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Eric Pierpoint
Eric Pierpoint
from Wikipedia

Eric Pierpoint (born November 18, 1950) is an American actor and writer. He is perhaps best known for his role as George Francisco on Fox Network's Alien Nation. He has also notably appeared on each of the first four Star Trek television spin-offs.

Key Information

Early life

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Pierpoint is the son of Patricia Adams Pierpoint and stepson of former CBS news White House correspondent Robert Pierpoint. He was born in Redlands, California, the middle of three children and lived there until age nine. His mother relocated to Washington, DC in 1959 upon marrying the elder Pierpoint, who legally adopted all three children. He graduated from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland and was on the wrestling, soccer, and tennis teams. He spent time accompanying his stepfather on news assignments during his teen years, often meeting high ranking US Government officials. He then attended the University of Redlands in Redlands, California, majoring in philosophy and receiving his Bachelor's Degree. He was captain of the soccer team, and took his first drama course as a senior and began his pursuit of acting after graduation.[1] He then attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received his Master's Degree in Fine Arts.[2]

Career

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Acting

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Pierpoint's onscreen career began in 1984, landing his first role in the film Windy City. Later that same year, he was cast in his first lead role in the short-lived television series Hot Pursuit, which was produced by Kenneth Johnson. He continued to appear in guest roles on TV series during the 1980s, including winning a recurring role on the sixth season of the popular show Fame. In 1989, he was again cast by Kenneth Johnson in another TV series, the television adaption of the 1988 film Alien Nation. Pierpoint would take over the role of Detective Samuel "George" Francisco, originated by Mandy Patinkin in the film, starring opposite Gary Graham as Detective Matthew Sikes. The series was popular, but cutbacks at Fox Television led to the cancellation of its entire drama output, including the planned second season of Alien Nation. Pierpoint went on to play Francisco in five subsequent Alien Nation TV movies from 1993 to 1997. Between 1993 and 2005, he starred in five separate guest roles on all four Star Trek series spin offs. He also continues to work regularly outside of science fiction, garnering many roles in popular films and TV shows during his career, including the 1997 film Liar, Liar and the more recent TV series Hart of Dixie and Parks and Recreation.

In addition to numerous roles on television and film, Pierpoint has been active in theater, starring in many plays throughout his career. His most recent role was in The Lion In Winter for the Ensemble Theater Company.

Writing

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In 2013, he completed his first book, a Young Adult Historical Fiction novel titled The Last Ride of Caleb O'Toole, which was published on September 3, 2013.[3] His second novel, The Secret Mission of William Tuck, also historical fiction, was published in 2015.[4]

In addition to reading his work to middle school children in an educational book tour, he also teaches guest master classes in acting at various universities.[5]

Personal life

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Pierpoint has been active in the Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles for a number of years.[6] He currently resides in Topanga, California.

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 Windy City Pete
1986 Invaders from Mars Rinaldi
1992 Forever Young Fred
1995 The Stranger Sheriff Gordon Cole (Video)
Midnight Man Patrick 'Paddy' White
1996 Where Truth Lies Joe McNamara
Driven Hal
Little Witches Sheriff Gordon
1997 Liar Liar Richard Cole
Steel Major
2003 The Movie Hero Blake's Dad
Holes Sheriff
2004 Eulogy Mr. Carmichael
Messiah Abbot
2005 The World's Fastest Indian Earl
2006 Four Weeks Four Hours Larry
2007 TV Virus Rett
2008 Solar Flare Senator Melchard
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen NSA Officer
2010 The Palace of Light Frank Druffel (Short)
Sex Tax: Based on a True Story Congressman Hayden
Nothing Special Alan
2011 Donner Pass George Donner
Phil Cobb's Dinner for Four Phil Cobb
2018 What We Keep Louis Hughes (Short)

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 Hot Pursuit Jim Wyler 12 episodes
1985–1986 Hill Street Blues Tom Hopper 3 episodes
1985–1986 Fame Paul Seeger 24 episodes
1987 Beauty and the Beast Donald Episode: "Masques"
1989 In the Heat of the Night Clay Caulder Episode: "Stranger in Town"
Heartland Jack Kemper Episode: "The Tornado"
1989–1990 Alien Nation Detective George Francisco 21 episodes
1991 WIOU Marc Adamson 4 episodes
Nurses Dr. Monford Episode: "Coming to America"
Matlock David Houk Episode: "The Suspect"
1993 Time Trax Jason Peterman Episode: "The Prodigy"
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash Andy (uncredited) TV movie
Star Trek: The Next Generation Ambassador Voval Episode: "Liaisons"
1994 Children of the Dark Dr. David Tanner TV movie
Alien Nation: Dark Horizon Detective George Francisco TV movie
Party of Five Bruce Curran Episode: "Kiss Me Kate"
1995 Murder, She Wrote Bradford Thorpe Episode: "Death 'N Denial"
Alien Nation: Body and Soul Detective George Francisco TV movie
1996 Alien Nation: Millennium Detective George Francisco TV movie
Alien Nation: The Enemy Within Detective George Francisco TV movie
1997 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Captain Sanders Episode: "For the Uniform"
Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy Detective George Francisco TV movie
Babylon 5 Daniel Episode: "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars"
Ally McBeal James Horton Episode: "Silver Bells"
1994–1998 Silk Stalkings Eric Russell / Dr. Finch 8 episodes
1998 The Pretender Sheriff Randall Carver Episode: "Someone to Trust"
1999 Beverly Hills, 90210 Adam Episode: "Dog's Best Friend"
Sliders President Jefferson Williams Episode: "A Current Affair"
Star Trek: Voyager Kortar Episode: "Barge of the Dead"
2000 Seven Days 'Koop' Episode: "The Dunwych Madness"
2001 Touched by an Angel Jack McHenry Episode: "The Penalty Box"
1994–2001 Diagnosis: Murder Dr. Don Matthews / George Ridgeway 2 episodes
2001–2002 JAG Dr. Kubota / Lieutenant Colonel Maples 2 episodes
2003 Mister Sterling Chuck Stanley 3 episodes
Strong Medicine Dr. Sullivan Episode: "Vaccinations"
2004 Crossing Jordan Fireman Episode: "Fire in the Sky"
2005 CSI: Miami Fire Chief Kyle Donaldson Episode: "Nothing to Lose"
Surface Admiral Philip Geary Episode #1.1
Medium Chief Parker Episode: "Dead Aim"
2002–2005 Star Trek: Enterprise Harris / Shiraht 5 episodes
2006 McBride: Requiem Senator David Fletcher TV movie
2007 Brothers & Sisters Stanley Hancock Episode: "Grapes of Wrath"
Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses Captain Raymond Cain TV movie
Big Love Larry Schoenfeld 2 episodes
2008 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 'Cash' Dooley Episode: "Bull"
2009 Eleventh Hour Joseph Breen Episode: "Minamata"
2010 A Soldier's Love Story Terry TV movie
The Mentalist Vint Molinari Episode: "The Blood on His Hands"
2011 The Cape Chief Tom Ross Episode: "Pilot"
Chemistry Arthur 'Artie' Delacorte 10 episodes
2011–2012 Parks and Recreation Chief Trumple 3 episodes
2012 Workaholics Don Walters Episode: "The Business Trip"
2014 Farmed and Dangerous Mick Mitcherson 4 episodes
2011–2015 Hart of Dixie Harold Tucker 7 episodes
2015 Wicked City Bruce Forrester Episode: "The Very Thought of You"
2016 Four Stars Admiral Hank Crawford TV movie
2017 Six Don Buckley Episode: "Collateral"

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Eric Pierpoint (born November 18, 1950) is an American actor and author best known for portraying Detective George Francisco, a Tenctonese alien , in the television series (1989–1990) and its subsequent five telefilms (1994–1997). Born in , to correspondent Robert Pierpoint, he began his acting career during his senior year at the , initially focusing on stage work before transitioning to television in the 1980s. His early television roles included recurring appearances as Officer Joe DeMasi in the police drama (1981–1987) and as Mr. Berg in the musical series Fame (1982–1987), establishing him as a versatile . Pierpoint gained prominence in science fiction genres, guest-starring in all four initial Star Trek spin-off series: The Next Generation (as an alien commander in 1993), Deep Space Nine (as Captain Sanders in 1997), Voyager (as Dr. Stadi in 1995 and Kortar in 1999), and Enterprise (as Shiraht in 2004 and Harris in 2005). He also recurred in contemporary dramas such as (as Dr. Harris in 2012–2015), (as Sheriff Tom in 2006–2011), and (as Mayor Bill Hayes in 2011–2015), alongside guest spots in procedurals like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and 9-1-1: Lone Star. In film, Pierpoint has appeared in supporting roles across genres, including the comedy (1997) as a judge, the family adventure Holes (2003) as Deputy Stanley Yelnats, the action sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) as a officer, and recent dramas like I Am Gitmo (2024) and The Bad Guardian (2024) as a and Jason Davis, respectively. Beyond acting, Pierpoint is an award-winning author of aimed at young readers, drawing from his family's heritage. His debut novel, The Last Ride of Caleb O'Toole (2013), follows a boy's perilous journey westward in the and received the Reading the West Book Award for its vivid storytelling; it was followed by The Secret Mission of William Tuck (2019), which explores themes of and friendship during the Civil War era. He has several screenplays in development and maintains an active presence in animal advocacy.

Early life

Birth and family

Eric Pierpoint was born on November 18, 1950, in . He is the middle child of three siblings, born to mother Patricia Adams Pierpoint, who later remarried White House correspondent Robert Pierpoint, a television journalist who adopted the children. The family's subsequent addition of a baby sister brought the total to four children, with Robert Pierpoint's profession in providing an early exposure to media and public affairs in the household. Pierpoint's family origins trace back to Mormon ancestors who migrated westward along the in the mid-1800s, eventually settling in areas such as Porterville and Logan near , where many of the men pursued careers as physicians. These historical migrations and pioneer roots have notably influenced Pierpoint's themes in his writing, emphasizing tales of westward expansion and familial legacy.

Upbringing and influences

Though some sources note as his birthplace, Pierpoint's family relocated to the , area in 1959 during his childhood, where his stepfather, Robert Pierpoint, worked as a , immersing the young Pierpoint in an environment rich with journalistic and political . This proximity to national events and media shaped his early awareness of narrative power, including a personal anecdote from when, at age 17, he learned of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination belatedly while on a phone call with his girlfriend. He graduated from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1968. Growing up in the D.C. region, Pierpoint's family background provided foundational influences on his creative pursuits. His mother's lineage traced back to Western Migration pioneers, with preserved diaries from the Oregon Trail offering vivid historical accounts that later informed his writing by emphasizing themes of resilience and adventure. These familial narratives, combined with the dynamic cultural atmosphere of the capital—marked by theaters, museums, and media outlets—fostered an appreciation for dramatic expression and human stories. Pierpoint attended the , earning a in , where he began his acting career during his senior year. He later obtained a from . His early literary interests centered on adventure tales featuring youthful protagonists facing formidable odds, such as the Hardy Boys series and Mark Harris's coming-of-age novel The Southpaw. These reads ignited his passion for storytelling, further nurtured by influential historical fiction authors like , , , and James Michener, whose epic scopes of human endurance resonated deeply during his formative years. Although specific childhood involvement in school plays or amateur theater remains undocumented, his exposure to these elements laid the groundwork for his later entry into .

Career

Acting

Eric Pierpoint entered professional in the , following his studies at the and early theater work, with initial television guest appearances that showcased his range in dramatic roles. He gained a recurring part as drama teacher Paul Seeger in the sixth season of the series Fame (1986), appearing in 15 episodes and contributing to the show's exploration of artistic ambition among young performers. Earlier, he starred in the short-lived sitcom Hot Pursuit (1984) and made guest spots on procedural dramas like , building a foundation in ensemble television formats. Pierpoint achieved his breakthrough with the role of George Francisco, a Newcomer alien partnered with human Matthew Sikes, in the series (1989–1990). The character, a Tenctonese immigrant navigating and cultural integration in , served as a vehicle for the show's allegorical themes of , , and interspecies cooperation, often drawing parallels to real-world social issues like those in In the Heat of the Night. Pierpoint reprised the role in five spin-off television movies from 1994 to 1997, including Dark Horizon and The Enemy Within, where Francisco's family dynamics and ongoing fight against deepened the narrative's impact on audiences, emphasizing tolerance and human-alien symbiosis. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Pierpoint became one of the few actors to guest star in all four Star Trek spin-off series, demonstrating his affinity for . His appearances included the Vulcan ambassador Voval in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Liaisons" (1993), Captain Sanders in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "For the Uniform" (1997), the Klingon afterlife figure Kortar in Star Trek: Voyager's "Barge of the Dead" (1999), and the Section 31 operative Harris in multiple episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise (2002–2005), such as "Affliction" and "Divergence." These roles highlighted his ability to portray authoritative, otherworldly figures within the franchise's expansive universe. Pierpoint's career progressed into the 2000s and 2010s with recurring roles in ensemble series, including the authoritative Chief Hugh Trumple on (2012–2015), guest appearances as Larry Schoenfeld on (2007), and firefighter Chief Bowman on 9-1-1: Lone Star (2022–2025). He also appeared in the Lifetime thriller The Bad Guardian (2024). These parts spanned comedy, drama, and procedural genres, reflecting his shift toward character acting in supporting roles that added depth to group dynamics. Over time, Pierpoint's versatility across sci-fi like , intense family dramas in , and lighthearted bureaucracy in solidified his reputation as a reliable ensemble player in both television and film.

Writing

Eric Pierpoint began his writing career in 2013 with the publication of his first , The Last Ride of Caleb O'Toole, which follows a young boy's perilous journey along the in the mid-19th century. The book, aimed at middle-grade readers, blends action, adventure, and historical detail to make the pioneer experience engaging for young audiences. In 2015, Pierpoint released his second novel in the same genre, The Secret Mission of William Tuck, centering on a 12-year-old boy's quest for justice during the , involving espionage and encounters with historical figures like . Both works emphasize themes from American history, highlighting the grit and moral complexities of pivotal eras such as westward expansion and the fight for independence, while encouraging readers to appreciate historical events through character-driven narratives. For his debut novel, Pierpoint received the 2013 Reading the West Book Award, recognizing its contribution to on Western American themes. No major awards have been reported for his subsequent publication, though both books have been praised for their educational value in bringing to life for young readers. Building on his extensive acting background, Pierpoint has developed several screenplays, incorporating dramatic storytelling techniques honed from decades in Hollywood to adapt historical narratives for visual media. His writing draws inspiration from personal family history, including ancestors who traveled the in 1848, as well as his experience portraying characters in period settings. Pierpoint continues to pursue projects in , focusing on making complex historical events accessible and exciting for younger generations.

Personal life

Family

Eric Pierpoint was married to Linda Pierpoint from April 4, 1969, until their divorce on February 3, 1985. The couple had no children.

Interests and

Pierpoint is a self-described huge animal lover, reflecting a deep personal passion for animals that influences his lifestyle choices. He resides in , a rural canyon community that aligns with his appreciation for nature and provides an environment conducive to animal care and creative pursuits like writing. Pierpoint's interests extend to historical topics, evident in his authorship of for young readers, where he draws on extensive research into past eras to craft engaging narratives. In terms of philanthropy, Pierpoint has been actively involved with Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles for many years, volunteering as a mentor to support children's development. He has also partnered with the nonprofit Kids Need to Read, organizing fundraisers including The Eric Pierpoint Book Express and Eric Pierpoint's Book Revolution to donate books and resources to underserved children, promoting and access to educational materials.

Filmography

Film

Pierpoint began his feature film career in the early with a supporting role as Fred, a officer, in the romantic fantasy Forever Young, directed by . In 1997, he appeared in the comedy as Richard Cole, a fellow attorney in the led by Jim Carrey's character. He portrayed the Sheriff in the adventure drama Holes (2003), a role involving in the story's historical flashback sequences. Pierpoint played , a supportive friend to the protagonist, in the biographical film (2005), starring as motorcycle racer . In the action blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), he had a minor role as an NSA Officer monitoring the extraterrestrial threats. He took on the lead antagonistic role of George Donner in the Donner Pass: The Road to Survival (2012), depicting a twisted version of the historical pioneer during the infamous expedition. He portrayed John Anderson, a interrogator, in the drama I Am Gitmo (2023).

Television

Pierpoint's early television work in the included a recurring role as drama teacher Paul Seeger in the sixth season of Fame (1986), appearing in 15 episodes. That same year, he landed his first leading role as Jim Wyler, her husband and a , in the short-lived series Hot Pursuit (1984–1985), which followed a couple evading criminals while pursued by law enforcement. His breakthrough came in the genre with the role of Detective George Francisco, a Newcomer alien partnered with human detective Matthew Sikes, in the Fox series (1989–1990), which ran for 22 episodes and explored themes of and through its alien-human dynamic. Pierpoint reprised the character in four spin-off television movies: Alien Nation: Dark Horizon (1994), Alien Nation: Body and Soul (1995), Alien Nation: Millennium (1996), and Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy (1997), extending the storyline across additional challenges faced by the Newcomers. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Pierpoint became one of the few actors to guest star in all four Star Trek spin-off series, showcasing his versatility in science fiction roles. These included Voval, an alien ambassador, in Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Liaisons" (1993); Captain Sanders in episode "" (1997); Kortar, a Klingon death god, in episode "" (1999); and Special Agent Harris in four episodes of (2004–2005), including "Affliction", "", "Demons", and ""; he earlier guest-starred as Shiraht in "" (2001). In the 2000s and , Pierpoint took on recurring supporting roles in drama series, such as Larry Schoenfeld in two episodes of HBO's (2007). He played Chief Hugh Trumple, the head of the Pawnee Police Department, in several episodes of NBC's across seasons 3 and 4 (2011–2012). Similarly, he portrayed Harold Tucker, a former Bluebell resident and Lavon's father, in recurring appearances on The CW's (2011–2015). Other notable one-off and guest spots included Mick Mitcherson in the satirical web miniseries Farmed and Dangerous (2014), a Chipotle-produced commentary on . More recently, Pierpoint appeared as Chief Bowman in three episodes of Fox's 9-1-1: Lone Star (2022). He also starred as Jason Davis in the Lifetime television movie The Bad Guardian (2024), a thriller addressing guardianship abuse inspired by real-life cases.

Stage and other

Eric Pierpoint began his acting career with extensive stage work, performing in classical and regional theater productions. Early roles included in Tennessee Williams's at the Hartke Theatre. He also portrayed in Shakespeare's and Sly in Larry Gelbart's Sly Fox at the same venue. Additionally, Pierpoint appeared in J.B. Priestley's in and regional settings. In Shakespearean productions, he took on multiple roles in Richard III at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles in 2002, including King Edward IV and Tyrrel. Later, he starred as King Henry II opposite Stephanie Zimbalist as Eleanor of Aquitaine in James Goldman's The Lion in Winter for the Ensemble Theatre Company at the Alhecama Theatre in Santa Barbara, running from December 1 to 18, 2011. Pierpoint continued his theater involvement with the world premiere of Parallel Process, a exploring the psychological impact of the on two estranged brothers, at the Odyssey Theatre in . He portrayed Bobby, a struggling with trauma, in the production that opened on September 19, 2025, and ran through October 26, 2025. Beyond live theater, Pierpoint has contributed to narration, lending his voice to titles available on platforms like Audible, including dramatic readings in full-cast productions such as The Man of Legends by Kenneth Johnson. His voice work extends to commercials, , and video games, where he employs a range of accents and dialects. In unscripted media, he appeared as himself on the A Captain's Log episode "An Abundance of Star Trek Roles," discussing his career on April 5, 2023.

References

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