Justin Charles Pierce (March 21, 1975 – July 10, 2000) was an actor and skateboarder. Born in London and raised in New York City, Pierce had a troubled childhood and pursued skateboarding. His breakthrough came with the controversial coming of age drama film Kids (1995), which won him the Independent Spirit Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. He then starred in the independent film A Brother's Kiss (1997) and the stoner comedy film Next Friday (2000). His final film, Looking for Leonard (2002), was released posthumously.

As a skateboarder, Pierce was a member of the original Zoo York and Supreme teams. He married stylist Gina Rizzo in 1999. He died by suicide on July 10, 2000.

Early life Pierce was born in London, England, and raised in the Marble Hill and Kingsbridge sections of New York City. During his youth, Pierce stole cigarettes and food, and frequently skipped school in favour of skateboarding before dropping out. He never earned a diploma or GED.

Career While skateboarding in Washington Square Park, Pierce was discovered by film director Larry Clark, who cast him as Casper, a profane drug-addicted skateboarder, in his coming of age drama film Kids. On multiple accounts, Pierce "would get really fucked up, drunk, and get arrested" and "get into fistfights" with co-star Leo Fitzpatrick during filming. Kids premiered at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, and experienced commercial success with a theatrical release that same year. The film garnered a significant amount of controversy, but was a surprise blockbuster and Pierce's breakthrough role. Mike Domski of MovieWeb called his talent "indisputable" and The Guardian believed he was the "best placed for a successful follow-on career." He won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Breakthrough Performance in 1996.

In 1995, Pierce became a member of the original Supreme Crew with fellow Zoo York team riders and close friends Harold Hunter and Peter Bici. Footage of Pierce and the Supreme Crew skateboarding appeared on the Supreme New York website in 1996. He also joined the original Zoo York skateboard team, and is featured in the Zoo York "Mixtape" video (1998), as well as various magazines and adverts for the company.

Pierce appeared in the 1997 film A Brother's Kiss as the younger version of Nick Chinlund's character Lex. The independent production was directed by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, who said Pierce "was always prepared and a natural actor… He had an old soul, but underneath his tough street exterior was a really sweet kid." Also in 1997, he starred in the television film First Time Felon with Omar Epps. He next filmed the comedy Pigeonholed alongside Rosanna Arquette and Marianne Hagan, which was released in 1999. He starred alongside Ice Cube and Mike Epps in the 2000 film Next Friday, as Roach. Though the film was negatively received by critics, it was a commercial success.

Pierce's last on-screen credits were appearing in 2 episodes of Malcolm in the Middle and the Canadian crime drama Looking for Leonard, which released posthumously in 2002 and is dedicated to Pierce. Following his death, Supreme featured unused photographs of Pierce by Ari Marcopoulos in its clothing lines and publications.

Personal life and death He relocated to Los Angeles after being cast in Kids. In 1999, he married stylist Gina Rizzo in Las Vegas.

On July 10, 2000, Pierce was found hanging in his room at the Bellagio Hotel in Paradise, Nevada, by hotel security. His death was ruled a suicide,"Justin Pierce". Yahoo!. Retrieved 26 December 2010. and suicide notes were reportedly found but not released to the public. A Catholic memorial service for Pierce was held at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Manhattan that same month. He is buried in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. His mother died in 2006.https://www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Meryl-Pierce?obId=23617248

Filmography

Film + List of films and roles Year Title Role Notes 1995 Kids Casper 1997 A Brother's Kiss Young Lex 1998Wild HorsesRookieAlso known as Lunch Time Special Myth America Toby Freak Weather Pizza Guy 1999 Too Pure Leo Out in Fifty Freddy Pigeonholed Devon The Big Tease Skateboard Kid2000 Next Friday Roach King of the Jungle Lil' MafiaPosthumous release BlackMale Luther Wright Also known as Blackmail 2002 Looking for Leonard ChevyPosthumous release 2021 Kid 90 Himself Documentary; archive footage We Were Once Kids Himself All The Streets Are Silent: The Convergence of Hip Hop and Skateboarding Himself

Television + List of television appearances and roles Year Title Role Notes 1997 First Time Felon Eddie Television film 2000 This Is How the World Ends Zombie Pilot Malcolm in the Middle Justin 2 episodes

Awards and nominations + List of awards and nominations received by Justin Pierce Award Year Category Nominated work Result Independent Spirit Awards1996 Best Debut Performance Kids

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References

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