Biography

Patrick Reynolds is a character actor and leading man who has worked in TV, films and stage since 1975. His grandfather is the tobacco company founder, RJ Reynolds, but after his father, RJ Reynolds Jr. died from smoking, Patrick turned against Big Tobacco and became a well-known anti-smoking advocate. He plays characters age 55 to 70, and resumed his acting career in November 2020. He's gifted at a variety of accents and is also a skilled voiceover artist.

Mr. Reynolds also co-authored a critically acclaimed bestselling book about his colorful family, The Gilded Leaf, and is developing it for TV. "It's a cross between Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire," he says. See the rave reviews at www.Tobaccofree.org/book/

In recent years Patrick has been using his acting skills as a speaker, which has helped him stay tuned up as an actor. For video clips from his recent live talks, see www.Tobaccofree.org/clips His recent TV news interviews are at www.Tobaccofree.org/tv/

Patrick has appeared in films opposite John Huston, Tony Randall, Anjelica Huston, Shelley Duvall, and others. He was trained by Lee Strasberg, Milton Katselas, Peggy Feurey, Justin Smith and Charles Conrad. At Milton Katselas his classmates included Michelle Pfeiffer and Patrick Swayze. Patrick also studied singing with Arthur Joseph, who coached the Eagles, and he sings professionally as well.

Subscribe to his YouTube channel to get updates about new roles he is cast in: www.youtube.com/channel/UC8BxPUkBNjvGhQDWXFD6mHw

In 2007, Patrick married Alexandra Olympios, his second wife. They live in Los Angeles and have a son, born in 2009.
- IMDb mini biography by: Patrick Reynolds

In 2020, changed the name of his non-profit from Foundation for a Smokefree America to Tobaccofree Earth, to combat smoking in other countries.

Grandson of the tobacco company founder, RJ Reynolds (Camels, Winstons).

Reynolds started acting when he was a film student at USC in 1975. His then girlfriend actress Shelley Duvall (The Shining, Popeye) invited him to the set of Nashville, and director Robert Altman cast him in the film. More acting work followed, and he would go on to enroll in Los Angeles acting schools, including those run by Lee Strasberg, Milton Katselas, Charles Conrad and Peggy Feurey.

Reynolds' father RJ Reynolds Jr, eldest brother RJ Reynolds III and other immediate family members died from smoking the brands that made the family wealthy.

Older brother Michael Randolph Reynolds 1947-2004.

"My only memories of my father are of a man lying down, gasping for breath, and counting the time he had left to live... If the hand that once fed me is the tobacco industry, then that same hand has killed millions of people, and may kill millions more unless people wake up to the dangers of smoking." Patrick Reynolds' testimony before Congress at a hearing chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman in July, 1986. It was the first time he spoke out publicly against his family's tobacco business.

"Shut up and drive." Mandroid (Reynolds) to boat captain Harry Fontana (Andrew Prine) in Eliminators, 1986.

My freedom to breathe lower-risk air wins over your freedom to go without a mask. It's a health issue, not a freedom issue.