Bio
Mitch Pileggi is an American actor best for his role as FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner on the science fiction television series The X-Files, from 1994-2002.
He landed a guest-starring appearance in its first season which extended into a recurring role, becoming a series regular in the show's third year. Pileggi earned three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations in a row as part of the acclaimed ensemble.
He also stars as Harris Ryland, Ann Ewing's manipulative and cunning ex-husband, in the television drama series Dallas, from 2012-2014. Originally a recurring role, he was promoted to a series regular in Season 2.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Pileggi lived in Turkey, Germany and Saudi Arabia as a teenager, due to his father's profession as a defence contractor.
After two years in Iran, he lived briefly in Austin, Texas, taking part in a series of regional theatre productions as an actor and set builder while also supporting himself as a carpenter, cab driver and janitor.
Among his most memorable stage appearances during that time were Lonestar, Bent, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar (as Pilate), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and Buried Child.
Pileggi moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time. His varied roles include the 1984 Spanish production of Río abajo (On the Line) with David Carradine and the lead in Wes Craven's Shocker, as well as performances in Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct, Takedown, Three O'Clock High, the feature film The X-Files and the crime thriller Gun Shy, opposite Liam Neeson and Sandra Bullock.
He also starred in Tarzan for The Warner Brothers.
On television, he starred in numerous television movies, including Knight Rider 2000, Raven Hawk, Night Visions and 1st to Die - based on the James Patterson novel.
Pileggi has also hosted the specials Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed and Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon?
Among his numerous guest-starring appearances are China Beach, Falcon Crest, Dallas, ER, Dharma & Greg and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.