Printer friendly bio

J. AUGUST RICHARDS

@jaugustrichards

 

Previously best known for his work as fan favorite vampire/demon hunter ‘Charles Gunn’ in the cult hit series “Angel,” actor J August Richards’ latest starring television role has reunited him with “Angel”-turned-“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Executive Producer Joss Whedon.

Richards first appeared in ABC’s comic book-based hit series in the pilot episode as ‘Mike Peterson,’ a normal, factory worker father who got superpowers through the use of the Centipede Device. While his intentions were pure – he just wanted to be a hero to his son – he became a victim of the technology and was detained by S.H.I.E.L.D. Eventually, Richards’ ‘Peterson’ was recaptured and his technology was overhauled to transform him into the iconic superhero ‘Deathlok,’ a HYDRA-controlled lethal cyborg assassin in season one. With each subsequent appearance of the morally conflicted ‘Mike Peterson/Deathlok’, the former gave way to the latter, his humanity hanging in the balance.

Currently recurring on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, Richards refers to his “anti-villain” superhero role of ‘Deathlok’ as “a dream job.” No surprise, considering he was a rabid comic book fan as a kid and still has his vast collection of everything from the X-Men to Spiderman.

ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is currently in its second season, airing Tuesdays at 9pm.

In addition to his recurring role on “S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Richards is also recurring on Bravo TV’s first original scripted series “Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce” as ‘Ford Phillips’ — one-half of a gay married couple and a father of two. The show has been picked up for a second season, returning this summer

Since discovering his actor calling as a kid mesmerized by films like STAR WARS, J August Richards has never looked back, becoming a visible favorite in primetime television. In addition to starring in the Joss Whedon hit series “Angel,” he also starred in series regular roles on Dick Wolf's “Conviction” and Steven Bochco's “Raising the Bar.”

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in the Maryland suburb of Bladensburg, Richards discovered his love for acting at an early age. He enrolled in a performing arts high school and appeared in several plays a year. Determined to move to Los Angeles to become an actor, he applied to only one college: the University of Southern California. He was not only accepted, but he also won numerous scholarships and grants to study theatre.

After graduation, Richards began working steadily in film, television and theatre. He first won recognition and rave reviews for his role in the production of Space at the Mark Taper Forum, playing a rapping bike messenger who believes he is an alien abductee. Richards also received accolades for his performance in the Old Globe Theater’s production of Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero.

On the big screen, Richards appeared in the feature films WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE, GOOD BURGER, and PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS. He also starred in the short-lived Lifetime sci-fi drama “The Lottery” and in the television movies “Critical Assembly,” “The Temptations” and “Mutiny.”

Richards wrote and directed the buzzworthy short film PRIVACY POLICY, which he describes as “ENEMY OF THE STATE meets THE SIXTH SENSE,” which played in film festivals to major acclaim. He has also written and directed the upcoming webseries “The Hypnotist,” which he describes as a “psychological fiction.”

In his free time, Richards enjoys fashion, spirituality and meditation, playing poker, and volunteering for homeless organizations in downtown Los Angeles. He also loves interacting with his fans on Twitter, in turn dubbing Richards “The Gentleman Tweeter.” An avid traveler, he visits his parents’ native country of Panama, as well as other regions of Central America, Europe and Australia.

##