- Born
- Birth nameDean Gerard Winters
- Height6′ (1.83 m)
- Dean Winters is known for his role as Ryan O'Reily on HBO's award-winning series Oz (1997) and as Tina Fey's character's "Beeper King" boyfriend on the Emmy-winning comedy, 30 Rock (2006). His noteworthy comedic performance was recently included in Entertainment Weekly's "Must List" as well as Variety's short-list of Emmy-worthy guest performances. In addition to being featured in the film P.S. I Love You (2007) with Hilary Swank, Winters was a series regular on FX's critically-acclaimed, one-hour drama Rescue Me (2004), in which he played Denis Leary's character's brother, Johnny Gavin, an NYPD police detective.
He recurred as Lena Headey's former love interest on the Fox series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008). He can also be seen as the Allstate spokesmodel character known as Mayhem.
Winters also played Detective Brian Cassidy on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999). Other television credits include guest-starring roles in CSI: Miami (2002), Sex and the City (1998), Third Watch (1999), The Twilight Zone (1985), Millennium (1996), New York Undercover (1994), NYPD Blue (1993) and Homicide: Life on the Street (1993). Some of Winters's film projects include Winter of Frozen Dreams (2009), Bristol Boys (2006), Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002), Bullet in the Brain (2001), Snipes (2001), Undercover Angel (1999), All Shook Up (1999), Conspiracy Theory (1997), starring Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts, Firehouse (1996), Sidney Lumet's television movie Strip Search (2004) and The Devil You Know (2013).
- IMDb mini biography by: Sandracasst@industryentertainment.com and CHighland
- RelativesScott William Winters(Sibling)Bradford Winters(Sibling)Blair Winters(Sibling)Hudson Dean Zamacona(Niece or Nephew)
- Often plays immoral yet charming characters
- Low rasping voice
- scar on his chin
- Died in the back of an ambulance going through Central Park in 2009 after suffering from a bacterial infection. He was brought back to life three-and-a-half minutes later by the emergency response team at Lenox Hill Hospital. In a span of two years, he had 16 surgeries, lost two-and-a-half toes and half of a thumb after contracting gangrene. He also had major reconstructive surgery on his left arm. He was offered the role of Mayhem for Allstate's ad campaign while in the hospital.
- While working at a bar with his brother Scott William Winters, Dean met Tom Fontana, who wrote him a part on the TV series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) for his 30th birthday.
- Did a summer intensive at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England. His acting partner was Rashida Jones.
- Credits Tina Fey with bringing his career back to life on 30 Rock (2006).
- The role of Ryan O'Reily on Oz (1997) (HBO) was written and created by Tom Fontana for Dean. Part of Fontana's master plan was to bring Scott William Winters (Dean's brother) on Oz for Season 2. Brett Winters, Dean's other brother, also worked on Oz as a writer. Blair Winters, Dean's sister, married Oz producer/writer Jorge Zamacona.
- Life is short, I learned the hard way.
- [on being a bartender in NYC] If you left my bar with cab fare, then I failed.
- I've always been drawn to stories involving brothers, which started with my first viewing of Sean Penn's The Indian Runner (1991). This subsequently led to my working with my two brothers, [Scott Winters] and [Bradley Winters]. I couldn't imagine a greater gift in the business.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
