Russell Hornsby
Character: Hank Griffin
DOB: 1974 – Oakland, California
Russell Hornsby was born in Oakland, California, 1974. He studied at St. Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, California, where he was a football player. He was very interested and involved in theatre and acting, eventually landing the role of the Scarecrow in The Wiz.. After graduating high school, he attended Boston University, where he studied theater, and graduated with a degree in performance. Later, Hornsby continued his studies at Oxford University’s British Academy of Dramatic Arts.
After school, he moved to New York and started his acting career in leading roles in Off Broadway productions. In the late 1990s, he moved to Los Angeles to work in television and film. He guest starred in Gideon’s Crossing, Grey’s Anatomy, Law& Order, ESPN’s drama series Playmakers, Suits, In Treatment, among others. In film, he appeared in Big Fat Liar, After The Sunset, Meet The Parents, among others. In 2000, he won a Drama Desk Award and an Obie Award in the Off-Broadway production of Jitney. From 2007 to 2009, he played police officer Eddie Sutton, the lead role on the ABC Family television drama series Lincoln Heights. In 2011, he landed the role of Hank Griffin, the detective partner of Nick Burkhardt, on NBC’s Grimm.
Fun facts:
In 2013, Russell Hornsby suffered an Achilles Tendon injury while watching the Super Bowl, so his character on Grimm had to be written out for two episodes toward the end of last season to underwent surgery.
I like russel be is a good actor and like his role in the grimm
I know I’m late, but with the covid-19 lockdown I decided to rewatch Grimm. As such I remembered how much I like Russell. Excellent acting, believable and effortless. I think most characters fit their role, but I’m not sure if I’d enjoy Grimm as much without Russle
Amen! My sentiment exactly!!
I knew there was something odd about his character being on crutches for multiple episodes in the second season! Happy to know it was just a tendon and he was ok after surgery. Watching Grimm myself during quarantine – what a great show! I love most of the characters including Hank!!
I also agree with the sentiment regarding Hank’s role on Grimm. He added significantly to the show and it wasn’t the same when he was gone.