Biography

Gregory Scott Cummins, raised in Orinda, California, began his theater arts training at U.C. Berkeley while on a football scholarship, which earned him the position of starting punter from 1974-1977. During his years at Berkeley, he studied acting, theater history, and theory, including: Greek, Roman, Restoration, Renaissance, Comedia del Arte, and Shakespeare, etc. In correlation with his core studies, Greg performed in numerous plays (Volpone, Orpheus Descending, Skin of Our Teeth, Ah Wilderness) and contributed to numerous productions as both stage carpenter and stage manager. Meanwhile, his academic pursuits expanded towards stage design, playwriting, lighting, stage carpentry, and make-up.

Upon transferring to the University of Hawaii-Manoa, he entered into a two-year study of dramatic arts training in addition to being the punter for the U.H. football team for the 77-78′ and 78-79′ seasons. He set new school punting records, some still standing to this day, as well as led the nation in 3 punting statistic categories. (In 1991, Greg was named to the University of Hawaii’s All-Time fantasy football team by position as the best punter in its 40 year history. Under the tutelage of Terence Knapp and Glen Cannon, Greg continued studying advanced acting with a special emphasis on Shakespeare and classical theater. Terrence Knapp, who had worked closely with and under the arm of Lawrence Olivier for fifteen years at the Royal Shakespeare Company as his sole understudy, served as a strong influence in Greg’s education. Knapp served as Greg’s instructor through the course of all acting classes, Shakespeare reading, analysis and interpretation courses, all movement and voice, and theater history. Greg also dedicated himself to one year of directing classes taught by Glen Cannon, which included directing one-act and main stage student productions. In addition (concurrently), he performed on main stage as Orlando in As You Like It, directed by Terence Knapp, and at the Hawaii Performing Arts Company as Richard the Lionhearted in Lion in Winter. Culminating his college football career Greg moved on to professional football, however, two years later, his professional football career with the San Diego Chargers fell short as a result of an injury. But as fate would have it, Greg returned to U.C. Berkeley in 1983 to complete his B.A. in Theater Arts, during which time he performed Benedick and Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing.

Upon continuing his education, Greg was accepted into the graduate directing program at the University of Hawaii, but instead chose to proceed to U.C.L.A. where he completed his M.F.A. in Acting in 1985. As part of his first year of his training, Greg followed an intensive Method acting program, which he mastered under Delia Salvi. His education also consisted of courses in movement for the actor under Tom Orth, as well as additional courses in voice training, theater history, and classical and contemporary dramatic literature. His second year consisted of continued advanced movement, voice and classical literature study; meanwhile, his acting was concentrated in Shakespeare and all other forms of classical performance. Greg performed lead roles in four U.C.L.A theatrical productions as Sydney in Deathtrap, Jerry from Betrayal, Chris from Division Street, and Satan in an original comedy as part of a joint U.C.L.A. and Hispanic Theater ensemble production. The M.F.A. degree also required a one-hour, one-man Masters thesis performance. Greg successfully culminated his U.C.L.A. experience by winning the professionally sponsored Hugh O’Brien acting competition, held annually on the U.C.L.A. campus.

Greg’s professional acting career started immediately at Solvang’s P.C.P.A. Theaterfest (summer repertory theater). He performed and understudied lead and supporting lead roles in Hamlet, Amadeus, and And a Nightingale Sang, thus providing a springboard towards continued success after twelve years of intensive training in Acting and directing, having performed lead and supporting roles in over 30 stage productions in professional, regional, University, and community theaters.

In 1986, Greg went on to begin his Television and Film career, which, to the present, spans twenty six years, encompassing lead and supporting lead and supporting roles in many feature films. A few most notable films include Cliffhanger, Italian Job, Batman Returns, Switchback, Last of the Dogmen, Stone Cold, and Purgatory. He has also performed numerous guest-starring, recurring, and lead roles in television episodics, sitcoms, network and cable movies and pilots, ranging from Hunter, Murphy Brown, Touched by an Angel, Walker-Texas Ranger, to Charmed, Numb3rs, NCIS-Los Angeles and It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia. Greg has also found time to teach acting as his schedule permits. Recently, he has completed courses in Directing for film, cinematography, and Independent Film Production from the U.C.L.A. extension program as he continues to expand his knowledge of the camera and the director’s role in film. In addition, Greg has been in the final stages of completing two screenplays with the intention of directing and acting in his own independently produced films.

32 thoughts on “Biography”

  1. I think Crate and Barrel should have their own show! I suggested as much on Twitter. Whenever you two are on, I laugh myself silly. 😂

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  2. Hi Brother Greg. So glad you’re back with Bosch. As a retired SFPD guy, I’ve always enjoyed how you and Brother Barrel bring the essence of the ‘job’ to your portrayals. In truth, most guys (and gals) share your portrayed sensibilities way more than the ‘stars’s’ depiction in police shows. I love the ‘stars’–like Harry B. or Dirty Harry, but most of us (on the job) know that it’s guys like Crate and Barrel who are the folks that keep the machine working. You nail it.
    Thank you so much for your efforts. Best Inspector Bob Rogers, SFPD (Ret.)

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  3. I enjoyed you in Bosch! You & Troy added the levity the show needed!!! On another topic, I grew up in Orinda too & graduated from Miramonte in 1961…a wee bit before you. Your bio says you were born in Orinda which makes you very rare since there was no hospital there, so I guess you were a home birth like my son Colin who was born in Orinda August 1979. Cheers, Penelope Curtis p.s. my brother Robin graduated in 1968 & may have contacted you regarding the All Orinda Reunion next year. He’s part of the organizing and collects all the school photos to publish during the event.

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    • Hi Penel! I GREW UP in Orinda, but was not born there (I’ll have to recheck the bio). My parents moved us there in 1960 when I was 4 years old. Good to meet a fellow Matador!!!! And one SENIOR to me! The homes we grew up in around IVI and IVE – weren’t even there then back when you went to Miramonte I think. I’m on the reunion committee fort the ;74 class- but I haven’t been to an All-Orinda reunion yet. But I’m hoping to go to one! So good to hear from you!!! Go Matadors!!!! Greg

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  4. My eyes glaze over during a lot of Bosch because, I guess, I need a summary at the end of each episode to figure out what happened. However, Crate and Barrell’s portrayals by you and Troy are the best. Reminiscent of Barney Miller. Would prefer a new series about you guys in retirement, screw the City politics.

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  5. Hi Greg,

    I hugely enjoy your portrayal of Crate. As a retired San Francisco Police Inspector, I really appreciate how you and Barrel give depth to your characters–who are a little different than the usual TV portrayals of Detectives. You bring irony, humor, intelligence, and compassion to your character. Thanks for making it real.

    Inspector Bob Rogers, SFPD (Ret.)

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    • Hi Robert, I couldn’t receive a more wonderful comment. Can’t thank you so much for your service. My cousin Lieutenent Vincent Calvarese just retired for the SFPD. Maybe you know him? I really appreciate your comments though. You guys are my heroes. It’s just an honor for me to get any kind of compliment from those of you, who do what you do for REAL. I’m awfully proud of one of my nieces who is currently 6 years on the job as a police officer, first in Farifield, now in Napa. Blue Lives Matter. Crazy time for police now. I’m a HUGE law enforcement supporter. Thank you again Robert, Stay safe, Greg

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  6. Hello Greg, I found your official fan page so I signed up. I have chatted with you before on the Bosch FB fan page. Love your work. I’m starting to watch It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia. You are a really gifted actor. Keep up the awesome work.

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  7. Hi, I know this sounds silly, but I am trying to find your brother who clears dryer vents and fixes washing machines. I want to use his services again, but I can’t figure out which company he is with. I live in Martinez and he had told me that your were on “It’s Always Sunny in Phil.” My husband watches that and remembered your brother telling us that. Let me know if you can help me. By the way I love Bosch, and your character.

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  8. Thanks Mr. Cummins, an impressive curriculum in theater, and your work at Bosch is also impressive, one of the best series that can be seen right now.Best!

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  9. Me Cummings, you are an awesome actor which inspired me to look you up. Your background is incredibly impressive.

    Thanks for keeping me entertained!

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  11. Huge fan of your performance on Sunny! They couldn’t have cast anyone better for that role. Really excited and can’t wait to see your independent works!

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  12. Absolute pure talent my man. In the performance industry, sometimes you just can’t find a better individual to cast. That’s you my friend. Great work!

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    • Thanks Jeff. I wasn’t sure if they had dialogue in other episodes that might have mentioned whether I actually died in jail or not in the previous season. In the episode “Mac Kills his dad”, it was left that I said that Mac killed me because I said Mac made it seem that I ratted. But there never was any confirmation of that on that episode. Unless there was another episode this season where they talked about it. I haven’t been able to see all the shows this season. But thanks Jeff, I appreciate it.

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  15. Hey! What’s it like to be the second best looking man on the Internet? Glad to see you’re doing so well and wishing you continued success!

    John
    (The best looking man on the Internet 😉

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