JR Reed (actor)

JR Reed is an American actor, originally from Corvallis, Oregon. He is primarily known for his association with Jack Black due to featuring in Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006) and Kung Fu Panda (2008). Reed also co-founded the band Trainwreck where he performed as the lead vocalist. He is currently signed to Tlynn Talent Agency.

Reed was born in Corvallis, Oregon, but grew up in Las Vegas, NV where he graduated from Bonanza High School. He would then move to Los Angeles after graduating.

Acting and Music

Reed enrolled in the UCLA School of Theater in 1987 and graduated in 1991. He not long after that joined Tim Robbins' Actors Gang and his first production with the group was the 'Good Woman of Setzuan'. JR met Kyle Gass and also notably knew Jack Black from UCLA previously, this lead for him to get the occupation as the roadie and Spider-Man at early Tenacious D concerts. In 1996, Reed starred in his first film, The Shot. His Actors' Gang production "Kick Ass Militia" won the Backstage West Play Production of the Year award in 1997. In 1999, JR starred in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and in 2000 featured in Tenacious D's TV series as "Lee". In 2001, Reed made appearances in Dead Last and The Anniversary Party. In 2002, JR started a side-project band with Gass called Trainwreck. He can also be seen on The Complete Masterworks Tenacious D concert DVD.

In 2005, Reed featured in a television special of Alias as well as having a part in Living with Fran. In 2006, Reed featured in the Tenacious D film, the Pick of Destiny, he also went on the world tour to support the album as "Satan" and "The Metal" amongst other roles, he would continue these roles at summer festivals a couple of years later, such as Reading and Leeds festivals 2008 and Outside Lands in 2009. He can be seen on The Complete Masterworks Part 2. In late 2009, Reed featured in the viral thanksgiving video, The Sexy Pilgrim and in 2010 Reed featured in Remington's "Keep It Hairy". In 2013, Reed featured as the lead role in "Campus Security", an Internet series, as well as featuring in an episode of Community. In 2014, Reed featured in Nickelodeon's Henry Danger. In 2015, he made his international film debut in the Danish film Klown Forever as himself and the Battle Cat. In the fall of 2015, Reed's signature "The Metal" costume, used on the 2006-2007 world tour, was put on auction by Tenacious D in support of Josh Homme's Sweet Stuff Foundation, to raise funds for the victims and families of the November 2015 Paris attacks. In 2016, Reed featured in Black-ish as a substitute teacher.

Commercial work

Reed's career includes commercial work for Time Warner, Microsoft, TiVO, Carl's Jr, Hardees, Taco Bell, Silk Soy Milk, Tanqueray, Volkswagen, Planter's Nuts and Castrol Motor Oil. His lead role in McDonald's "The Fish Is Back" Filet-O-Fish commercial went viral in 2010. He has also featured in Remington's "Keep it Hairy" and in Muscle Milk's "The Sexy Pilgrim" music videos, both of which feature Reed as the lead role. More recently, Reed featured in a commercial for hotels.com. In 2015, Reed featured in commercials for Rite Aid promoting flu treatment.

Reed lives in Los Angeles.

Film

Television

Discography