Richard James Biggs II, professionally known as Richard Biggs, was an American television and stage actor best remembered for playing Dr. Marcus Hunter on Days of Our Lives and Dr. Stephen Franklin on Babylon 5.
His career also included Any Day Now, Guiding Light, Strong Medicine and numerous guest appearances.
Beyond acting, he taught theatre and supported educational programs for deaf and hearing-impaired children.
| Richard Biggs | |
|---|---|
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Richard James Biggs II |
| Stage Name: | Richard Biggs |
| Born: | 18 March 1960 |
| Died: | 22 May 2004 (age 44 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.78m |
| Parents: | Colonel Richard J. Biggs, Delores D. Biggs |
| Siblings: | Juanita Reddinger, Mary Lynch, Alicia Biggs, Celia Biggs |
| Spouse: | Lori Kay Gebers Biggs (1998–2004) |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Richard James Biggs III, Hunter Lee Biggs |
| Occupation: | Actor, Theatre Teacher |
| Net Worth: | $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Richard Biggs came into the world on 18 March 1960 in Columbus, Ohio, to Colonel Richard J. Biggs and Delores D. Biggs. Because his father served in the U.S. Air Force, he grew up moving between military bases across the United States.
He was the only son in a family of five children, with four sisters: Juanita Reddinger, Mary Lynch, Alicia Biggs and Celia Biggs.
Initially intending to pursue medicine, Biggs discovered acting at 17 after playing the lead in a local production of The Wiz.
He graduated from Minot High School in North Dakota and attended the University of Southern California on a scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre.
He later taught acting at Los Angeles-area schools and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Biggs was of African-American heritage and was raised in a Christian family.
Career
Richard Biggs entered professional acting after struggling to secure Screen Actors Guild membership and supporting himself through small stage roles and other jobs.
His performance as Romeo at Los Angeles’ Ensemble Theatre impressed an agent, leading to an audition for Days of Our Lives.
He landed the role of Dr. Marcus Hunter in 1987 and played the character until 1992, winning a Soap Opera Digest Award for Supporting Actor.
His defining role followed in Babylon 5, where he portrayed Dr. Stephen Franklin from 1994 to 1998 and reprised the character in the television films and Crusade.
He later appeared in Any Day Now, Guiding Light, Strong Medicine, V.I.P., ER, NYPD Blue and Tremors: The Series. His stage credits included The Tempest, Cymbeline, The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It.
He also used his public profile to raise funds for schools serving deaf and hearing-impaired children.
Personal Life
Richard Biggs, born on 18 March 1960, was 44 years old when he died on 22 May 2004 from complications following an aortic dissection.
He married Lori Kay Gebers on 1 August 1998, and they remained married until his death; they had two sons, Richard James Biggs III and Hunter Lee Biggs.
Biggs had experienced significant hearing loss from childhood, becoming completely deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other, and devoted considerable attention to supporting deaf and hearing-impaired children.
Filmography
- 1985: The Twilight Zone — Dr. Thomson
- 1988: 70 Minutes to Live — Brian Jones
- 1990: Beverly Hills, 90210 — Dr. Lecksis
- 1998: Babylon 5: In the Beginning — Dr. Stephen Franklin
- 1998–2000: Any Day Now — Bill Moody
- 1999: Beverly Hills, 90210 — Dr. Lecksis
- 2000: V.I.P. — Griffin Pearce
- 2001: Ablaze — Garrison
- 2002: Strong Medicine — Dr. Milo Morton
- 2002: Crossing Jordan — Guest Role
- 2003: Tremors: The Series — Visiting Scientist
- 2004: Drake & Josh — FBI Agent
Net Worth
Richard Biggs had an estimated net worth of $1 million at the time of his death. His earnings came principally from television and stage acting, particularly his extended roles on Days of Our Lives and Babylon 5.
Teaching, guest appearances and television films also formed part of his professional career.