Nationality British Name Justin Pierce Role Actor | Years active 1995–2000 Spouse Gina Rizzo (m. 1999–2000) Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Known for Kids | |
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Full Name Justin Charles Pierce Parents James Pierce, Meryl Pierce Movies Kids, Next Friday, A Brother's Kiss, First Time Felon, Blackmale Similar People | ||
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Justin Charles Pierce (March 21, 1975 – July 10, 2000) was a British actor and a skateboarder who grew up in the US. He is best known for his roles as Casper in the 1995 film Kids and as Roach in the 2000 film Next Friday. On July 10, 2000, Pierce committed suicide in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Early life
Pierce was born in London, England to a Welsh mother and an Australian father, Pierce was brought up in the Marble Hill section of New York City. Pierce's mother and adoptive father divorced when he was 15.
After his parents' divorce, he began stealing cigarettes and food and skipping school in favor of skateboarding. Pierce soon quit school and moved out, staying in a "warren of rooms" in a basement of a building on 176th street, that was "teeming" with fellow skaters. Pierce was later arrested for the possession of marijuana and heroin under his pants in a police road search.
Career
Justin Pierce was a member of the original Zoo York skateboard team, and is featured in the Zoo York 'Mixtape' video (1998), magazines and adverts for the company. He was also a member of the original 'Supreme Crew' along with fellow Zoo York team riders and close friends Harold Hunter, Peter Bici, et al. In his memory Supreme have released featured images of his Skateboarding (taken by photographer Ari Marcopoulos) in their clothing lines and publications. Promotional footage of Pierce and the 'Supreme Crew' skateboarding has recently surfaced on the Supreme New York website While skateboarding in Washington Square Park, Pierce was discovered by film director Larry Clark, who cast him in his controversial 1995 film Kids. After the success of Kids, Pierce won an Independent Spirit Award for his portrayal of Casper, the profane and drug-addicted skateboarder friend of Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), and relocated to Los Angeles.
He 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. He also starred alongside Ice Cube and Mike Epps in the film Next Friday as Roach. 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.
Personal life
In 1999, Pierce married stylist Gina Rizzo in Las Vegas, Nevada. He had two pit bull dogs, Isis and Mr. Jones.
Death
On July 10, 2000, Pierce was found hanging in his room at the Bellagio Hotel by hotel security. His death was determined to be a suicide. Two suicide notes were reported to be found which have not been released to the public. The following day, a Catholic memorial service for Pierce was held at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Manhattan's Little Italy.