Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in the Maryland suburb of Bladensburg, Richards discovered his love for acting at an early age and enrolled in a performing arts high school where he appeared in several plays a year. Academically confident and determined to move out to Los Angeles to pursue his acting aspirations, Richards applied to only one college - the University of Southern California production of "Space," he began to earn recognition and rave reviews. Richards was introduced to fans of "Angel" during the series' first season the rogue, street-savvy vampire hunter Charles Gunn. In season five, his character was transformed into a "take-no-prisoners" lawyer at the evil law firm Wolfram and Hart. In "Conviction," Richards returns to the "letter of the law" in his role as Billy Desmond, an ambitious and brilliant assistant district attorney who does not lose. On the big screen, Richards has 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." Richards also guest-starred on "The Practice," "Chicago Hope," "The Cosby Show" and "Any Day Now." Last summer, Richards won critical notices in Kenneth Lonergan's "Lobby Hero" at the prestigious Old Globe Theatre.
Says that his mother didnt want him to become an actor; instead, she had hopes of him becoming a lawyer or a priest. In the final season of "Angel" , Gunn got a special brain spell and became a top Wolfram & Hart lawyer. In "Conviction" he played a lawyer again, this time at the DAs Office. He then played a prosecutor again on "Raising the Bar" .
Named #10 of the Top Ten Sexiest Men of the Buffy / Angel universe in a fan poll by Bufy the Vampire Slayer fanzine.
He is of Panamanian descent.
Thinks the best TV series is "The Wire," but his personal favorite TV series is "Threes Company.".
(June 2005) In the play "Lobby Hero" at San Diegos Old Globe, May 21 - June 26, 2005.
[on working with Jed and Maurissa Whedon, and Clark Gregg on "Agents of,"Shield"] - You know, working with Jed and Maurissa is just easy.
Also, working with Clark Gregg makes it easy. I often find that the No.
1 person on the call sheet sets the tone for what the set is going to,be like, and because he is all about the work, everyone else is all,about the work too.
Fortunately I had the "Guide to the Marvel Universe," all of them, and,I looked up Deathlok and read a little about him there. I started doing,research on the Internet, and then Marvel was kind enough to give me,access to some of the older comics. I read some of the Michael Collins,versions of Deathlok and got what I needed from that, but I also wanted,to make sure that my research and my information were based on what I,was doing on the show.
