Son of Elizabeth wheeler, housewife, and Dale steven jenkins, a dentist, before dedicating himself to acting he worked for a time in a transport company, where his boss was the actor’s father John C. Reilly.
He earned a degree in drama from the Illinois Wesleyan University, and later moved to Rhode Island, where he worked with the Trinity Repertory Company, in which he participated in works such as “Brother to dragons“,”True west“,”American buffalo” Y “Waiting for Godot”; and directed the works “Tartuffe“,”The Glass Menagerie“,”The miser” Y “Macbeth“, among other. He was also the artistic director of the company for 4 years.
He made his debut before the cameras in 1974, when he participated in the telefilm “Feasting with Panthers”. From then on, he developed a prosperous career, both in theater and in film and television.
Among his credits for the big screen, his performances in the movies are remembered “Hannah and her sisters“,”The Witches of Eastwick”, In which he worked together with Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon Y Michelle pfeiffer, “Melody of seduction“, with Al Pacino Y Ellen barkin, “Beware of the Blues family“, with Kathleen turner Y Dennis Quaid, “Captives in paradise“, starring Nicolas Cage Y Jon lovitz, “Absolute power“, with Clint eastwood Y Gene Hackman, “The Impostors”, Whose protagonists were Oliver Platt Y Stanley tucci, “Whims of fate“, with Harrison ford Y Kristin Scott Thomas, “Me, myself and Irene“, next to Jim Carrey Y Renée zellweger, “To the edge of the truth“, with Ben affleck Y Samuel L. Jackson, “The nucleus“, with Aaron Eckhart, “Strange coincidences“, next to Jude Law Y Dustin Hoffman, “They say out there …“, with Jennifer Aniston Y Kevin Costner, “The visitor”, Thanks to which he was nominated for the Academy Awards, “Brothers by balls”, Comedy starring Will ferrell Y John C. Reilly, “Burn After Reading“, with George Clooney Y John malkovich, and during 2010 he will be seen in the comedy “Happythankyoumoreplease“And in the drama”Dear john”.
Among his next projects, we can mention the romantic tape “Waiting for Forever“, the comedy “Norman“, The dramas”Eat, Pray, Love“,”Let me in” Y “The Rum Diary“And the thriller”The Cabin in the Woods”, All of them currently in the post-production stage.
Jenkins He also stood out for his work in countless television films, among which we can mention “The little sister“,”When You Remember Me“,”Getting out“,”Into Thin Air: Death on Everest“,”Sins of the Father” Y “Earth to america“, among other.
Richard is also well remembered for the role of Nathaniel fisher, the patriarch of the family Fisher in the drama of HBO, “Six feet under”, In which he was from 2000 to 2005.
He could also be seen as a guest actor in other series such as “Great Performances“,”Miami Vice“,”Against the Law” Y “Crossroads”.
Regarding his personal life, he has been married since 1969 to Sharon Rayna Friedrick, with whom you have 2 leaves: Sarah Pamela Y Andrew Kenneth.
He currently resides in Cumberland, Rhode Island.