LockeRecurring role (seasons 1–3)
2021I Know What You Did Last Summer Bruce GrantMain role
2022Young Mickey DonovanTelevision film
2022The Old ManYoung Dan ChaseMain role[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Orphans Star Bill Heck Finds a Home in Horton Foote's Masterpiece. Broadway.com.
  2. Web site: Bill Heck Biography. Broadway.com.
  3. Web site: Bill Heck Theatre Credits. Broadwayworld.com.
  4. Web site: How a heartbreaking romance is the key to unlocking 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs'. 15 November 2018. Newsweek.com.
  5. Web site: How does Sara and Dr. Kreizler know to chase the killer to the Croton Reservoir in 'The Alienist' finale?. 26 March 2018. Newsweek.com.
  6. Web site: 'The Leftovers' Recap: Episode 2 – Tom Gets A Mission, Kevin's Sanity Is Questioned - Access Online. Accessonline.com. 6 July 2014 .
  7. Web site: Outfest Los Angeles announces 2013 award winners. Jessica. Gelt. Los Angeles Times. 21 July 2013 .
  8. Web site: 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' Review: The Coens' Old West anthology – Variety . 2018-11-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129183902/https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/the-ballad-of-buster-scruggs-review-the-coen-brothers-1202923160/amp/ . 2018-11-29 . dead .
  9. Web site: Coen Brothers Buster Scruggs Was Meant to Be a Movie, Not a TV Series. Hollywoodreporter.com. 18 November 2018 .
  10. Web site: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: Zoe Kazan and Bill Heck talk Oregon trail and Coen Brothers - Films - Entertainment. Express.co.uk.
  11. Web site: Bill Heck & wife Maggie Lacey attending the Second Stage Theatre.... Gettyimages.co.uk.
  12. Web site: Nellie Andreeva . Gbenga Akinnagbe To Star In 'The Old Man; Bill Heck Joins FX on Hulu Series In Recasting . Deadline Hollywood . March 6, 2020 . June 20, 2022.