Ned Luke
| Ned Luke | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 4, 1958 Danville, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Spouse(s) | Amy Sax (m. 1997) |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | |
|
www | |
Ned Luke (born October 4, 1958) is an American actor, best known for his role as Michael De Santa in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V[1] as well as his role as Raffles in the animated movie Rover Dangerfield. Over his three decade career, he has appeared in 29 movies and television shows.
Early life
Ned Luke was born in Danville, Illinois to Cindy (née Smith) Luke and Fred Luke. He is the grandson of Golden Age actor Paul Birch.[2] He graduated from Danville High School in 1977 where he was a bi-sport athlete and honor student. He later attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. He has four siblings.
Career
Luke's first major voice-over role was in Rover Dangerfield, where he played a sheepdog named Raffles opposite Rodney Dangerfield. He was cast as a guest star in several TV shows throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and has appeared in about 100 television commercials featuring products such as Budweiser and Burger King.
In 2007, having grown disenchanted with show business and desiring that his son experience where he grew up, Luke decided to take a break from acting and moved his family from Los Angeles to his hometown of Danville, Illinois, where he opened a restaurant with his brother. After two years, he decided to return to acting and he and his family returned to New York. Back in the city for only a couple of months, his agent suggested he audition for the role of one of three protagonists of Rockstar Games' newest entry in the popular Grand Theft Auto series. Luke initially balked at the idea of being in a video game, but after reading the script decided to proceed with the audition.[3] He was eventually cast as one of the game's three protagonists, Michael de Santa. The game went on to set several sales records and has become the highest grossing video game in history.
Personal life
Luke married yoga instructor and part-time actress Amy Sax on November 12, 1997. They have one son, born in 2002, and live in Westchester County, New York.[4] Luke is nearly deaf in his right ear.[5]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Unfiltered | Randolph Wiley | Lead role |
| 2013 | Boardwalk Empire | Boorish Man | Episode: "All In" |
| 2009 | Katana | Executive | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2005 | Law & Order | Ken Cosgrove | Episode: "New York Minute" |
| 2005 | Jonny Zero | Officer Muncie | Episode: "To Serve and to Protect" |
| 2005 | As the World Turns | Detective Langstrom | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Third Watch | Ron Connely | Episode "Greatest Detective In The World" |
| 2002 - 2013 | Law & Order: SVU | Mr. Thurber/Roger Swanson/Mr. Wilmont | 3 episodes |
| 2002 - 2005 | All My Children | Fire Chief/Private Investigator | 3 episodes |
| 2000 | The Pretender | David Arnold | Episode: "Junk" Credited as Ned von Leuck |
| 2000 | Diagnosis Murder | Timmons | Episode: "The Patient Detective" Credited as Ned von Leuck |
| 2000 | The Huntress | Detective Ellard | Episode: "The Kid" |
| 2000 | JAG | Officer Bracken | Episode: "Drop Zone" Credited as Ned von Leuck |
| 1999 | City Guys | Lonnie Collins | Episode: "Miracle on 134th Street and Lexington Avenue" |
| 1999 | General Hospital | Bodyguard | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | High Incident | Gary Butterworth | Episode: "Remote Control" |
| 1997 | The Burning Zone | Officer #2 | Episode: "Critical Mass" |
| 1996 | Renegade | Andy Warwick | Episode: "The Milk Carton Kid" |
| 1996 | Murder One | Conspiracy Guy | Episode: "Chapter Eleven" |
| 1995 | NYPD Blue | Lawyer | Episode: "Cold Heaters" |
| 1994 | Guiding Light | Sheriff | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | Angel Street | Officer | Episode: "The Blonde in the Pond" |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Citation of Merit | Sergeant Smith | |
| 1997 | On the Line | Officer Al | |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor | Construction Worker | Uncredited |
| 1991 | Rover Dangerfield | Raffles | Supporting role |
| 1984 | The Bear | Football Player |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | Michael De Santa | Voice and mo-cap |
References
- ↑ "Preview: 'GTA V' actor Ned Luke talks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "Ned Luke : Trivia". IMDb.com. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "Interview: Crime pays for 'Grand Theft Auto V' actors". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ↑ John Gaudiosi (3 October 2013). "Grand Theft Auto V actors think their game is violent, and that's okay". TechHive. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "Gaming Trivia #33: Grand Theft Auto V". Trueachievements.com. Retrieved 13 November 2014.