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Billy Wirth
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Billy Wirth (born June 23, 1962) is an American Hollywood actor, film producer, and former fashion model, best known for his role as the vampire, Dwayne in the 1987 horror film, The Lost Boys.
Key Information
Life and career
[edit]Nicknamed "Billy", he was born William E. Wirth on June 23, 1962 in New York City, in the United States. He was the son of Morris A. Wirth an American who was of Russian and Jewish background, who worked as a lawyer, while his mother Jean Wirth was a visual artist. His mother Jean, who was born in the state of Iowa, is of Anglo-American and Native American[1] heritage.
Wirth was a student at Collegiate School (New York), where he was a classmate of musician John Hermann,[2] and attended Brown University where he was discovered by fashion model photographer Bruce Weber, and soon began a modeling career. He modeled for American and European fashion magazines such as Seventeen, GQ, Interview, Teen magazines and took part in fashion show events in the 1980s. Wirth originally worked as a fashion model until he gave up on fashion and turned to Hollywood acting.
Wirth moved to Los Angeles, California in the mid 1980s to pursue an acting career, which began with a role in the 1985 feature film, Seven Minutes in Heaven. His performance as Dwayne in The Lost Boys followed, and he landed a starring role in the 1988 film War Party.
Wirth continued modeling combining it with acting, until he walked away from the fashion industry in the early 1990s, to dedicate his time to full-time acting. In the 1990s he appeared in both film and television, appearing in Abel Ferrara's 1993 film Body Snatchers as well as Sex and the City and CSI. He took part in the global-hit television game show American Gladiators, competing during the series' first season in 1989 and advancing to the first-half semi-finals before failing to win the title.[3]
He also appeared in the official Electric Crown music video by the American heavy metal band, Testament in 1992.
He also starred in Charmed as the warlock, Matthew Tate. Since 1999, besides acting in films, he has been writing, directing, and producing independent films. His most notable film directing was MacArthur Park in 2001.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Seven Minutes in Heaven | "Zoo" Knudsen | |
| 1987 | The Lost Boys | Dwayne | |
| 1988 | War Party | Sonny Crowkiller | |
| 1992 | Who Killed the Baby Jesus | Travis Adams | |
| 1993 | Body Snatchers | Tim Young | |
| 1994 | The Fence | Terry Griff | |
| 1994 | Judicial Consent | Martin | |
| 1994 | Final Mission | Tom "Outlaw" Waters | Video |
| 1995 | Venus Rising | Nick | |
| 1995 | Boys on the Side | Nick | |
| 1996 | Starlight | Kieran | |
| 1996 | Space Marines | Zack Delano | |
| 1997 | Last Lives | Malakai | |
| 1998 | Relax... It's Just Sex | Jared Bartoziak | |
| 1999 | Kismet | Fantasy Guy | Short. Director |
| 1999 | Me and Will | Charlie | |
| 2001 | American Reunion | Brad | |
| 2002 | Looking for Jimmy | Billy | |
| 2004 | The Talent Given Us | Billy | |
| 2004 | The Drone Virus | Stephen Roland | |
| 2006 | Seven Mummies | Travis | |
| 2006 | Running Out of Time in Hollywood | Billy | |
| 2009 | Powder Blue | David | |
| 2009 | Duress | The Detective | |
| 2012 | Being Flynn | Travis | |
| 2014 | Echoes | Joe | |
| 2015 | Cats Dancing on Jupiter | Oleg | |
| 2015 | Midlife | Brian | |
| 2015 | Alto | Ceasar Bellafusco | |
| 2018 | Betrayed | Mike Wolf | |
| 2019 | Hell to Pay | Killian | Short film |
| 2019 | Eternal Code | Mark Pellegrini |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Equalizer | Ralph | Episode: "Mama's Boy" |
| 1986 | The Ellen Burstyn Show | Johnny | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1987 | Nothing in Common | Joey D. | |
| 1989 | American Gladiators | Contestant / Himself | 3 episodes |
| 1989 | Wiseguy | Eddie Tempest | Episodes: "The Rip-Off Stick", "High Dollar Bop", "Hip Hop on the Gravy Train" |
| 1990 | Parker Kane | Jesse | TV movie |
| 1991 | Tales from the Crypt | Ted Morgan | Episode: "Split Second" |
| 1992 | Crow's Nest | Tommy Crosetti | TV movie |
| 1992 | Red Shoe Diaries | Thomas K. Butler, The Workman | TV movie |
| 1995 | Children of the Dust | Corby / White Wolf | TV movie |
| 1998 | Martial Law | Kevin Seidel | Episode: "Extreme Measures" |
| 1998 | Charmed | Matthew Tate | Episode: "The Witch Is Back" |
| 2000 | Sex and the City | Dr. Mark Raskin | Episode: "Drama Queens" |
| 2004 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Aaron Westonson | Episode: "Eleven Angry Jurors" |
| 2005 | Summerland | Garrett | Episode: "The Wisdom to Know the Difference" |
| 2011 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Billy Gray | Episode: "To the Boy in the Blue Knit Cap" |
| 2014 | Chicago PD | Charlie Pugliese | Season 1 Episode 13, 14, & 15 |
| 2015 | Scorpion | Mark Willis | Episode: "Area 51" |
| 2018 | Space Diner Tales | Souldbird | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2019 | Godfather of Harlem | Detective Kramer | Episode: "The Nitty Gritty" |
Awards
[edit]| Year | Award | Category/Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Grand Jury Prize | Dramatic for: MacArthur Park | Nominated |
- Taos Talking Picture Festival
| Year | Award | Category/Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Taos Land Grant Award | for: MacArthur Park | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "The Fight Over 'War Party'". L.A. Times. 7 October 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ The Dutchman (the Collegiate School yearbook), 1975 edition, page 33
- ^ Murray, Noel (June 25, 2015). "American Gladiators gave misfit athletes a second chance to be champions". The A.V. Club.
External links
[edit]
Billy Wirth
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Early life and education
Family background
Billy Wirth was born William Edward Wirth on June 23, 1962, in New York City, New York.[10] He is the middle son of Morris A. Wirth, a lawyer born in New York of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, and Jean Wirth, an artist born in Iowa.[11][10][12] Wirth's paternal grandparents, Louis Wirth and Esther Weinraub, were Russian Jewish immigrants, while his maternal grandparents were Edward Charles Collier and Marguerite Potter, contributing to his mother's English, Scottish, and Irish heritage.[10][13] He has two brothers, Bobby and John, with whom he shared a close family environment shaped by his parents' professions.[12] His mother's artistic background provided early exposure to creative pursuits that later influenced Wirth's own interests in visual arts.[11]Schooling and early interests
Billy Wirth was raised on Park Avenue in New York City. He attended the Collegiate School in Manhattan, where he was a classmate of musician John "JoJo" Hermann of the band Widespread Panic.[14][3] Wirth enrolled at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating in 1984.[2][3] As an Ivy League athlete, he competed in track and field for the Brown Bears, setting a school record in the high jump at 6 feet 10 inches.[3] He viewed sports as his initial outlet for creativity, emphasizing the discipline and passion shared with artistic pursuits.[3] During his high school and college years, Wirth developed early interests in theater, music, and the arts, influenced briefly by his family's artistic background, including his mother Jean, an artist.[10] He began exploring acting in his junior year at Brown, alongside songwriting, rapping, and writing screenplays.[3] While at the university, Wirth was discovered by renowned photographer Bruce Weber, which sparked his initial forays into modeling opportunities.[14]Career
Modeling career
While attending Brown University, Billy Wirth was discovered by photographer Bruce Weber and began a modeling career in New York City during the mid-1980s, leveraging his athletic physique developed from competing on the university's track team.[15][6] Wirth quickly gained prominence, appearing in major publications such as Seventeen, GQ, and Interview, as well as various teen magazines that highlighted his striking features and versatile look.[16] His collaborations with influential photographers like Weber helped establish him as one of the top male models of the era, contributing to a polished public image that blended sophistication with an approachable allure.[3] Additionally, he featured in his first commercial for Diet Pepsi, marking an early foray into advertising that showcased his on-camera presence.[16] Wirth's modeling phase, spanning the mid-1980s, provided a foundational period of visibility and professional experience in the entertainment world, allowing him to build a network and financial footing before shifting focus.[16] This era not only honed his skills in front of the camera but also paved the way for his entry into commercial acting gigs by the mid-1980s, as opportunities in print and advertising naturally extended to on-screen work.[3]Acting breakthrough
Billy Wirth made his film debut in the 1985 teen comedy-drama Seven Minutes in Heaven, directed by Linda Feferman, where he portrayed Zoo Knudsen, a baseball player from New York who becomes a romantic interest for one of the protagonists.[17] This supporting role marked his entry into acting following a brief stint in modeling that had given him initial visibility in entertainment circles.[15] Wirth's breakthrough came with his portrayal of Dwayne, the strong and silent second-in-command vampire in Joel Schumacher's 1987 horror film The Lost Boys. As Dwayne, Wirth embodied a brooding, loyal enforcer in the vampire gang led by Kiefer Sutherland's David, characterized by minimal dialogue, intense stares, and a rugged biker aesthetic that amplified the film's blend of teen rebellion and supernatural horror.[18] During filming in Santa Cruz, California, Wirth and co-star Alex Winter adopted a nocturnal schedule to match the vampires' lifestyle, contributing to a lively set atmosphere filled with pranks and camaraderie among the young cast, including incidents like impromptu beach antics that nearly disrupted production.[19] The film became a cult classic, grossing over $32 million at the box office and influencing vampire portrayals in popular culture by infusing the genre with 1980s youth allure and rock 'n' roll energy, with Wirth's Dwayne often cited as an iconic figure of cool, enigmatic menace.[20] Following The Lost Boys, Wirth starred in the leading role of Sonny in War Party (1989), portraying a young Blackfeet Indian navigating racial tensions in Montana.[5] Wirth navigated typecasting as a brooding heartthrob by transitioning to more diverse and mature roles in the 1990s, though he faced challenges in escaping the vampire archetype amid fluctuating Hollywood opportunities. In Abel Ferrara's 1993 sci-fi horror Body Snatchers, he played Tim Young, a helicopter pilot entangled in an alien invasion at a military base, showcasing a grounded, heroic intensity distinct from supernatural fare.[21] He then appeared as the abusive drug dealer Nick in the 1995 road-trip drama Boys on the Side, opposite Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker, and Drew Barrymore, delivering a raw performance that highlighted his range in exploring toxic masculinity and emotional depth.[22] Later in the decade, Wirth starred as Kieran MacArthur, a half-alien hybrid in the 1996 sci-fi adventure Starlight, and as the telepathic antagonist Malakai in the 1997 thriller Last Lives, roles that further demonstrated his shift toward complex, otherworldly yet humanized characters in lower-budget productions.Directing and producing
Billy Wirth transitioned from acting to filmmaking in the late 1990s, motivated by a desire to explore independent cinema and address social issues through storytelling. After over a decade in front of the camera, he began honing his skills behind it, emphasizing authentic narratives in low-budget productions.[14] Wirth made his directorial debut with the short film Kismet in 1999, which he directed and in which he appeared as a character known as the "Fantasy Guy." The film follows Stephanie, a 30-year-old woman who receives a marriage proposal from her successful fiancé and grapples with whether he embodies her ideal partner, blending romance and introspection. Produced by Maggie Abbott and Sheri Sussman on a modest independent budget, Kismet received positive reception, earning an 8.8/10 rating on IMDb from viewer votes, though it did not secure major festival screenings.[23][24][25] In 2001, Wirth expanded to feature-length work with MacArthur Park, for which he served as writer (co-credited with Tyrone Atkins, Aaron Courseault, and Sheri Sussman), director, and producer. This independent drama, shot on Super 16mm film, centers on an ensemble of crack-addicted homeless individuals in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park over a 24-hour period, exploring themes of addiction, survival, redemption, and familial reconnection through the story of a father seeking his estranged son. Inspired by Wirth's longstanding interest in homelessness, the project was filmed on location with a small crew to capture raw authenticity. It premiered in the Dramatic Competition at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize, and also screened at the Taos Talking Picture Festival (nominated for the Land Grant Award) and the Seattle International Film Festival's Black Experience in Films program. Critics praised its gritty realism and strong characterizations, with Variety describing it as a "stirring portrait" of urban underbelly life, though some noted its familiar tropes in street dramas; it holds a 6.1/10 IMDb rating.[26][9][27][28] Beyond these directorial efforts, Wirth has taken on producing roles in various independent projects, often collaborating with emerging filmmakers on socially conscious or character-driven stories. Notable credits include executive producer on the short Nowhere to Go (2020), which addresses themes of isolation and resilience; associate producer on the biographical drama Man of God (2021), focusing on a historical figure's spiritual journey; and associate producer on the family-oriented Dylan & Zoey (2022). These contributions reflect his ongoing commitment to supporting indie cinema, with additional writing involvement limited primarily to MacArthur Park. Drawing briefly from his acting background in ensemble casts, Wirth's producing style prioritizes collaborative, intimate productions that amplify underrepresented voices.[6][29][30][31]Later acting roles
In the 2000s, Billy Wirth continued his acting career with roles in independent films, including the horror-western Seven Mummies (2006), where he portrayed Travis, a convict navigating supernatural dangers in a deserted town alongside a group of escaped prisoners.[32] The film, directed by Nick Quested, featured a cast including Billy Drago and Danny Trejo, emphasizing gritty survival themes in a low-budget production.[33] Later that decade, Wirth appeared as David in Powder Blue (2009), a Christmas-set ensemble drama directed by Timothy Linh Bui, which explored interconnected lives in Los Angeles and starred Jessica Biel and Eddie Redmayne.[34] Wirth's work extended into the early 2010s with the role of Travis in Being Flynn (2012), a semi-autobiographical drama adapted from Nick Flynn's memoir and directed by Paul Weitz, featuring Robert De Niro as a troubled father figure in a story of family dysfunction and redemption.[35] In the late 2010s and 2020s, Wirth took on supporting roles in thrillers and crime dramas, such as Mark Pellegrini in Eternal Code (2019), a sci-fi film about mind-transfer technology and corporate intrigue, directed by Harley Wallen and co-starring Scout Taylor-Compton.[36] He also guest-starred as Detective Kramer in the episode "The Nitty Gritty" of the Epix series Godfather of Harlem (2019), portraying a law enforcement figure in the historical crime narrative led by Forest Whitaker.[37] More recently, in 2024, Wirth played Dale Fogerty, the patriarch of a rival family, in The Ghost Trap, a Maine-set thriller directed by James Khanlarian, which delves into lobster industry turf wars and personal conflicts, with co-stars including Greer Grammer and Xander Berkeley.[38] He also appeared as Ash in the short Western Ashes (2024), which premiered at film festivals including the Golden Door Film Festival in June 2025.[8] Wirth's later roles reflect a sustained focus on independent cinema, particularly in horror and thriller genres, as seen in projects like Seven Mummies and Eternal Code, underscoring his adaptability and longevity in character-driven, genre-specific narratives.[1] His directing background has informed selective acting choices, allowing balance with creative endeavors in film production and music.[39]Other pursuits
Music endeavors
In the early 1990s, Billy Wirth served as the frontman and lead vocalist for the Los Angeles-based rock band Dust N'Bones, performing at local venues including the Rubber Club in Hollywood.[40] The band featured Wirth alongside musicians such as guitarist Greg Durshlag and bassist Greg Souviron, with notable appearances drawing celebrity attendees like Mickey Rourke.[41] Wirth has maintained an ongoing involvement with the rock band The Cronies, which he co-founded in the early 1990s with musician Stephen Costantino.[41] The group continues to write songs, perform occasionally, and work on recordings, including an acoustic album featuring original material.[42] Their music blends rock influences, reflecting Wirth's sustained passion for the genre as a creative outlet beyond his acting career.[43] Wirth has made appearances in music videos that highlight his musical interests. In 1992, he featured as an actor in Testament's "Electric Crown" video from the album The Ritual, portraying a dramatic role amid the thrash metal band's performance footage.[44] More recently, in 2023, Wirth provided vocals and appeared in the music video for Natasha Kitty Katt's "Batt Danse," a Halloween-themed electronic track from the Batt Danse EP that incorporates synthwave elements and vampire motifs.[45]Visual arts
Billy Wirth maintains an active practice as a visual artist, complementing his work in film and music with a parallel creative outlet focused on personal expression. His artwork has been exhibited in multiple galleries across California, reflecting themes drawn from personal experiences. Wirth launched his own online art gallery to share and sell his pieces directly with audiences.[16]Filmography
Film roles
Billy Wirth began his film career in the mid-1980s and has appeared in a variety of genres, including horror, drama, and independent cinema. His roles often portray brooding or intense characters, with notable credits spanning from teen comedies to sci-fi thrillers.| Year | Title | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Seven Minutes in Heaven | Zoo Knudsen | Wirth plays a charismatic teen navigating romantic rivalries and family dynamics during a lakeside weekend getaway in this coming-of-age comedy. |
| 1987 | The Lost Boys | Dwayne | As the silent, leather-clad vampire second-in-command, Wirth's character is part of a gang preying on newcomers in a foggy California beach town, marking his breakthrough in this cult horror classic. [46] |
| 1988 | War Party | Sonny Crowkiller | Wirth portrays a young Native American man whose historical reenactment turns deadly when old grudges resurface in this action-drama about cultural conflict. [47] |
| 1992 | Who Killed the Baby Jesus | Travis Adams | In this dark comedy-thriller, Wirth's drifter character gets entangled in a bizarre murder mystery during the holidays in a small town. [48] |
| 1993 | Body Snatchers | Tim Young | Wirth appears as a military helicopter pilot aiding a family against an alien invasion that duplicates humans at a remote base in this sci-fi horror remake. [49] |
| 1995 | Boys on the Side | Nick | Wirth plays the supportive boyfriend to one of the leads in this road-trip drama following three women dealing with friendship, loss, and HIV in the 1990s. |
| 1996 | Starlight | Kieran | As a mysterious outsider, Wirth's role involves interstellar intrigue and romance in this low-budget sci-fi adventure about a woman encountering aliens. |
| 1996 | Space Marines | Zack Delano | Wirth stars as a tough space soldier leading a rescue mission against hijackers on a prison satellite in this direct-to-video action sci-fi film. |
| 1997 | Last Lives | Malakai | In this supernatural thriller, Wirth's immortal assassin character hunts others like him while grappling with his cursed existence across lifetimes. |
| 1998 | Relax... It's Just Sex | Jared Bartoziak | Wirth portrays a gay man navigating relationships and the AIDS crisis among friends in this ensemble comedy-drama set in Los Angeles. |
| 2001 | MacArthur Park | E-Max | Wirth not only stars as a resident leader in this gritty drama about drugs, violence, and survival in a South Central L.A. housing project but also directed, wrote, and produced the film. [26] |
| 2006 | Seven Mummies | Travis | Wirth plays a menacing outlaw escorting prisoners through a haunted desert in this horror-Western about escaped convicts facing supernatural threats. |
| 2009 | Powder Blue | David | Wirth's character is a gambler entangled with a stripper and others in Las Vegas in this ensemble drama exploring desperation and redemption. |
| 2012 | Being Flynn | Travis | As a homeless shelter worker, Wirth supports the story of a young man confronting his alcoholic father's decline in this adaptation of Nick Flynn's memoir. |
| 2019 | Eternal Code | Mark Pellegrini | Wirth plays a tech innovator racing to stop a dangerous AI takeover in this sci-fi thriller, where he also served as a producer. |
| 2024 | Ashes | Bounty Hunter | In this short Western set in 1867 California, Wirth portrays a relentless bounty hunter who captures an unlikely female outlaw. [8] |
| 2024 | The Ghost Trap | Dale Fogerty | In this supernatural drama, Wirth portrays a haunted lobsterman confronting past traumas on the Maine coast amid ghostly occurrences. |
Television roles
Wirth began his television career with a guest appearance on the CBS crime drama The Equalizer in 1985, portraying Ralph, a troubled young man involved in drug smuggling, in the episode "Mama's Boy."[50] In 1991, Wirth guest-starred on HBO's anthology horror series Tales from the Crypt as Ted, a lumberjack entangled in a deadly affair, in the episode "Split Second."[51] The next year, he starred in the Showtime erotic thriller TV film Red Shoe Diaries (1992) as Thomas K. Butler, a mysterious workman central to the story's romantic intrigue.[52] Wirth appeared in science fiction and Western miniseries during the mid-1990s, including a minor role as Gambler #1 in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Babel" (1993) and the lead role of Corby / White Wolf, a half-Native American gunslinger, in the CBS miniseries Children of the Dust (1995).[53] Transitioning to more supernatural fare, he played the power-hungry warlock Matthew Tate in the season 1 episode "The Witch Is Back" of The WB's Charmed (1998). That same year, he guest-starred as Kevin Seidel, a martial artist, in the episode "Extreme Measures" of CBS's Martial Law. Into the 2000s, Wirth's roles spanned genres: Dr. Mark Raskin, a brief love interest, in the Sex and the City episode "Drama Queens" (2000); Kyle Cameron in an episode of CBS's Walker, Texas Ranger (2000); Billy Gray in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001); and Aaron Westonson, a juror, in the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode "Eleven Angry Jurors" (2004). In later years, he continued with procedural guest spots, including Charlie Pugliese on NBC's Chicago P.D. (2014), Mark Willis on CBS's Scorpion (2015), and Detective Kramer, investigating organized crime, in the season 1 episode "The Nitty Gritty" of Epix's Godfather of Harlem (2019). Wirth's television appearances have largely consisted of guest-starring and one-off roles across drama, horror, sci-fi, and procedural series, showcasing his versatility without extended recurring commitments.Awards and nominations
| Year | Festival | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Malibu Film Festival | Audience Award | Best Short Film | Kismet (director) | Won[54] |
| 1999 | Palm Springs International ShortFest | Best Live Action Short | Over 15 minutes | Kismet (director) | Nominated[54] |
| 2001 | Sundance Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize | Dramatic | MacArthur Park (director) | Nominated[55] |
| 2001 | Taos Talking Picture Festival | Taos Land Grant Award | Feature film | MacArthur Park (director) | Nominated[55] |