--- name: "Richard Edson" canonical: "https://film.one/person/richard-edson" fi1m_id: "richard-edson" imdb_id: "nm0002057" tmdb_id: 6396 wikidata_id: "Q1377218" roles: ["Actor"] born: "1 January 1954" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 69 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-10-04T23:28:41.478877+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Richard Edson ## Identity Richard Edson - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/richard-edson - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** richard-edson - **IMDb ID:** nm0002057 - **TMDB ID:** 6396 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1377218 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Edson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1377218, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002057/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6396 Actor. Born 1 January 1954 in New Rochelle, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 1 January 1954, New Rochelle, New York, USA - **Active:** 1984–1995 - **Frequently works with:** [Forest Whitaker](https://film.one/person/forest-whitaker.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 75 (6), 1990s 50 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 66 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 3 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Drama 5, Adventure 3, Action 2, War 2, Family 1 - **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $451m across 8 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Edson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1377218, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002057/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6396 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Do the Right Thing*](https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing.md) (93) - **Apple TV:** [*Platoon*](https://film.one/film/platoon.md) (84) - **HBO Max:** [*Stranger Than Paradise*](https://film.one/film/stranger-than-paradise.md) (82) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Richard Edson > Richard Edson makes deadpan comedy feel companionable, letting small responses do the work without signalling the joke. We value that lack of fuss, and *Stranger Than Paradise* gives it the time it needs. In *Stranger Than Paradise* (1984), Richard Edson's Eddie is in no hurry to make us laugh. Alongside John Lurie's Willie and Eszter Balint's Eva, he gives us small responses to watch and lets the pauses last. We laughed because none of them seemed concerned about being funny, and Edson belongs comfortably in that company. Jim Jarmusch gives the actors time to make aimlessness interesting. Edson repays that patience with a performance we would readily recommend, especially to anyone tired of having every comic moment announced. The film's black-and-white framing matters to that performance: there is time to inspect all three people, and nobody needs to compete for attention. Edson's understatement works because the screenplay leaves room for it. This is also where the reservation lies, since the film's determined cool sometimes keeps us further from its characters than we would like. We would not mistake that distance for a failure by the cast. Jarmusch trusts Edson to hold our interest without a busy performance, and that trust is justified. Eddie was his screen debut, but it did not establish a career of leading parts. The next phase brought Oliver Stone's *Platoon* (1986), John Hughes's *Ferris Bueller's Day Off* (1986) and Spike Lee's *Do the Right Thing* (1989). He played Hughes's garage attendant and Lee's Vito, two of the smaller parts on which his reputation rests. His distinctive face and voice help explain why a brief appearance can be remembered, though recognition does not tell us how much a film has actually given an actor to do. *Joey Breaker* (1993) offered a rare leading role, as a talent agent, while his work continued across independent and studio films through the 1990s and 2000s. The reservation about Edson's career is how often the parts are brief, leaving little time to establish a character. We would be wary of recommending a whole film merely because he turns up in it. Start with *Stranger Than Paradise*, and give those pauses a chance. ## Biography Richard Edson is an American actor and musician. He was born on 1 January 1954 in New Rochelle, New York, to a Jewish family. Edson began in music as the original drummer for Sonic Youth from 1981 to 1982, and also played with Konk and other bands. He moved into acting with his screen debut as Eddie in Jim Jarmusch's *Stranger Than Paradise* (1984). His subsequent film roles include Sal in *Platoon* (1986), the garage attendant in *Ferris Bueller's Day Off* (1986) and Vito in *Do the Right Thing* (1989). He has appeared in over 35 films. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) - *Posse* (1993), Fi1m 58, as Deputy Tom — [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md) - *Super Mario Bros.* (1993), Fi1m 42, as Spike — [page](https://film.one/film/super-mario-bros.md) - *Do the Right Thing* (1989), Fi1m 93, as Vito — [page](https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing.md) - *Good Morning, Vietnam* (1987), Fi1m 68, as Pvt. Abersold — [page](https://film.one/film/good-morning-vietnam.md) - *Ferris Bueller's Day Off* (1986), Fi1m 81, as Garage Attendant — [page](https://film.one/film/ferris-buellers-day-off.md) - *Howard the Duck* (1986), Fi1m 43, as Ritchie — [page](https://film.one/film/howard-the-duck.md) - *Platoon* (1986), Fi1m 84, as Sal — [page](https://film.one/film/platoon.md) - *Stranger Than Paradise* (1984), Fi1m 82, as Eddie — [page](https://film.one/film/stranger-than-paradise.md) ## Complete filmography (98) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Code* (2025), as Jay's Dad - *3 from Hell* (2019), as Carlos Perro - *Burning Shadow* (2018), as Ronald - *Dream Murder Machine* (2018), Actor - *Where is Rocky II?* (2016), as Ted Simmons (segment: "Monument One") - *Dutch Book* (2015), Actor - *3 Holes and a Smoking Gun* (2014), as Sam Dunkim - *Dark Hearts* (2014), as Ravetti - *Space Cadet* (2013), as Nick Agnello - *Vegas* (2012), series, as Arthur Speziali - *Perception* (2012), series, as Keith Trevoy - *The Smell of Success* (2011), as Nelly the Nose - *Franklin & Bash* (2011), series, as Bruce Conti - *Happy Endings* (2011), series, as Valet Guy - *Happiness Runs* (2010), as Pete - *The Greims* (2009), as Larry - *Black Dynamite* (2009), as Dino - *Columbus Day* (2008), as Manny - *Momma's Man* (2008), as Tom - *The Astronaut Farmer* (2007), as Chopper Miller - *Hard Scrambled* (2006), as Joe - *The Kid & I* (2005), as Guy Prince - *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Nick Rowland - *Frankenfish* (2004), as Roland - *Goodnight, Joseph Parker* (2004), as Frankie - *Land of Plenty* (2004), as Jimmy - *Starsky & Hutch* (2004), as Monix - *Cold Case* (2003), series, as Seth Lundgren (2008) - *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Quentin Haid - *Sunshine State* (2002), as Steve Tregaskis - *Apartment #5C* (2002), as Harold - *Some Days in January, 1984* (2001), Actor - *Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician* (2001), as Thomas - *I am Josh Polonski's Brother* (2001), as Abe Polonski - *Jack of Hearts* (2000), as Henry - *Desperate But Not Serious* (2000), as Screenwriter - *Timecode* (2000), as Lester Moore - *Cement* (2000), as Robbo - *The Million Dollar Hotel* (2000), as Joe - *Thick as Thieves* (1999), as Danny - *The Shade* (1999), as Simon - *Purgatory* (1999), as Euripides - *Lulu on the Bridge* (1998), as Dave Reilly - *Double Tap* (1997), as Fischer - *This World, Then the Fireworks* (1997), as Joe - *Snide and Prejudice* (1997), as Rudolph Hess - *Marco Polo: Haperek Ha'aharon* (1997), as Bergman - *An Occasional Hell* (1996), as Rodney Gillen - *Wedding Bell Blues* (1996), as Tom - *Scorpion Spring* (1996), as Lem Wells - *The Winner* (1996), as Frankie - *Things I Never Told You* (1996), as Steve - *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Jared Love - *Intimate Betrayal* (1996), as Charlie Dunn - *Strange Days* (1995), as Tick - *American Gothic* (1995), series, Actor - *Destiny Turns on the Radio* (1995), as Gage - *Jury Duty* (1995), as Skeets - *Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman* (1994), as Tony - *ER* (1994), series, as Vinnie La Fontaine — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Anthony Tedesco - *Motorcycle Gang* (1994), as Volker - *Rebel Highway* (1994), series, as Volker - *Love, Cheat & Steal* (1993), as Billy Quayle - *Super Mario Bros.* (1993), as Spike — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/super-mario-bros.md) - *Posse* (1993), as Deputy Tom — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md) - *Joey Breaker* (1993), as Joey Breaker - *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Danny Newton — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md) - *What About Me* (1993), as Nick - *Crossing the Bridge* (1992), as Mitchell - *Love Is Like That* (1992), as Bubba-Lilly - *Eyes of an Angel* (1991), as Goon - *Murder in High Places* (1991), as Noogie - *Fourth Story* (1991), as Mechanic - *Shannon's Deal* (1990), series, as Wilmer Slade - *Bloodhounds of Broadway* (1989), as Johnny Crackow - *Let It Ride* (1989), as Johnny Casino - *Do the Right Thing* (1989), as Vito — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing.md) - *Shannon's Deal* (1989), as Wilmer Slade - *China Lake* (1989), as Connie Veesk - *Monsters* (1988), series, as Jack Bateman - *The Chair* (1988), as Riot Leader - *Tougher Than Leather* (1988), as Bernie Carteez - *Eight Men Out* (1988), as Billy Maharg - *Good Morning, Vietnam* (1987), as Pvt. Abersold — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/good-morning-vietnam.md) - *Walker* (1987), as Turley - *Platoon* (1986), as Sal — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/platoon.md) - *Crime Story* (1986), series, as Jake Rennick - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Carver Bowles - *Howard the Duck* (1986), as Ritchie — Fi1m 43, [page](https://film.one/film/howard-the-duck.md) - *Ferris Bueller's Day Off* (1986), as Garage Attendant — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/ferris-buellers-day-off.md) - *Desperately Seeking Susan* (1985), as Man With Newspapers - *Stranger Than Paradise* (1984), as Eddie — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/stranger-than-paradise.md) - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Wavey Davey — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Kino '84: The Making of Jim Jarmusch* (1984), as Interviewee - *Stranger Than Paradise* (1983), as Eddie - *Vortex* (1982), Music - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Johnny Crackow ## Gallery - ![Richard Edson](https://film.one/media/person/118258/gallery-bfeaf5fa265c.jpg) Richard Edson — THE 1 SECOND FILM, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Richard_Edson.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Richard Edson](https://film.one/media/person/118258/gallery-33354251361f.jpg) Richard Edson — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/richard-edson