Once a staple of teenage bedroom posters and prime-time TV screens, Richard Grieco is taking on a very different spotlight these days.
The 60-year-old former actor and model, best known for his roles in 21 Jump Street and Booker, has spent the past decade-plus immersed in the art world—and recently popped up in Los Angeles looking stylish and very much in his element.
Making a Return to the Red Carpet
Grieco was spotted earlier this week at the Sketch movie premiere in L.A., dressed in all-black with a rocker edge—black cap, dark shirt, and matching trousers.
He shared a moment from the event on Instagram, thanking Angel Studios and giving a shoutout to Terry Crews.
“It’s a movie to bring the whole family to,” he wrote, calling the film uplifting and heartwarming.
From Soap Operas to the Big Screen
Before he became a household name as Detective Dennis Booker alongside Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street, Grieco was actually making waves in the fashion world.
He modeled for big names like Armani, Calvin Klein, and Chanel.
His acting break came in the ’80s as Rick Gardner on One Life to Live.
He later reprised his Booker role in 22 Jump Street (2014), sharing the screen with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.
And let’s not forget his roles in Mobsters—where he played a young Bugsy Siegel opposite Christian Slater and Patrick Dempsey—or his debut in If Looks Could Kill.
A Life Beyond Acting
Grieco didn’t limit himself to screen appearances.
In the mid-’90s, he dipped into music, forming the Dunmire Band and even signing with a German label.
His album Waiting for the Sky to Fall was released in 1995, showcasing his creative reach beyond Hollywood.
And then came painting—something he had quietly been doing since the early ’90s.
Encouraged by the late Dennis Hopper, Grieco made his art public in 2009, revealing a new passion: Abstract Emotionalism.
The Artist Behind the Canvas
Now a full-time painter, Grieco describes his art style as a fusion of abstract, surrealism, expressionism, and cubism.
According to his website, he’s poured his energy into his creative work, choosing to live under the radar to focus more on his paintings than public appearances.
Collectors and fans around the world now know him less as the edgy TV detective and more as a serious, introspective artist.
His Hollywood Dating History
Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, Grieco was also known for his high-profile dating life.
He reportedly dated stars like Christina Applegate, Yasmine Bleeth, Terry Farrell, Stephanie Niznik, Kimber Sissons, and Katie Wagner—a lineup that made headlines just as often as his career moves.
A Rough Moment in 2019
Not all of Grieco’s headlines have been glamorous, though.
In 2019, he was briefly taken into custody for public intoxication at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport.
Reports claimed he appeared drunk and was yelling at airline staff, allegedly after drinking cranberry vodkas before his flight.
Grieco admitted to the drinks when questioned by police, according to sources.
Still Standing, Still Creating
Despite the occasional bump in the road, Grieco’s journey from TV fame to fine art is undeniably fascinating.
From modeling and acting to music and painting, he’s evolved through decades in the spotlight—and seems more comfortable than ever in his creative skin.
He may not be chasing Hollywood fame anymore, but Richard Grieco is still making art, making appearances, and doing things his own way.