- Born
- Birth nameEric Kyle Szmanda
- Nickname
- Ercy
- Height5′ 10½″ (1.79 m)
- Eric Szmanda is an American actor best known for his role of forensic investigator "Greg Sanders" on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". Eric was born and raised in Wisconsin where he was active in school plays and community theatre. He moved to LA at the age of 19 to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. While in school, Eric began a marketing internship with music conglomerate BMG. He graduated in 1996 and moved to Chicago to take a full time job in the music business.
One year later, Eric moved back to LA to accept a role in a play at the Odyssey Theatre which garnered him the attention of an agent and manager. Within a few months, he landed the series regular role of "Jacob" on USA's TV series "The Net", which lasted for one season. Soon after, Eric was cast in the central role of "Johnny Dodge" in the UPN pilot "Dodge's City". The show was not picked up by the network, but Eric soon landed a recurring role as a DNA tech on the CBS pilot "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation".
In addition to his work on CSI, Szmanda has continued his involvement in theatre, guest-starred and recurred on several TV shows, and appeared in independent films. He has also produced a variety of internet content ranging from comedy videos to music interviews. In 2008, he helped launch a digital radio station erockster.com. As part of his support for human rights and the US Campaign for Burma, Szmanda traveled to Thailand to witness the conditions of Burmese refugees who have fled their native country.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jeremy Loethen
- ParentsDonald SzmandaElaine Szmanda
- RelativesBrett Szmanda(Sibling)Rob Szmanda(Sibling)
- Lived in the guest quarters of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) co-star George Eads for a couple months and took care of George's dog, Maverick, while he was out of town.
- Surname pronounced "sh:mahn-duh".
- Has a brother who teaches high-school. He has visited his brothers classes on several occasions as a surprise to his students.
- Has a golden retriever named Dax.
- He likes the music of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós.
- I couldn't ask for a better springboard. There was no doubt in my mind, by the time they offered me the role, that the show [CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)] was going to be huge. It was already doing really well, and I was really lucky to get in when I did. It's also a great learning environment. [interviewed by Joyce Abano] (31 March 2004)
- To learn something new everyday. I never thought I would be learning about science after college or after high school for that matter. It's kind of a double life for me, that part of the job. I could be doing a sitcom and I'd just be there making dumb jokes, but now I'm making dumb jokes and learning something.
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