Neal Jones Explained

Neal Jones
Birth Name:Neal Jones
Birth Place:Wichita, Kansas, United States
Nationality:American
Occupation:Actor
Yearsactive:1983–2010
Spouse:Jamie

Neal Jones (born January 2, 1960) is an American stage, film, and television actor. He is best known for his role as Billy Kostecki in Dirty Dancing.

Early life and education

Neal Jones was born on January 2, 1960, in Wichita, Kansas. Jones attended the Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Missouri.

Career

After attending the Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Jones moved to New York and began his professional career in Nicol Williamson's production of Macbeth at the Circle in the Square. This was followed by The Corn Is Green at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and the Tony Award-winning, Big River, at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.[1] He went on to appear in numerous New York stage productions, including Mike Leigh's Ecstasy and Tom Dulack's Diminished Capacity at The New Group,[2] [3] Kenneth Branagh's Public Enemy at the Irish Arts Center,[4] and The Great Lakes Theater Festival’s world premiere of Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales in Cleveland, Ohio, directed by Clifford Williams. As a director he staged the world premiere of Celtic Tiger (Me Arse) by Don Creedon, and the New York premiere of Joseph O'Connor's Red Roses and Petrol, both at the Irish Arts Center in New York, where he has also served as Artistic Director.[5] [6] He is a member of the Actors Studio.

His first film appearance was in Dirty Dancing, followed by more than 25 films, including Taylor Hackford's The Devil's Advocate (one of four films in which he appears with Al Pacino), In America and G.I. Jane. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2008 Malibu International Film Festival for his role in the independent film Mona.[7]

Jones also has appeared in several television series, including The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Law & Order, and Criminal Minds (as Karl Arnold aka The Fox).[8] He appeared in seven episodes of the FX series Rescue Me as Peter Reilly, the gay son of Chief Jerry Reilly. Jones's work in Generation Kill was singled out for praise by reviewers Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe and Alan Sepinwall of the Star-Ledger.[9] [10]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1987Dirty DancingBilly Kostecki
1992Glengarry Glen RossMan in Donut Shop
1993Romeo Is BleedingClerk
1996Looking for RichardMessenger
RatchetSam Leary
1997Silent PreyKevin O'Neilla.k.a. Silent Predator
Sax and Violins
G.I. JaneDuty Officer
The Devil's AdvocateLarry - Florida Reporter
1998Day at the BeachChuck Hanson
Come ToBiker 1short film
The SiegeNYPD Representative
2000Chinese CoffeeEteocles/Actor in play
2001Queenie in LoveDoctor
Way Off BroadwayMr. Scott
2002BridgetHawks Anwalt
Changing LanesNewsroom Writer
In AmericaImmigration Officer #1
2003Beautiful Kiddirect-to-video release
2004Zombie HoneymoonOfficer Carp
2005Game 6Yessiree Bob
2006The House Is BurningSheriff
2008MonaJohnNominated—2008 Malibu International Film Festival,
Best Supporting Actor
2009Carbone's BirthdayPachenkoshort film
2010HeterosexualsBarry

Television

YearSeriesEpisode(s)Role
1989Monsters"Taps"Gary Gregory
1991Law & Order"Misconception"Ray
1995Law & Order"Privileged"Bill D.
1998Law & Order"Bad Girl"Mr. Flynn
1999Sex and the City"The Awful Truth"Richard
2000Third Watch"Demolition Derby"Brian
2001The Sopranos"Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood"Agent Tancredi
2004The Jury"The Honeymoon Suite"Kevin Sykes
Rescue Me"Kansas", "Orphans"Peter Reilly
2005"Sensitivity", "Reunion", "Shame", "Believe", "Brains"
Criminal Minds"The Fox"Karl Arnold a.k.a. The Fox
2006"Maltese Cross", "Weeping Willow"Chief of Detectives Bradshaw
2007"Flipped"
Crossing Jordan"Seven Feet Under"Russell Berman
2008Generation KillSeven episodes—complete seriesSgt. Maj. John Sixta
2009Law & Order"Take-out"Alex Boone
Criminal Minds"Outfoxed"Karl Arnold a.k.a. The Fox

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Neal Jones. Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. July 25, 2010.
  2. Book: Theatre World. Willis. John. 52: 1995-1996. 1996. 9781557833235. 111 . July 25, 2010.
  3. News: Theater in Review. Van Gelder, Lawrence. The New York Times. June 24, 1993. Review of Diminished Capacity. May require subscription; accessible in Googel cache. July 25, 2010.
  4. News: Public Enemy. Evans, Greg. Variety. November 9, 1994. Theater review. July 25, 2010.
  5. News: Theater Review: 'Celtic Tiger' a wild ride that knocks you on yer.... Hurley, Joseph. The Irish Echo. October 6, 1999. Review archived at seanpower.utvinternet.com. July 25, 2010. dead. https://archive.today/20120909095421/http://www.seanpower.utvinternet.com/sp/rv_19991006_01.htm. September 9, 2012.
  6. News: Theater Review: The Troubles Are All in the Family. Hampton, Wilborn. The New York Times. November 8, 2000. Review of Red Roses and Petrol. July 25, 2010.
  7. Web site: Malibu International Film Festival 2008 Nominations. Malibu Film Festival. July 25, 2010.
  8. Web site: Neal Jones. Internet Movie Database (IMDb). IMDb.com, Inc.. July 25, 2010.
  9. Web site: 'Generation Kill': Confused Yet?. Gilbert, Matthew. July 14, 2008. Boston.com. The Boston Globe/The NY Times Co.. July 25, 2010.
  10. Web site: Generation Kill, "Get Some": Po-lice that moo-stash!!!!. Sepinwall, Alan. July 14, 2008. NJ.com / The Star-Ledger. New Jersey On-Line LLC. July 25, 2010.