Although the subject is a bit depressing (the apocalypse), CBS certain seems to have a hit on its hands with the new show “Jericho.” It is my favorite fall show, even though each episode is so edgy that I usually spend the whole hour biting my nails. One of the main reasons I decided to tune in to begin with was its star, Skeet Ulrich.
I didn’t realize it until I started researching Skeet’s movie career, but I have seen many of his movies since he first started acting. I saw his third film The Craft, where he played bad guy Chris Hooker, at the theater. I thought he was great in this role. Of course, his slight resemblance to once of my favorite actors, Johnny Depp, made me sit up and take notice of him.
His sixth film was Albino Alligator, a film that has an all-star cast including Gary Sinise, Faye Dunaway, Matt Dillon, William Fichtner, Joe Mantegna, and Viggo Mortensen. Of course, Skeet’s next film was one of my all time favorites – Scream. His character “Billy” was such a great villain in this classic horror movie. Skeet had a small role in the award winning films As Good As It Gets. In case you saw it and forgot, he played Vincent, one of the guys that rob and beat up Simon (Greg Kinnear).
After making several forgettable films in the late 90s, Skeet dropped out of Hollywood in 2001. Why? He took time off after the birth of his twins, son Jakob Dylan, and daughter, Naiia Rose. He and then wife Georgina Cates moved near Charleston, VA to raise their children. But, in 2005, the marriage ended and Skeet decided to return to Hollywood.
I hope “Jericho” continues to be a big hit for Skeet. He has been in many high profile movies, but somehow, stardom has always seemed to slip through his hands. Maybe this is his time.
Skeet Ulrich Facts:
His nickname is short for “Skeeter.” His Little League coach said he was tiny, like a mosquito.
Skeet had open-heart surgery at the age of 10 to correct a defect. He still has the scar today.
He studied marine biology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.