Bio
J. August Richards is an American actor best known for his role as street-wise Charles Gunn on the television sci-fi series Angel, from 2000-2004.
He also starred as Marcus McGrath in the legal drama series Raising the Bar, from 2008-2009.
Richards has become a visible favourite in primetime television, starring in the Dick Wolf series Conviction and appearing for several seasons on the Joss Whedon series Angel.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in the Maryland suburb of Bladensburg, Richards discovered his love for acting at an early age. He enrolled in a performing arts high school and appeared in several plays a year.
He was determined to move to Los Angeles to become an actor and applied to only one college: the University of Southern California. Not only was he accepted, but he won numerous scholarships and grants to study theatre.
After graduation, Richards began working steadily in film, television and theatre. He first won recognition and rave reviews for his role in Mark Taper Forum’s production of Space, when he played a rapping bike messenger who believes he is an alien abductee.
Richards also received accolades for his performance in the Old Globe Theatre’s production of Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero.
On the big screen, Richards appeared in the feature films Why Do Fools Fall In Love and Good Burger. He also starred in the television movies Critical Assembly, The Temptations and Mutiny.
In his free time, Richards enjoys painting and writing music. An avid traveler, he enjoys visiting his parents’ native country of Panama, as well as other regions of Central America and Europe.