Rick Hoffman

Biography

Rick Hoffman is an American TV, Movie actor known for playing roles such as Louis Litt in the legal TV drama Suits(2011-2019), Doctor Swerlow in showtime drama Billions (2020-2022), Jerry Best in Fox sitcom The Bernie Mac Show (2002–2005), Chase Chapman in ABC sitcom Samantha Who? (2007–2009), Patrick Van Dorn in the ABC comedy TV series Jake in Progress, among others.

Richard Edward Hoffman was born on 12th June 1970 in New York City, The United States to Jewish parents Gail Hoffman & Charlie Hoffman (married in 1967). He was brought up in Roslyn Heights, New York along with his younger brother Jeff Hoffman.

Education

High School: Rick attended 'The Wheatley School', a public high school for children of grades 8-12, it is located in Old Westbury, New York, and is part of the East Williston Union Free School District.

[young  Rick Hoffman at the age of 17]

Bachelor's degree: Rick graduated from the University of Arizona. Rick was a member of the Jewish Social Fraternity Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) while in college.

Family

Rick's mother Gail Hoffman is a fan of movies. She has visited Rick on the sets numerous times. Sometimes she has been caught on the tape accidentally. She was caught in the background while trying to take a picture in the legal drama 'Philly'. [2]

Rick has a son (born in December 2014; it is not disclosed who is the mother), Rick lives in Los Angeles with his Son.

[Rick Hoffman with his son]

 

 

 

 

 

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Career

Soon after his graduation, Rick moved to Los Angeles California on July 10th, 1992 to seek a career in acting.

His first audition for a role was in a Razor commercial, he lost the gig because he wouldn't take off his shirt.

Rick played a 'Mugger' in the 1990 family comedy TV movie Just Perfect(1990). Next, he appeared as the 'Pizza Man' in the adventure comedy TV series 'Masked Rider'

Conspiracy Theory(1997): Rick's first acting role in a feature film was as a night security guard in Richard Donner's political action thriller "Conspiracy Theory" starring Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, and others.

He played a Robber in the comedy TV series 'Alright Already' (episode: Again with the Porno Video, s1e7), which starred Carol Lerner (a fellow 'The Wheatley School' alumni), Amy Yesbeck, Stacy Galina, and others.

He had a string of minor roles throughout the 1990s. He played a Photographer in the NBC action-drama series 'The Pretender' (episode: Exposed, s2e4). In Marc Lasky's comedy movie The Fanatics(1997), he played the role of a Protestor. In Johnny Skidmarks(1998) he appeared as a bartender.  As a clerk in the movie Border to Border(1998), and as a Port Police Officer in Lethal Weapon 4(1998).

He played Tino Scarlatti in the episode "Big Top Val' of the series "V.I.P.". He acted as "Benji Brickman" in an episode of the series "Providence". In the 2000 sci-fi comedy movie "What Planet Are You From?" he played the role of a doctor.

In the comedy action movie A Better Way to Die(2000) he played the role of Regis. He appeared in a couple of short movies- Looking for Bobby D(2001) (as Richard) and The Agent Who Stole Christmas(2001) (as Rich Green)

The $treet

Rick used to wait tables until his breakthrough in The $treet (2000). He worked as a waiter for 9 years until he started making decent earnings through his acting gigs.

In the Fox TV series The Street, which ran from November 2000-December 2000, Rick played Freddie Sacker, one of the employees of a small brokerage house "Belmont Stevens" in New York City.

The show was taken off air after 7 episodes. The cast included Jennifer Connelly, Adam Goldberg, Giancarlo Esposito, Christian Campbell, Nina Garbiras,  Melissa De Sousa, and others.

[Rick Hoffman and the cast of The Street]

In the TV series "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" he played Anrich in the pilot episode. Then came another biggie Philly.

Philly(2001-2002)

In the ABC legal drama centered around defense attorney Kathleen Maguire (Kim Delaney), a single mother and a partner in a law firm, Rick played ADA Terry Loomis, an attorney who regularly fights against Kathleen in court. He is frenemies with her.  He appears in all 22 episodes of the series, the series was taken off air after that due to low ratings.

[Rick Hoffman and the cast of "Philly"]

In the crime drama Blood Work(2002) he played James Lockridge. In the series "Crossing Jordan" he appeared in an episode as Phil Berman. He played Capt. Terlesky in the 2003 TV movie The Partners. In I Love Your Work(2003) he played Louis.

In the 2003 comedy romantic tv series "Miss Match" starring Alicia Silverstone and Lake Bell, he played Kate Fox's (played by Alicia Silverstone) Auction Date. In the short movie Farm Sluts(2003) he acted in the role of Rick. In the series "Without a Trace" he appears in an episode as "Gary Moscowitz".

In the series "The Practice" he appears as D.A. Harvey Clarke in 3 of the episodes (season 8 episodes 13-15). In the climate disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow(2004) he appears as an uncredited businessman on Bus. 

CSI Miami: He appears twice in the series, 6 years apart between the episodes, playing 2 different characters- as Bruno Gomez in 2003 in the episode "Bait" (s2e9) and as Darren Ripley in 2009 in the episode "Hostile Takeover" (s8e2)

In an episode of the series "Monk", he appears as Agent Colmes. In the movie Cellular(2004) he plays a lawyer. In the short movie, Our time is up(2004) he plays a Gay man. In the TV movie Paradise(2004) he plays Clark Cavanaugh. In the 2004 horror film by Eli Roth, he played the The American Client.

The Bernie Mac Show: In the Fox sitcom series woven around the stand-up comedian Bernie "Mac" McCullough (played Bernie Mac himself), Rick plays Jerry Best, Bernie's Manager. Rick appears in about 10 episodes of the series.

In the episode "Manhattan Manhunt" of the series CSI: NY, he played Dr. Miles Feldstein. In the series "Commander in Chief" he appears as Lance Addison in 2 episodes. In the series "American Dad!" he appears as John Hinkley. 

Jake in Progress

In the ABC sitcom series Jake in Progress, revolving around the main character Jake Phillips (played by John Stamos) he played Patrick Van Dorn, a performance artist. He appeared in 20 episodes of the series.

[Rick Hoffman in Jake in Progress]

In the movie Smiley Face(2007) he played Angry face. In the series "Shark" he played Sam Harris in an episode.

Condemned(2007): In the action movie The Condemned(2007) written and directed by Scott Wiper, Rick appears as 'Goldy' Goldman.

In the movie Postal(2007) he appears as Mr. Blither. In the comedy spy series Chuck, Rick appears as Agent scary in the episode "Chuck Versus the Sandworm". In the series "Better Off Ted", he plays Mr. Page. In the series Numb3rs, he appears as Oliver. In the psychologcal thriller "The Mentalist" he plays Christopher Lynch. 

In the series "Dark Blue" he played Billy Hoffman. In the series "Human Target" he played Shelly. In an episode of Law & Order: LA, he appears as Attorney Miller. In the segment "story #4" of Movie Locker 13, he plays the character Armando. In the series Ballers, he appears as an NFL PA representative. In the series Pearson, he appears as Louis Litt.

Suits

In the USA network legal drama "Suits" that aired from June 2011 till September 2019, Rick played Louis Litt, a neurotic financial lawyer.

The character Louis Marlowe Litt initially has a grudge against Harvey Specter the protagonist of the show, they become best friends eventually. Litt eventually goes on to become a partner of the law firm with his tricks. Louis is married to Sheila Sazs and has a daughter named Lucy Litt with her.

He appears in about 134 episodes of the series. The show stars Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter, Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross, Meghan Markle as Rachel Elizabeth Zane, Sarah Rafferty as Donna Roberta Paulsen, Gina Torres as Jessica Lourdes Pearson, Amanda Schull as Katrina Amanda Bennett and others.

[Rick Hoffman in Suits]

Billions: He made his first appearance in the TV series Billions as Dr. Swerdlow, an unorthodox medical man in season 5, he has a recurring role that continues beyond the fifth season.

Filmography

Movies

TV Series

Interesting Facts

• During the filming of the movie Condemned (2007) he had a near-death experience.
• He is a pro racial equality and LGBT rights supporter.
• He likes 'Rocky' movie series.
• He supports mental health awareness activities.
• One thing he can't live without- Family.
• He prefers Isles over Windows on a flight.
• He is good at imitating, especially with the Latino accent.
• His advice to his younger self- "Do not take everything personally."
• His favorite relative from his father's side- Grandfather.
• Two things he is good at- Sports, Movies.
• The brand he wishes makes a comeback- Underoos (underwear).
• The ugliest gift he ever received- a sweater from his mother.
• He is most proud of- his son.
• The day he wants to relive: The day he got a big job which made him move away from waiting tables.
• Guilty pleasure songs: Bad Blood(Neil Sedaka)
• Go to Karaoke song: The Humpty Dance
• His favorite superpower/ person: Digesto- He who eats whatever he wants and does not gain any weight. Toilets would be his Kryptonite, he would wear a bib instead of a cape.
• His Twitter account was hacked back in 2016.
• He was critical of Donald Trump when he was a presidential candidate.
• He is an Oral hygiene PSA.
• Favorite Accent- South African.
• He is allergic to cats (loves dogs) [2], and Avocado. He used to believe he was allergic to Sushi.
• He prefers Chicken over Beef & Fish; Wine over beer; Coffee over Tea; Juice over water; Toast over cereal; iTunes over Spotify; cards over cash.
• He has endorsed brands like Daniel Cremieux Signature & Ermenegildo Zegna.
• He is believed to be a homosexual(gay), but nothing has been officially confirmed.
• 'Breaking Bad' is one of his favorite all-time tv series [2]

Quotes

• If you believe in yourself & hang in long enough, you never know what you could achieve.
• Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, character is what you really are, reputation is merely what others think you are.
• [On his role in 'Suits'] I have the job of a lifetime.
• The real, raw, driven-to-tears type scenes have always scared me since I was very young working as an actor. And to this very day, I get tremendously neurotic making sure nothing is forced or fake.[2]
• Never believe the best things said about you, and never believe the worst things said about you.

Sources

• Rick Hoffman on Wikipedia
• Rick Hoffman on IMDB
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