| Justin Pierce | |
|---|---|
| Born | Justin Charles Pierce March 21, 1975 London, England[1] |
| Died | July 10, 2000 (aged 25) Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Spouse | Gina Rizzo (1999–2000) |
Justin Charles Pierce (March 21, 1975 – July 10, 2000) was an English-born American actor
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Born in London, England to a Welsh mother and an American father of English descent, Pierce was brought up in the Marble Hill section of New York City. He attended P.S. 7 in the Bronx for Elementary School and J.H.S. 141 in the Riverdale section of the Bronx for Junior High School. Pierce's parents divorced when he was 15. After his parents' divorce, he began acting out by stealing cigarettes and food and skipping school in favor of skateboarding. Pierce soon quit school and moved out, staying in a basement of a building with fellow skaters. Pierce was later arrested for the possession of marijuana and heroin under his pants in a police road search. The results in the court hearing were found inconclusive which resulted in the release of Pierce. He went back to live with his parents at age 19.[1]
While skateboarding in Washington Square Park, Pierce was discovered by film director Larry Clark, who cast him in his controversial 1995 film Kids.[1] After the success of Kids, Pierce won an Independent Spirit Award for his portrayal of Casper, the profane and very heavily drug-addicted skateboarder friend of Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), and relocated to Los Angeles. Pierce would go on to appear in the 1997 film A Brother's Kiss as the young Nick Chinlund. Pierce also appeared in television movies including 1997's First Time Felon, and the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. He also starred alongside Ice Cube and Mike Epps in the motion picture Next Friday as the film's tritagonist Roach.[2] He was going to reprise his role in the sequel, Friday After Next, but he committed suicide before production began.
Pierce's last on screen appearance was in the 2002 film Looking for Leonard, which was released after his death. The film was dedicated to his memory.[3]
In 1999, Pierce married stylist Gina Rizzo in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]
On July 10, 2000, Pierce was found hanging in his room at the Bellagio Hotel by hotel security. It was confirmed that the death was a suicide.[4][5] The following day, a Catholic memorial service for Pierce was held at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Manhattan's Little Italy.[1]
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1995 | Kids | Casper | |
| 1997 | A Brother's Kiss | Young Lex | |
| 1998 | Wild Horses | Rookie | Alternative title: Lunch Time Special |
| Myth America | |||
| Freak Weather | Pizza Guy | ||
| 1999 | Too Pure | Leo | |
| Out in Fifty | Freddy | ||
| Pigeonholed | Devon | ||
| The Big Tease | Skateboard Kid | ||
| 2000 | Next Friday | Roach | |
| King of the Jungle | Lil' Mafia | ||
| BlackMale | Luther Wright | Alternative title: Blackmail | |
| 2002 | Looking for Leonard | Chevy | Released posthumously |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | First Time Felon | Eddie | Television movie |
| 2000 | This Is How the World Ends | Zombie | Television movie |
| Malcolm in the Middle | Justin | 2 episodes | |
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Independent Spirit Awards | Won | Best Debut Performance | Kids |