Richard T. Jones
A versatile character actor whose steady presence as a principled authority figure has anchored hit TV dramas for over two decades.
Born 1972 (age 54)·American actor·Birthday: January 16·Generation X
Biography
Richard T. Jones built a career on being the reliable, grounded center in chaotic fictional worlds. Born in Japan to a military family, he moved frequently before settling in Carson, California. His break came with a recurring role on 'Ally McBeal,' but it was his six-season run as Bruce Van Exel on 'Judging Amy' that established his signature blend of warmth and quiet intensity. Unlike many actors who chase leading-man status, Jones carved out a niche as the indispensable supporting player, bringing depth to law enforcement and professional roles. His tenure as Lieutenant Wade Grey on 'The Rookie' showcases his mastery of this archetype—a stern but fair mentor whose moral compass guides the squad. With a filmography spanning comedies, thrillers, and procedurals, his consistency and commanding voice have made him a familiar and trusted face in American living rooms.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Richard was born in 1972, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Richard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1972
#1 Movie
The Godfather
Best Picture
The Godfather
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Richard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1972Born
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1977Started school
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1985Became a teenager
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1988Could drive
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1990Could vote
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Turned 21
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2002Turned 30
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 40
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 50
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 54 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played Bruce Van Exel for over 130 episodes across six seasons of the CBS drama 'Judging Amy'.
- Has held a series regular role as Lieutenant Wade Grey on the hit ABC drama 'The Rookie' since 2018.
- Appeared in a wide range of film projects, from the comedy 'Why Did I Get Married?' to the action film 'Phone Booth'.
- Portrayed DEA Agent James 'Kiki' Camarena in the second season of the Netflix series 'Narcos'.
Did You Know?
His father was a member of the famous Motown group The Originals.
He was born on a U.S. military base in Kobe, Japan.
He is an ordained minister.
He played college basketball at the University of Oregon and Santa Monica College.
“I look for the man inside the badge, the person inside the uniform.”
