Rich Wilkes
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Rich_Wilkes_in_Airheads.jpg/220px-Rich_Wilkes_in_Airheads.jpg)
Richard "Rich" Wilkes(born 1966) is an Americanfilmmakerand musician. His work is noted for its rooting in contemporary music and youth culture.
Works
[edit]As Screenwriter
[edit]Wilkes' major-studio debut was as screenwriter of the 1994 filmAirheads.The story revolves around a group of loser musicians called The Lone Rangers who take a radio station hostage to get their song played on the radio.Airheadswas directed byMichael Lehmannand distributed by20th Century Fox.
This was followed by a co-writer credit (alongside directorJames Melkonian) for the 1994 comedyThe Stoned Age,set in thestonersubculture of Southern California during the 1970s.
The same writing and directing team then collaborated withThe Jerky Boysto create the 1995 productionThe Jerky Boys: The Movie,featuring the eponymous comedians (self-described as "low-lifes from Queens" ) as New York City youths who get into trouble with the Mafia when one of their prank calls leads them into a money laundering business.
Wilkes is credited as the sole screenwriter for the 2002 action-adventure filmXXXand has a "based on characters created by" credit for theXXXfilm series.
Wilkes co-wrote theMötley CrüebiopicThe Dirt,based on the New York Times bestselling book byNeil Straussand Mötley Crüe. The film took 17 years to get made.David Fincherwas initially attached to direct in 2004, followed byLarry Charlesin 2008.
As Writer/Director
[edit]In 1995, Wilkes debuted as a director withGlory Daze,a semi-autobiographical tale based on his experiences as a student at theUniversity of California, Santa Cruz.[1]
Other Film Work
[edit]Wilkes has also appeared as an actor in the majority of his productions, primarily in minor roles. He has also appeared as himself in several documentaries, including the 1998 productionIndependent's Day,2003'sThe Blockbuster Imperativeand 2006'sPunk Like Me.
As Musician
[edit]Wilkes was the lead singer of the "world's original punk rock mariachi band" Carne Asada. The band was put together as a prank to get on theVans Warped Tour.The story of Carne Asada was told in the award winning music documentaryPunk Like Me.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/PunkLikeMe_Poster-5000x7100-RGB.jpg/220px-PunkLikeMe_Poster-5000x7100-RGB.jpg)
Personal life
[edit]Wilkes was born inPrinceton, New Jersey.He attendedEl Camino High SchoolinOceanside, California.He obtained a BA from theUniversity of California, Santa Cruz,then studied screenwriting at theAmerican Film Institute.
Filmography
[edit]Films
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Bulletproof 2 | Co-Writer and Story by | |
2019 | The Dirt | Co-Writer | |
2017 | XXX: Return of Xander Cage | Writer (characters) | |
2013 | XXX(short) | Writer (characters) | |
2008 | Art House, Vol. 1: Basic Shapes and Animals | Executive Producer | |
2006 | Punk Like Me | Self, Rico Suave | Actor, Writer, Executive Producer |
2005 | XXX: State of the Union | Writer (characters) | |
2003 | Men of Action(short) | The Director | Actor |
2002 | XXX | Tall Guy | Creator, Writer, Actor |
1995 | Glory Daze | Writer, Director | |
The Jerky Boys: The Movie | Co-Writer | ||
1994 | The Stoned Age | Co-Writer, Actor | |
Airheads | Corduroy Rocker | Writer, Actor |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Vegas Dick(pilot) | Writer, Executive Producer | |
2001 | Beer Money(movie) | Nick the Hollywood Snake | Writer, Actor, Executive Producer |
1999 | Fear of a Punk Planet(series) | Director (pilot) |
References
[edit]- ^"Interview with actor Garret Wang:"Glory Dazewas his homage to his college days at Santa Cruz. "".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-05-09.Retrieved2008-07-19.