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Sy Richardson
Sy Richardson
Sy Richardson
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Symon Lionel Richardson (born June 4, 1941) is an American film and television actor. Also a two-time screenwriter, Richardson wrote the screenplay for the 1993 film Posse.[1]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

He was born in Cincinnati and grew up in Chicago. He attended Farragut Career Academy. He served two years in the United States Navy. He received an associate of arts in black history and music from Kennedy–King College in 1972 and received a Bachelor of Science in journalism, specializing in advertising, from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1975.

Career

[edit]

Richardson made his film debut as the Fairy Godmother, in the 1977 American erotic musical comedy Cinderella.[2] He is perhaps best known as a regular in the films of Alex Cox, having appeared in Repo Man, Sid and Nancy, Straight to Hell, Walker, The Winner and Searchers 2.0. He played "Turbo" in the 1990 film Tripwire. He recently had a recurring role as the coroner on the TV series Pushing Daisies. He also appeared in They Live and Colors.[3]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1977 Cinderella Fairy godmother
1977 Petey Wheatstraw Petey's father
1978 Fairy Tales Sirus
1979 Nocturna: Granddaughter of Dracula RH Factor
1983 My Brother's Wedding Mr. Dubois
1984 Repo Man Lite
1986 Sid and Nancy Methadone Caseworker
1987 Straight to Hell Norwood
1987 Walker Capt. Hornsby
1987 Cold Steel Rashid
1987 Medium Rare Marv
1988 Tapeheads Bartender
1988 Dead Man Walking Snake
1988 Bad Dreams Detective Wasserman
1988 Colors Bailey
1988 They Live Black Revolutionary
1989 Three Fugitives Tucker
1989 Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects Lavonne
1989 Mystery Train Newsvendor Segment: "A Ghost"
1989 Tripwire Turbo
1990 To Sleep with Anger Marsh
1990 Catchfire Capt. Walker
1990 Street Asylum Sgt. 'Joker' Tatum
1990 Men at Work Walt Richardson
1990 The Grifters Cab driver Uncredited
1993 Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel Ernest
1993 Eye of the Stranger Jeb
1993 Posse Shepherd Also screenwriter
1994 Floundering Commander K
1994 The Glass Shield Mr. Taylor
1996 Killin' Me Softly Mr. Richardson
1996 The Winner Bartender
1996 Evil Obsession Jim
1998 Shattered Illusions Gene
1998 Erasable You Miliatant
1998 Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar Harry
2000 The Playaz Court Ike
2001 Human Nature Police detective
2001 Extreme Honor Schultz
2004 Surviving Christmas Doo-Dah Understudy
2007 Lord Help Us Church member Direct-to-video
2007 The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning Shiner #2
2007 Sister's Keeper Cornelious
2007 All About Us Willie Earl
2007 Searchers 2.0 Fritz Frobisher
2008 South of Heaven Pawn Daddy
2008 Shattered! Art
2010 Our Family Wedding Sonny
2010 A Numbers Game Bernie
2010 Straight to Hell Returns Norwood
2011 Monkey Man Mr. Greenwood
2011 Larry Crowne Avery
2012 House Arrest Paster P
2013 The Pain Killers Reverend Samuel
2015 Faith of Our Fathers Dan
2016 The Reluctant Polyglot Harris Liepo
2016 Can I Get a Witness Protection? Eddie
2017 Message from a Mistress Mr. Hall
2016 The God of Death Tony Red
2019 5th of July Pops

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1985 Hill Street Blues Baggage Attendant Episode: "In the Belly of the Bus"
1989 Falcon Crest Detective Olen Episode: "Doctor Dollars"
1990 Wings Luther Episode: "Return to Nantucket: Part 1"
1990 Gabriel's Fire Miles Parker Episode: "I'm Nobody"
1990 The New Adam 12 Mr. Simms Episode: "Framed"
1991 Clippers Customer Television film
1991 China Beach Franklin Episode: "Through and Through"
1992 Cheers Gordon Episode: "No Rest for the Woody"
1993 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Mr. Gooding Episode: "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
1993 Crime & Punishment Willie Carson Episode: "Best Laid Plans"
1995 Martin Boss man Episode: "The Romantic Weekend"
1997 Malcolm & Eddie Mr. Brooks Episode: "Jugglin'"
1997 Players Slider Episode: "Con Law"
1998 Profiler Gus Episode: "Double Vision"
1999 Becker Mr. Duncan Episode: "Limits & Boundaries"
1999 Any Day Now Episode: "Don't Say Anything"
1999 Heat Vision and Jack Doctor Television film
2000 After Diff'rent Strokes: When the

Laughter Stopped

Mr. Coleman
2002 The Division Bus driver Episode: "Long Day's Journey"
2003 L.A. County 187 Leotis Brown Television film
2003 ER Coleman Episode: "Out of Africa"
2003 Dragnet Manassas PD Capt. Leonard Episode: "Slice of Life"
2004 Charmed Father Wilkins Episode: "A Wrong Day's Journey Into Right"
2005 The Shield Brother William Episode: "Insurgents"
2006, 2007 Monk Janitor / Sanitation Worker 2 episodes
2007 Cold Case Byron '07 Episode: "It Takes a Village"
2007–2009 Pushing Daisies Coroner 12 episodes
2008 Lincoln Heights Family Member #3 Episode: "The Day Before Tomorrow"
2008 Chocolate News Clarence Baldwin Episode #1.10
2010 Medium Rare Marv Episode #1.1
2012 Prime Suspect Man Episode: "Stuck in the Middle with You"
2012 Rizzoli & Isles Sour Grapes Episode: "This Is How a Heart Breaks"
2013 NCIS Lester Episode: "Hit and Run"
2013 FutureStates Luther Episode: "The Living"
2014 Benched Moon Rock Episode: "Shark, Actually"
2015 Documentary Now! David Episode: "Sandy Passage"
2017 Like Family Greg 3 episodes
2020 Family Reunion Brother Franklin Episode: "Remember Our Parents' Wedding?"
2020 Broke Henry Episode: "The Test"

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sy Richardson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Symon Lionel "Sy" Richardson (born June 4, 1941) is an American actor, screenwriter, and occasional director best known for his supporting roles in cult films of the 1980s and his contributions to independent cinema. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Richardson attended multiple schools before earning a B.S. in journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1975, initially pursuing a career in advertising and newspapers. He transitioned to acting in the mid-1970s, making his film debut in The Other Cinderella (1976) and quickly gaining recognition through collaborations with director Alex Cox, including Repo Man (1984) as Lite, Sid and Nancy (1986) as the methadone caseworker, and Walker (1987) as Capt. Hornsby. His other notable 1980s film roles include the Black Revolutionary in John Carpenter's They Live (1988) and Bailey in Dennis Hopper's Colors (1988). In addition to acting, Richardson co-wrote the screenplay for the 1993 Western Posse, directed by Mario Van Peebles and loosely based on the life of his grandfather, a Southern Baptist minister who formed an all-Black posse in the early 20th century. Over his career spanning more than four decades, he has amassed over 100 film credits, including appearances in Larry Crowne (2011) and Our Family Wedding (2010), alongside television roles such as the recurring coroner Emerson Cod in Pushing Daisies (2007–2009), guest spots in Cold Case (2003–2010), and Prime Suspect (2011). Richardson has also directed short films like Us Against Them and Familiar Strangers, produced documentaries on Black history for SAG-AFTRA, and appeared in high-profile commercials, including the FedEx "Carrier Pigeons" spot during Super Bowl XLII in 2008.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Sy Richardson was born on June 4, 1941, in , , with the birth name Symon Lionel Richardson. He was raised primarily in , , by his family amid the vibrant urban culture of the Midwest. The family's frequent relocations during his childhood led to significant instability, resulting in Richardson attending 14 different elementary schools and 5 high schools, including graduating from in , which exposed him to diverse communities and experiences across the region. In these urban environments, Richardson developed an early interest in the arts and music, beginning to sing at the age of 12 and recording his first single at 16 with the group Lil June and the Januarys, a vocal ensemble from . In his early twenties, he formed the Trans World Sound recording company with Lil June and the Januarys. This initial foray into performance, including and rhythm-and-blues styles prevalent in 's music scene, laid the groundwork for his later pursuits in , alongside budding curiosities in that would influence his educational path. Following high school, Richardson served two years of active duty in the .

Academic background

Richardson's educational journey was marked by significant challenges stemming from the instability of his early years, which resulted in frequent disruptions and attendance at multiple institutions. These circumstances led him to enroll in three colleges as he sought to establish a stable academic path. Determined to pursue studies aligned with his interests, Richardson earned an Associate of Arts degree in Black History and Music from Kennedy-King College in in 1972. This program allowed him to delve into cultural and artistic subjects that resonated with his background and creative inclinations. Building on this foundation, he transferred to the , where he completed a in in 1975, specializing in . His focused efforts in journalism reflected a shift toward professional fields that combined communication skills with the expressive elements he explored earlier.

Personal life

Family

Richardson resides in . Public details about his family life are limited, respecting their privacy, but Richardson has occasionally highlighted the grounding role of his household amid his professional endeavors.

Publications and interests

Richardson has self-published five books through platforms like , covering a range of topics drawn from his professional and personal experiences. Among these are An Actor's Spiritual Armor, which explores spiritual dimensions of performance; Sy by Sy: The Journey, a 2020 detailing his career as a ; 60 + Questions: A Busy Actor's Guide for Building Characters, offering practical techniques; and African American Actors: How to Live and Work in Hollywood, which addresses challenges and strategies for Black performers in the industry. The themes in Richardson's books emphasize acting methodologies, such as character development and on-set ; spirituality and as guiding forces in creative pursuits, seen in works like Pep for Christian Entertainers; personal reflections on his life's path; and insights into African American cultural and historical contexts within . His background in , earned through a degree from the , has shaped his approachable, informative writing style across these publications. Beyond writing, Richardson maintains an active interest in mentoring, actors and directors to refine their skills in and scene direction. Richardson's hobbies extend to the , particularly and variety shows. These pursuits continue as leisure activities, blending his foundational musical training with improvisational entertainment.

Career

Acting beginnings

Following his graduation from the in 1975 with a in , Sy Richardson transitioned from a brief career in and to acting, drawing on the discipline instilled by his two years of active duty service in the United States Navy earlier in life. This occurred earlier in life, after which he worked for several newspapers. In 1976, Richardson joined the Heritage Square Opera House in , where he immersed himself in vaudeville-style performances and olio acts—short, comedic variety sketches that bridged longer shows. His time there marked the beginning of his professional stage work, including a notable role as in a production that year. This ensemble theater environment provided foundational training in and audience engagement, honing skills that would define his versatile career. Richardson's screen debut came in 1977 with the erotic musical comedy Cinderella (also known as The Other Cinderella), where he portrayed the flamboyant Fairy Godmother, a role that showcased his comedic timing and physicality in a breakout performance. Despite the film's adult-oriented content, it served as his entry into cinema, predating his full post-graduation commitments but aligning with his burgeoning theater involvement. During the late and , Richardson expanded into directing, helming 30 plays and seven musical variety shows, often at regional venues like Heritage Square, which allowed him to blend acting with creative leadership in live performance. These early directorial efforts emphasized ensemble dynamics and musical elements, reflecting his background in journalism's precision applied to theater production.

Key collaborations and roles

Richardson established himself as a prominent character actor through his frequent collaborations with director Alex Cox, appearing in six of his films across three decades. In Cox's cult classic Repo Man (1984), he portrayed Lite, a laid-back repo man navigating the film's punk-infused dystopia. He followed with the role of Methadone Caseworker in Sid and Nancy (1986), delivering a memorable, no-nonsense performance as the counselor dealing with Sid Vicious's addiction struggles. Richardson took on the lead role of hitman Norwood in the spaghetti Western parody Straight to Hell (1987), showcasing his deadpan humor alongside an ensemble including Joe Strummer and Courtney Love. His partnership with Cox continued in Walker (1987) as Capt. Hornsby, a military figure in the anarchic biopic of filibuster William Walker, and as the Bartender in the gambling comedy The Winner (1996). The duo reunited for Searchers 2.0 (2010), where Richardson played Fritz Frobisher, a retired lawman in this meta-sequel to John Ford's The Searchers. Beyond Cox's projects, Richardson earned acclaim for several standout roles that highlighted his versatility in supporting parts. In the Bad Dreams (1988), he played Detective Wasserman, a skeptical investigator probing events at a . Two decades later, in the crime drama (2008), he portrayed Pawn Daddy, a shrewd pawnshop owner entangled in a tale of and redemption. On television, Richardson made notable appearances that underscored his reliability in ensemble casts. He debuted on Hill Street Blues in 1985 as Baggage Attendant, a minor but authentic urban role in the gritty . From 2007 to 2009, he had a recurring role as the Coroner on , providing wry commentary on the whimsical murder mysteries. In the , he guest-starred on NCIS in episodes such as "Devil's Triangle" (2012) as Jackson Teller and "Double Trouble" (2016) as Eddie Brown, contributing to the naval investigative drama's procedural depth. Richardson's career milestones extended into the 2020s with guest spots on (2020) as Brother Franklin, offering familial wisdom in the sitcom, and Broke (2020) as Henry, a sharp-witted elder in the family comedy. Post-2010, his output slowed, reflecting a selective approach to roles amid his established status as a with over 50 film credits and 30 television appearances.

Writing and directing

Richardson co-wrote the screenplay for the 1993 Posse, directed by , alongside first-time Dario Scardapane. The story drew inspiration from the life of Richardson's grandfather, a Southern Baptist minister who formed an all-Black posse in the early to protect Black communities from the . The production was managed by . Beyond , Richardson has maintained a prolific career in theater direction, helming over 30 plays and seven musicals. Among his notable stage directing credits is South of Where We Live (1988), a production featuring a spirited ensemble at the Theatre of Hearts. He also directed Summers in (1996), Passing (1997)—a Towne Street Theatre production that explored themes of racial and —and TREE for the Opera Foundation. His direction of South of Where We Live earned one NAACP Image Award nomination in 1988, while Summers in received three such nominations in 1996, and Passing garnered two in 1997. For the latter, Richardson directed the 1997 and 1998 iterations, contributing to its NAACP recognition and sell-out runs. In producing, Richardson co-produced and directed the 1998 documentary Symposium 98 for the SAG/AFTRA Equal Employment Opportunity Commission department. Richardson extended his directing talents to advertising, helming the 1998 McDonald's commercial "Someone Stole Your Fries," which earned a three-star rating from Advertising Age magazine.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
1977The Other CinderellaSoldier
1979NocturnaRH Factor
1978Adult Fairy TalesSirus the Pimp
1983My Brother's WeddingSonia's Father
1984Repo ManLite
1986Sid and NancyMethadone Caseworker
1987Straight to HellNorwood
1987WalkerCapt. Hornsby
1988Bad DreamsDetective Wasserman
1988ColorsBailey
1988They LiveBlack Revolutionary
1989Three FugitivesTucker
1989Kinjite: Forbidden SubjectsLavonne
1990BacktrackCapt. Walker
1990TripwireTurbo
1993PosseHolmes
1993Ring of Fire II: Blood and SteelErnest
1994The Glass ShieldMr. Taylor
1994FlounderingCommander K
2001Extreme HonorSchultz
2004Surviving ChristmasDoo-Dah Understudy
2007All About UsWillie Earl
2007Searchers 2.0Fritz Frobisher
2008South of HeavenPreacher
2010A Numbers GameMarcus
2010Our Family WeddingSonny
2010Straight Out of Hell ReturnsNorwood
2011Larry CrowneAvery
2012House ArrestPaster P
20195th of JulyPops
This table lists Sy Richardson's verified film acting credits in chronological order.

Television

Richardson's television career began in 1985 with a guest appearance on the police drama , where he played the Baggage Attendant in the episode "In the Belly of the Bus" (season 5, episode 21). In 1988, he appeared as Franklin in an episode of the Vietnam War series . The following year, 1989, Richardson guest-starred as Detective Olen in the episode "Doctor Dollars" (season 9, episode 7) of the . His 1990 appearances included the role of Luther in "Return to Nantucket: Part 1" (season 2, episode 1) of Wings, Mr. Simms in "Framed" (season 1, episode 2) of The New Adam-12, and Miles Parker in "I'm Nobody" (season 1, episode 3) of . In 1991, he had a guest role as in the unsold pilot Clippers. Richardson guest-starred as Gordon in the 1992 episode "No Rest for the Woody" (season 10, episode 14) of . During the 1990s, he made guest appearances on several sitcoms, including Martin (1992–1997, multiple episodes as various characters), (1996–2000), Profiler (1996–2000), and (1998–2004). In 1999, he appeared in the short-lived sci-fi comedy pilot Heat Vision and Jack. Early 2000s credits include a recurring role in L.A. Sheriff's Homicide (2002, NBC miniseries), guest spots on Any Day Now (1998–2002, Lifetime), The Division (2001–2004), ER (1994–2009, episode unspecified), and LA Dragnet (2003–2004). Richardson portrayed Father Wilkins in the 2003 episode "The Eyes Have It" (season 6, episode 3) of Charmed. That same year, he guest-starred on . In 2002–2009, he appeared in two episodes of as a co-star. From 2007 to 2009, Richardson had a recurring role as the Coroner in the fantasy series , appearing in 12 episodes across both seasons until the show's cancellation after its second season. Other mid-2000s appearances include Lincoln Heights (2007–2009, co-star, ABC Family) and Seven Days (1998–2001, guest star). In 2008, he featured in the sketch comedy Chocolate News () and the unsold pilot Lost & Found (). Richardson guest-starred in the 2009–2015 series Tosh.0 as an OG Voice. In 2010, he appeared on Rizzoli & Isles (TNT). The 2011 NBC series Prime Suspect featured him as a co-star. In 2013, Richardson had a guest spot on NCIS (various seasons, role unspecified). He appeared in Benched in 2014. In 2014–2015, he appeared in Documentary Now! (unspecified episodes). In 2019, he played Pops in the short series 5th of July. Richardson's most recent television role was as Brother Franklin in (2020, ). As of 2025, no further credits have been announced. That year, he also starred as Henry in the CBS sitcom Broke, which was canceled after one season. Additional guest appearances include The Shield (2004, as Brother William in season 4).
YearTitleRoleNotes
1985Hill Street BluesBaggage AttendantSeason 5, Episode 21: "In the Belly of the Bus"
1988China BeachFranklinGuest star
1989Falcon CrestDetective OlenSeason 9, Episode 7: "Doctor Dollars"
1990WingsLutherSeason 2, Episode 1: "Return to Nantucket: Part 1"
1990The New Adam-12Mr. SimmsSeason 1, Episode 2: "Framed"
1990Gabriel's FireMiles ParkerSeason 1, Episode 3: "I'm Nobody"
1991ClippersCustomerTV movie, unsold pilot
1992CheersGordonSeason 10, Episode 14: "No Rest for the Woody"
1992–1997MartinVariousGuest star, multiple episodes
1996–2000Malcolm & EddieGuest starUnspecified episodes
1996–2000ProfilerGuest starUnspecified episodes
1998–2001Seven DaysGuest starUnspecified episodes
1998–2004BeckerGuest starUnspecified episodes
1998–2002Any Day NowGuest starUnspecified episodes
1999Heat Vision and JackGuest starPilot episode
2001–2004The DivisionGuest starUnspecified episodes
2002L.A. Sheriff's HomicideRecurringMiniseries
2002–2009MonkCo-star2 episodes
2003CharmedFather WilkinsSeason 6, Episode 3: "The Eyes Have It"
2003Cold CaseGuest starUnspecified episode
2003–2004LA DragnetGuest starUnspecified episodes
2004The ShieldBrother WilliamSeason 4, "Insurgents"
1994–2009ERCo-starUnspecified episode
2007–2009Pushing DaisiesCoronerRecurring, 12 episodes
2007–2009Lincoln HeightsCo-starUnspecified episodes
2008Chocolate NewsGuest starUnspecified sketches
2008Lost & FoundLeadUnsold pilot
2009–2015Tosh.0OG VoiceGuest appearance
2010Rizzoli & IslesGuest starUnspecified episode
2011Prime SuspectCo-starUnspecified episode
2013NCISGuest starVarious seasons
2014BenchedRole unspecifiedGuest star
2014–2015Documentary Now!ActorUnspecified episodes
20195th of JulyPopsShort series
2020BrokeHenrySeries regular, canceled after season 1
2020Family ReunionBrother FranklinGuest star

References

  1. https://www.nndb.com/people/116/000353054/
  2. https://elcinema.com/en/person/2001034/
  3. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/sy-richardson/credits/3030187021/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724784/bio/
  5. https://www.stage32.com/syrichardson
  6. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/sy_richardson
  7. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724784/
  8. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/59633
  9. https://www.afi.com/news/afi-movie-club-posse/
  10. https://newsroom.fedex.com/newsroom/united-states-english/the-fedex-super-bowl-ad-2008
  11. https://x.com/syrichardson
  12. https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/syrichardson1
  13. https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/6008085.Sy_Richardson
  14. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pep-Christian-Entertainers-Sy-Richardson/dp/1430324996
  15. https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/sy-richardson/1263333/
  16. https://coloradotheatrehistory.com/heritage-square-music-hall/
  17. https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/393639-sy-richardson
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075849/fullcredits/
  19. https://www.silveremulsion.com/2013/05/07/cinderella-1977/
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0925266/characters/nm0724784
  21. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1043958-posse
  22. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-02-ca-1089-story.html
  23. https://playbill.com/article/las-towne-st-theatre-receives-toyota-grant-com-73094
  24. https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/theatre/item/12224-fanbase-press-interviews-nancy-davis-bellamy-on-towne-street-theatre-s-one-day-streaming-event-for-passing-a-retrospective
  25. https://www.fandango.com/people/sy-richardson-562540
  26. https://watch.plex.tv/show/falcon-crest/season/9/episode/7/credits
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0585466/fullcredits/
  28. http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/135359-347142
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539814/
  30. https://en.notrecinema.com/communaute/stars/stars.php3?staridx=43615
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0925266/
  32. https://theshield.fandom.com/wiki/Sy_Richardson
  33. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/sy-richardson
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