Frank Anthony Grillo(born June 8, 1965)[2][3]is an American actor. He is known for playingBrock Rumlow / Crossbonesin the superhero franchiseMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU), Sergeant Leo Barnes inThe Purgefranchise,andRick Flag Sr.in theDC Universe(DCU). He has also appeared inWarrior(2011),The Grey(2012),End of Watch(2012),Zero Dark Thirty(2012),Wolf Warrior 2andWheelman(both 2017), andBoss Level(2021).

Frank Grillo
Grillo in 2019
Born
Frank Anthony Grillo

(1965-06-08)June 8, 1965(age 59)
Citizenship
  • United States
  • Italy[1]
Alma materNew York University
OccupationActor
Years active1992–present
Spouses
  • Kathy Grillo
    (m.1991;div.1998)
  • (m.2000;div.2020)
Children3

Grillo's television work includes the lead role inKingdom(2014–2017) and recurring roles inBattery Park(2000),For the People(2002–2003),The Shield(2002–2003),Prison Break(2005–2006),Blind Justice(2005),The Kill Point(2007), andBillions(2020).

Early life

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Grillo was born in New York City to a working-class Italian-American family of Calabrian origin.[4]He was raised inthe Bronxand inRockland County,New York. Grillo beganwrestlingat eight years old, and took up bo xing at eighteen.[5][6]In 1991, he started practicingBrazilian jiu-jitsu,in which he has studied underRickson Gracieand holds a brown belt.[7]Grillo graduated fromNew York Universitywith a business degree and spent a year onWall Streetbefore being asked to do aMiller Genuine Draftbeer commercial.[8][9]On the podcastThe Fighter and the Kid,he stated that he holds Italian citizenship.[1]

Career

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Film

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Grillo(second from right)with his co-stars fromCaptain America: The Winter Soldier

Grillo started his acting career by appearing in commercials, for companies such asAmerican ExpressandSuredeodorant. His first film role was in 1992'sThe Mambo Kings,and he went on to appear in the filmsMinority Report(2002),April's Shower(2006), and bothiMurdersand New Line Cinema'sPride and Gloryin 2008.[10][11][12]

Grillo was in the 2010 horror filmMother's Dayin the role of Daniel Sohapi and the following year, had a supporting role in the 2011 filmWarrioras MMA trainer Frank Campana.[11]In 2012, he played Diaz in the survival thrillerThe GreywithLiam Neesonand as Sarge inEnd of WatchwithJake Gyllenhaal.[11]In 2013, he starred withJaimie Alexanderin the romantic thriller filmCollisionand had a bit role in the action filmHomefrontwithJason Statham.[13]

In 2014, Grillo was cast asHYDRAagentBrock Rumlowin the 2014 filmCaptain America: The Winter Soldier.[14]The same year, he starred as Sergeant Leo Barnes in the sequelThe Purge: Anarchy,and reprised his role in 2016'sThe Purge: Election Year.[15][16]He also reprised the role ofBrock Rumlow/Crossbonesin the third installment of theCaptain Americafilm series,Civil War,which was released on May 6, 2016.[17]

In October 2013, Grillo started filming forThe Crash,starring alongsideAcademy AwardnomineeMinnie Driver,Ed Westwick,AnnaSophia Robb,Dianna Agron,John Leguizamo,Mary McCormack,Christopher McDonaldandMaggie Q.[18]The film is directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, Atit Shah, and Aaron Becker.The Crashwas released on January 31, 2017.[19]

In 2015, Grillo starred in the filmsDemonicandBig Sky.[20][19][21][22]Another film in which he stars,Beyond Skyline,was originally set for release in 2015, and was ultimately released on Netflix in December 2017.[23]

In 2018, Grillo starred oppositeBruce WillisandJohnathon Schaechin the action filmReprisal.Years after its release, the film made it on Netflix's U.S. top five in October 2021.[24]

In 2019,Varietyannounced that Grillo has signed withCreative Artists Agency(CAA) for representation.[25]

Grillo produced and starred inBoss Level,which was announced in November 2017 and was originally scheduled to be released byEntertainment Studios Motion Pictureson August 16, 2019, but was delayed. It was subsequently bought byHulu,which released it on March 5, 2021.[26]He also appeared in the sequelHitman's Wife's BodyguardwithRyan ReynoldsandSamuel L. Jackson.[27]

More recently, he has appeared in the filmsThis Is the NightwithNaomi Watts,CopshopwithGerard Butler,Ida RedwithMelissa Leo,The YachtwithRuby RoseandA Day to DiewithBruce Willis.[28][29][30][31][32]

In June 2024, set photos revealed that Grillo was set to appear in theDC Universe(DCU) filmSupermanasRick Flag Sr.,reprising the role in live-action after debuting as the character in the animated seriesCreature Commandos(2024–present).[33][34]

Television

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Nick Jonas,Joanna Going,Matt Lauria,Grillo andJonathan Tuckerat the premiere of the drama seriesKingdomin October 2014

Grillo first appeared on television in episodes ofSilk Stalkings(1993), andPoltergeist: The Legacy(1996) before being cast as oil tycoonHart Jessupon the daytime soap operaGuiding Lightin 1996 up until 1999.[35]In 2002, he was cast in the seriesFor the Peopleas Det. J.C. Hunter and played Hunter until 2003. One of his more notable television roles was on the crime dramaPrison Breakwhere he playedNick Savrinnfrom 2005 to 2006.[36]During that time, he also appeared on theBlind Justiceas Marty Russo.[11]

He was in the first and only season ofThe Kill Pointin 2007, and played the role of Jimmy in theCSI: NYepisode "The Things About Heroes,"which aired in November 2007.[2][37]In 2010, he starred in the sci-fi seriesThe GatesoppositeMarisol NicholsandRhona Mitra.The series only lasted one season.[38]

Between 2014 and 2017, Grillo starred in theDirecTVdrama seriesKingdomas MMA coach Alvey Kulina alongsideNick JonasandJonathan Tucker.[39]

Grillo was a season 5 regular on the drama seriesBillions,starring as artist Nico Tanner oppositeDamian LewisandMaggie Siff.[40]He also reprised the role of Crossbones by voicing the character on theMarvel Cinematic Universeanimated seriesWhat If...[41]

In 2024, Grillo voicedRick Flag Sr.in theMaxanimated seriesCreature Commandos,the first series and installment of the newDC Universe(DCU) franchise managed byJames GunnandPeter Safran,and a successor to the previousDC Extended Universe(DCEU).[42]Grillo's character, who is the father of DCEU characterRick Flag Jr.,is set to appear across all DCU media, and Grillo was announced in May 2024 to be reprising the role in live-action, appearing as a cast regular for thesecond seasonofPeacemakeroppositeJohn Cena.[43][44]

Personal life

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Grillo married his first wife, Kathy, in 1991. They had one son together, born in 1997, and divorced in 1998.[45][non-primary source needed]

Grillo met actressWendy Monizin 1996 on the set ofGuiding Light.They were married on October 28, 2000[35]and had two sons together, born in 2004 and 2008.[15][46][non-primary source needed]They divorced in 2020.[47]

Filmography

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Grillo atSan Diego Comic-Conin 2013

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 The Mambo Kings Machito
1993 Deadly Rivals Grogan
1996 Deadly Charades Vince Carlucci
2002 Simplicity General Short film
The Sweetest Thing Andy
Minority Report Pre-Crime Cop
2003 April's Shower Rocco
2007 Raw Footage Ben Chaffin Short film
2008 iMurders Joe Romano
Pride and Glory Eddie Carbone
2009 Blue Eyes Bob Estevez
2010 Edge of Darkness Agent One
Mother's Day Daniel Sohapi
My Soul to Take Paterson
2011 Warrior Frank Campana
The Grey John Diaz
2012 Lay the Favorite Frankie
End of Watch Sergeant "Sarge" Daniels
Disconnect Mike
Zero Dark Thirty Red Squadron Commanding Officer
2013 Gangster Squad Russo
Collision Scott Dolan
Homefront Cyrus Hanks
2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier Brock Rumlow
The Purge: Anarchy Sgt. Leo Barnes
2015 Demonic Mark Lewis
Big Sky Jesse
2016 Captain America: Civil War Brock Rumlow / Crossbones
The Purge: Election Year Sgt. Leo Barnes
2017 The Crash Guy Clifton
Stephanie Eric
Wolf Warrior 2 Big Daddy
Wheelman Wheelman
Beyond Skyline Mark Corley
2018 Reprisal Jacob Direct-to-video
Donnybrook Chainsaw Angus
2019 Avengers: Endgame Brock Rumlow
Point Blank Abraham "Abe" Guevara
Into the Ashes Sloan
Black and Blue Terry Malone
Hell on the Border Bob Dozier
2020 Boss Level Roy Pulver
Jiu Jitsu Harrigan
2021 No Man's Land Bill Greer
Cosmic Sin Gen. Eron Ryle Direct-to-video
Body Brokers Vin
Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard Bobby O'Neill
Ida Red Dallas Walker
The Gateway Duke
Copshop Teddy Murretto
This Is the Night Vincent Dedea
2022 Stowaway Meeser [48]
Shattered Sebastian
A Day to Die Capt. Brice Mason Direct-to-video
Paradise Highway Dennis [49]
Operation Seawolf Cmdr. Race Ingram [50]
Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend Ferruccio Lamborghini [51]
2023 Little Dixie Doc Alexander [52]
The Resurrection of Charles Manson Robert [53]
One Day as a Lion Pauly Russo [54]
Black Lotus Saban [55]
Justice League: Warworld Agent Faraday Voice[56]
MR-9: Do or Die Roman Ross [57]
King of Killers Jorg Drakos [58]
2024 Lights Out Michael 'Duffy' Duffield [59]
Die Alone Kai
Long Gone Heroes Gunner
Hounds of War Ryder
Werewolves Wesley Marshall
2025 Superman Rick Flag Sr.
TBA Hard Matter Benjamin
Untitled sixth Purge Film Sgt. Leo Barnes
Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1993 Silk Stalkings Franco LaPuma Episode: "Ladies Night Out"
1996 Poltergeist: The Legacy Jerry Tate Episode: "Ghost in the Road"
1996–1999 Guiding Light Hart Jessup Main role
1999 Wasteland Cliff Dobbs Recurring role
2000 Battery Park Anthony Stigliano Main role
2002 Hunter: Return to Justice Detective Terence Gillette Television film
2002–2003 For the People Det. J.C. Hunter Main role
The Shield Officer Paul Jackson Recurring role (Season 1–2)
2002, 2009 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Frank Barbarossa / Mark Van Kuren Episode: "Deception", "Transitions"
2003 Karen Sisco Garrison Kick Episode: "Nostalgia"
Hunter: Back in Force Detective Terence Gillette Television film
2004 The District Vince Dymecki Episode: "Breath of Life"
2005 Blind Justice Detective Marty Russo Main role
2005–2006 Prison Break Nick Savrinn Recurring role (Season 1)
2006 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gary Sinclair Episode: "Happenstance"
Hollis & Rae Henry Callaway Television film
2007 Without a Trace Neil Rawlings Episode: "Tail Spin"
Las Vegas Jeremy Shapiro Episode: "The Burning Bedouin"
The Kill Point Albert Roman / Mr. Pig Main role
CSI: NY Jimmie Davis Episode: "The Thing About Heroes..."
2008 The Madness of Jane Oliver Cornbluth Television film
Blue Blood Quarry
2010 The Gates Nick Monohan Main role
2011 Breakout Kings Agent Stoltz Episode: "Queen of Hearts"
2013 Mary and Martha Peter Television film
2014–2017 Kingdom Alvey Kulina Main role
2018 FightWorld Himself / Host Main host
2020 Billions Nico Tanner Recurring role (Season 5)
2021, 2023 What If...? Brock Rumlow Voice
Recurring role (Season 1); guest (Season 2)
2023 Paul T. Goldman Dan Hardwick Recurring role[60]
2024 Tulsa King Bill Bevilaqua Main role (Season 2)
2024–present Creature Commandos Rick Flag Sr. Voice, main role
2025 Peacemaker Main role (Season 2)
Key
Denotes series that have not yet been released

References

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  1. ^abSchaub, Brendan;Callen, Bryan(October 4, 2017)."The Fighter and The Kid – Episode 298: Frank Grillo"(Podcast).The Fighter and the Kid.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 5,2019– via YouTube.
  2. ^abRyan, Mike (June 16, 2014)."Frank Grillo: On the Verge With 'The Purge: Anarchy' and Returning For 'Captain America 3' Read More: Frank Grillo: On the Verge With 'The Purge: Anarchy' and Returning For 'Captain America 3'".Screen Crush.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.SC: You don't look 50. FG: I'm actually not really 50. SC: You aren't? FG: It's OK, I don't mind people saying that I'm 50. But, no, I was born in 1965 and IMDb has 1963. Whatever. I'm still old. I just had a birthday.
  3. ^Grillo, Frank [@FrankGrillo] (June 8, 2014)."Thanks all for the B-Day wishes. Much love and appreciation!!!"(Tweet). Archived fromthe originalon May 1, 2016 – viaTwitter.
  4. ^"Questions & Answers: April 15, 2006".Frank Grillo's Official Website. April 15, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon December 25, 2008.RetrievedMarch 15,2012.Yes, I am Italian and that is where my family is from also. In fact many of my relatives still live there. Maybe we are related.
  5. ^Frank Grillo's FightCharles Thorp,Men's Journal
  6. ^Grillo 'Em All: The Rise of a Hollywood Tough GuyRafe Barthomomew,Grantland(October 8, 2014)
  7. ^Frank Grillo Is Staying Ripped After 50Sean Hyson,Muscle & Fitness
  8. ^Moniz, Jean M."Biography".Frank-Grillo.Frank Grillo's Official Website. Archived fromthe originalon August 29, 2008.RetrievedMarch 15,2012.
  9. ^Jacquin, Jeri (January 26, 2012)."FRANK GRILLO: The Grey".Military Press. Archived fromthe originalon February 15, 2016.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  10. ^Southern, Nathan (2015)."Frank Grillo – About This Person".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 2,2015.
  11. ^abcdGrierson, Tim (July 16, 2014)."The Long-Delayed Success of Frank Grillo".Backstage.RetrievedJanuary 2,2015.
  12. ^Buchanan, Jason (2015)."IMurders (2009) Review Summary".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 2,2015.
  13. ^Longsdorf, Amy (July 12, 2014)."Frank Grillo: from soap fave to leading man".Times Leader.Archived fromthe originalon December 31, 2014.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  14. ^Graser, Marc (October 29, 2012)."Frank Grillo to play Crossbones in 'Captain America' sequel".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 1, 2012.RetrievedOctober 29,2012.
  15. ^abSamantha Highfill on (December 18, 2014)."We spend a day with Frank Grillo, Hollywood's one-two punch".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  16. ^Frank Grillo Returning For Another 'Purge'!
  17. ^Highfill, Samantha (November 24, 2014)."Frank Grillo talks Crossbones' return in 'Captain America: Civil War'".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  18. ^Kroll, Justin (October 29, 2013)."'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.
  19. ^abKroll, Justin (October 29, 2013)."'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
  20. ^Nemiroff, Perri (June 14, 2014)."Frank Grillo Talks KINGDOM, His Involvement in THE RAID Remake, the Potential for More Rumlow / Crossbones in CAPTAIN AMERICA 3, and More".Collider.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  21. ^Lang, Brent (November 7, 2014)."Frank Grillo to Star in 'Beyond Skyline'".Variety.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  22. ^Trumbore, Dave (October 10, 2013)."Bella Thorne and Kyra Sedgwick Tackle BIG SKY".Collider.RetrievedJanuary 6,2015.
  23. ^"'Beyond Skyline': Film Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.December 13, 2017.RetrievedDecember 13,2017.
  24. ^Schonter, Allison (October 31, 2021)."Bruce Willis Heist Movie Forces Its Way Into Netflix's Top 10".Popculture.RetrievedOctober 31,2021.
  25. ^Kroll, Justin (March 25, 2019)."Frank Grillo Signs With CAA (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedAugust 7,2019.
  26. ^Wiseman, Andreas (November 23, 2020)."Hulu Strikes U.S. Deal For Frank Grillo Action Sci-Fi Movie 'Boss Level'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 23,2020.
  27. ^White, James (March 3, 2019)."Frank Grillo Takes Aim At The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard".Empire.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  28. ^"'Boss Level' star Frank Grillo talks facing bullets and brutality in film's murder mystery ".Orange County Register.February 24, 2021.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  29. ^McNary, Dave (September 1, 2020)."Gerard Butler, Frank Grillo Starring in Police Drama 'Copshop'".Variety.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  30. ^Wiseman, Andreas (August 26, 2020)."'Ida Red': Frank Grillo, Melissa Leo & Josh Hartnett Lead Cast In Action-Thriller Shot During The Pandemic ".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  31. ^Kay, Jeremy (June 1, 2021)."Voltage boards sales on Ruby Rose, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Frank Grillo thriller 'The Yacht' (exclusive)".Screen.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  32. ^N'Duka, Amanda (May 12, 2021)."Vertical Entertainment Acquires 'A Day to Die' Starring Frank Grillo & Bruce Willis".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  33. ^Chaudhry, Anubhav (November 27, 2024)."Here's Why Frank Grillo's Hair is Black in Superman & White in Creature Commandos".Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News – SuperHeroHype.RetrievedDecember 11,2024.
  34. ^"Frank Grillo Shares Surprising, Spoilery New Details About Rick Flag Sr.'s SUPERMAN And PEACEMAKER Roles".ComicBookMovie.November 29, 2024.RetrievedDecember 11,2024.
  35. ^abLipton, Michael A. (May 20, 2002)."Fighting Glad".People.Archived fromthe originalon December 31, 2014.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  36. ^Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2010)."'Prison Break' actor joins ABC's 'Gates'".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJanuary 2,2015.
  37. ^Vancheri, Barbara (July 17, 2014)."Frank Grillo is out for revenge in 'The Purge: Anarchy'".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedJanuary 2,2015.
  38. ^Kit, Borys (May 2, 2011)."'The Gates' Actor Frank Grillo Cast in 'Lay the Favorite' (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJanuary 2,2015.
  39. ^Dionne, Zach (October 28, 2014)."Nick Jonas' 'Kingdom' Costar Frank Grillo Refused to Work With Him, At First".Billboard.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  40. ^Petski, Denise (December 16, 2019)."'Billions': Frank Grillo To Recur In Season 5 Of Showtime Series ".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  41. ^"Exclusive: Frank Grillo Returning to MCU as Crossbones in 'What If...?'".Collider.January 11, 2021.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  42. ^Gonzalez, Umberto (April 12, 2023)."Frank Grillo to Play the DCU's Rick Flag in 'Creature Commandos' (Exclusive)".TheWrap.RetrievedApril 12,2023.
  43. ^Moreau, Jordan (May 10, 2024)."Frank Grillo Joins 'Peacemaker' Season 2 as Rick Flag Sr".Variety.RetrievedDecember 11,2024.
  44. ^Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 11, 2024)."Peacemaker Season 2 Footage Shows First Look at Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr".IGN.RetrievedDecember 11,2024.
  45. ^Grillo, Frank (July 25, 2014)."Me and my #1 son remy_grillo chillin in Cali".Frank Grillo's Verified Twitter.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  46. ^Grillo, Frank (December 27, 2014)."Liam and Rio discussing why daddy doesn't have a driver for them".Frank Grillo's Verified Twitter.RetrievedDecember 31,2014.
  47. ^"Frank Grillo and Actress Wendy Moniz Divorce After 19 Years of Marriage".People.RetrievedApril 19,2020.
  48. ^Kay, Jeremy (June 1, 2021)."Voltage boards sales on Ruby Rose, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Frank Grillo thriller 'The Yacht' (exclusive)".ScreenDaily.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  49. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 19, 2021)."Lionsgate Boards Juliette Binoche, Frank Grillo & Morgan Freeman Thriller 'Paradise Highway'".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  50. ^Ritman, Alex (June 22, 2021)."Cannes: Dolph Lundgren, Frank Grillo Set Sail in U-Boat Actioner 'Operation Seawolf' (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  51. ^Wiseman, Andreas (September 22, 2021)."Gabriel Byrne & Mira Sorvino Join Lamborghini Biopic Starring Frank Grillo; Filming Underway In Italy".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  52. ^Grobar, Matt (January 11, 2022)."Paramount Pictures Acquires Rights To John Swab's Action-Thriller 'Little Dixie' Starring Frank Grillo".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  53. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 22, 2022)."Frank Grillo Sets Horror Thriller 'Man's Son' Inspired By California Desert Occult Activity".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  54. ^Long, Lacy (June 29, 2022)."J.K. Simmons, Frank Grillo, Virginia Madsen Board Crime Drama 'One Day as a Lion'".Collider.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  55. ^Grobar, Matt (July 15, 2022)."Frank Grillo Boards Action-Thriller 'Black Lotus' From Director Todor Chapkanov".Deadline.RetrievedNovember 8,2022.
  56. ^"'Justice League: Warworld' Cast Unveiled (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.April 27, 2023.
  57. ^Wiseman, Andreas (June 10, 2022)."Frank Grillo To Star In Action Movie 'MR-9', Filming To Begin Imminently In U.S. & Bangladesh".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  58. ^Ritman, Alex (February 16, 2022)."Frank Grillo Joins 'Underworld' Creator Kevin Grevioux's Action-Adventure 'King of Killers'".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  59. ^Wiseman, Andreas (January 27, 2022)."Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer, Scott Adkins & Dermot Mulroney Set For Action Movie 'Lights Out'".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
  60. ^Campione, Katie (June 10, 2022)."Untitled Jason Woliner Project Adds Rosanna Arquette, Melinda McGraw and More at Peacock".Yahoo!.RetrievedJuly 5,2022.
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