Familiar to audiences from his role in the hit feature film "Coach Carter," Rick Gonzalez now stars in The CW's drama "Reaper" as Ben, the son of a reverend, who aids his friend Sam (Bret Harrison) in his quest to capture escaped souls from Hell.

Gonzalez will next be seen in a lead role in the highly anticipated thriller "Illegal Tender," from producer John Singleton and writer/director Franc. Reyes. The movie tracks a young Latino man (Gonzalez) on the run to clear his family name and save his mother's (Wanda De Jesus) life. Most recently, he appeared in the supernatural thriller "Pulse," a film about a web site hoax that turns deadly. He recently completed production on the upcoming feature films "Pride and Glory," "Quebec," "First Snow," "What We Do is Secret" and "Oranges," which is set for release in 2007.

Gonzalez received critical acclaim for his star-making performance as Timo Cruz in the feature "Coach Carter," opposite Samuel L. Jackson. Based on a true story, this inspirational film stars Jackson as a high school basketball coach who benched his undefeated team due to their collective poor academic record. Gonzalez's Cruz is the heart of the film; he portrayed a young man torn between his roots and a burning desire to achieve, both in basketball and in the classroom. In "Roll Bounce," a 1970s roller skating coming-of-age comedy, Gonzalez played the role of Naps, a young Latino who takes part in the annual Roller Jam competition on the more affluent side of the tracks. Most recently, Gonzalez was seen in Steven Spielberg's updated version of the H.G. Wells' classic "War of the Worlds," in which he starred opposite Tom Cruise.

Hollywood first began to take notice when Gonzalez won the role of Primo, opposite Laurence Fishburne, in the motorcycle actioner "Biker Boyz." He followed this memorable role by winning a spot as a member of Dennis Quaid's struggling baseball team in the box-office hit "The Rookie." Additional big screen credits include the ensemble comedy "Old School," with Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn, and "Laurel Canyon," with Frances McDormand and Kate Beckinsale.

On television, Rick had a recurring role on the drama "Boston Public." Additional television credits include guest turns on "CSI: Miami," "CSI," "The Shield," "ER," "Law & Order: SVU," "Touched by an Angel" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, Gonzalez was trained at New York's High School of the Performing Arts, where he also excelled in basketball and baseball. While in the city, he appeared in numerous off-Broadway productions at the Harold Clurman Theatre. Gonzalez currently resides in Los Angeles.

Birthday:  July 30

Last update : 17-11-2007

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