James Pickens Jr. (born October 26, 1954) is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as Dr. Richard Webber on the ABC medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy (since 2005), and for his supporting roles as Deputy Director Alvin Kersh on later seasons of the Fox Network science fiction series The X-Files and Chuck Mitchell on Roseanne (1990–96; 2018) and The Conners (2018–22).

Early life and education Pickens was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He began acting as a student at Bowling Green State University. His first acting role was in a campus production of Matters of Choice by Chuck Gordone. Pickens earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from BGSU in 1976.

Career Pickens started his professional acting career at the Roundabout Theatre in New York City playing Walter Lee in A Raisin in the Sun. In 1981, Pickens performed in the Negro Ensemble Company's production of A Soldier's Play, starring alongside Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.

In 1986, Pickens began his TV career playing Zack Edwards on the soap opera Another World from 1986 to 1990. He went on to have recurring roles on The X-Files as Deputy Director Kersh, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The West Wing, Roseanne, Beverly Hills, 90210, JAG, and Six Feet Under. He also served a role in 42. In 1997, Pickens played the role of Stevens, head of NASA, in Disney’s comedy Rocket Man.

In 2002, Pickens had a cameo appearance as the male zoo doctor in the film Red Dragon.

In 2005, Pickens was chosen to play Dr. Richard Webber on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

In the February 28, 2007 all-star benefit reading of "The Gift of Peace" at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, he portrayed a man whose life experiences led him to volunteer in the peace movement. He played alongside actors Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, Amy Brenneman, George Coe, and Wendie Malick. The play was an open appeal and fundraiser for passage of U.S. House Resolution 808, which sought to establish a Cabinet-level "Department of Peace" in the U.S. government, to be funded by a two-percent diversion of the Pentagon's annual budget.

In 2018, Pickens has reprised his role as Chuckie Mitchell in two episodes of the tenth season revival of Roseanne. In 2019, he was inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.

Personal life

Pickens married Gina Taylor, a former member of Musique, on May 27, 1984 and has two children. In his spare time Pickens can be found horseback riding and roping cattle. He is a member of the United States Team Roping Championship and competes in roping events across the country. He owns an American Quarter Horse named Smokey.

James's two children, Carl Pickens and Gavyn Pickens, are both pursuing careers in show business. His son Carl is working on a Hip-Hop career and can be seen in various television appearances, including Hangin' with Mr. Cooper where he appeared alongside his long-time friend Omar Gooding. His father James Pickens Sr. worked for the City of Cleveland.

In November 2025, Pickens announced he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Later that same month, he announced he was cancer-free.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1986 F/X Ambulance Driver 1987 Hotshot 1992 Trespass Police Officer Reese 1993 Boiling Point Prison Officer Menace II Society Man 1994 Hostile Intentions Capt. Connor Jimmy Hollywood Cook 1995 Dead Presidents Mr. Curtis Nixon Black Orator 1996 Power 98 Det. Wilkinson Sleepers Guard Marlboro Ghosts of Mississippi Medgar Evers 1997 Gridlock'd Supervisor RocketMan Ben Stevens 1998 Sphere O.S.S.A. Instructor Bulworth Uncle David How Stella Got Her Groove Back Walter Payne 1999 Liberty Heights Sylvia's Father 2000 Traffic Ben Williams 2002 Red Dragon Male Zoo Doctor Uncredited Home Room Principal Robbins 2003 White Rush Denny 2005 Venom Sheriff 2008 Ball Don't Lie Roberto 2010 Just Wright Lloyd Wright 2013 42 Mr. Brock

Television Year Title Role Notes 1986–1990 Another World Zack Edwards Unknown episodes 1990–1996;2018 Roseanne Chuck Mitchell 21 episodes 1991–1992 Beverly Hills, 90210 Henry Thomas 10 episodes 1992 Blossom Vinnie Episode: "The Letter" Parker Lewis Can't Lose Fred Episode: "Hungry Heart" L.A. Law Joseph Russell Episode: "Zo Long" Doogie Howser, M.D. Bert Episode: "Roommate with a View" Exclusive Jonathan Heglin Television film 1993 NYPD Blue Nathan Episode: "Personal Foul" Murder, She Wrote Sonny Greene Episode: "The Survivor" 1994 Renegade Lieutenant Pete Calloway Episode: "Hostage" Coach Rick Williams Episode: "Blue Chip Blues" Me and the Boys Coach Brown Episode: "Black Dads Can't Jump" Sodbusters Isaac Television film Brad Currie Television film Lily in Winter Chick Television film 1995 Trail by Fire Television film Sharon's Secret Ashmore Television film Touched by an Angel George Episode: "The Driver" 1996 In the House Russell Episode: "My Crazy Valentine" Episode: "The Conspirator" One West Waikiki Episode: "Allergic to Golf" Dangerous Minds Coach Butch Kelly Episode: "Moonstruck" Bloodhounds Agent John DeGraf Television film 1996–1997 Something So Right Jim 5 episodes 1997 Pacific Palisades Josh Smith Episode: "Past & Present Danger" Walker, Texas Ranger Staff Sergeant Luther Parrish Episode: "The Fighting McLains" 1997–1998 Brooklyn South Detective 4 episodes 1997–2000 Detective Mike McKrew 15 episodes 1998 Clark Thomas Episode: "Crash" Seinfeld Detective Hudson Episode: "The Finale" Little Girl Fly Away Detective Walter Engelhart Television film 1998–2000 Any Day Now Judge Lucius Pearl 3 episodes 1998–2002;2018 FBI Assistant / Deputy Director Alvin Kersh 20 episodesNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 1999 Vengeance Unlimited Mr. Hobbs Episode: "Friends" JAG Commander Wallace Burke 2 episodes A Slight Case of Murder Det. Larry Gray Television film 2000 City of Angels Wilson Patterson 3 episodes Daddio Doug Grayson Episode: "The Premium Also Rises" Mr. Lane Episode: "The Real Terrorist" Family Law Episode: "Family Values" NYPD Blue Lt. Joe Abner 3 episodes 2001 Semper Fi Mr. Maddox Television film 2001–2002 Philly Clyde Coleman 7 episodes 2002 Strong Medicine Dr. Everett Sloane Episode: "Outcomes" Crossing Jordan Agent Hawkins Episode: "Bombs Away" MDs Mr. Farrell Episode: "Cruel and Unusual" 2002–2003 Six Feet Under Roderick Charles 2 episodes Becker Cliff Bennett 2 episodes 2003 CSI: Miami Prison Warden Episode: "Body Count" Terrance Christianson 3 episodes 2004 Line of Fire Kenneth Stevens Episode: "The Senator" Mayor Episode: "Full Disclosure" Jack & Bobby Marcus Ride Episode: "Pilot" 2005 Curb Your Enthusiasm Doctor 2 episodes 2005–present Grey's Anatomy Dr. Richard Webber 450 episodesNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesSatellite Award for Best Cast – Television SeriesScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNominated—Golden Nymph Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesNominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesNominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2006–11)Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2006, 2008) 2007–2009 Private Practice Dr. Richard Webber 2 episodes 2010 Seattle Grace: Message of Hope Dr. Richard Webber 6 episodes 2018 Grey's Anatomy: B-Team Dr. Richard Webber 1 episode Yellowstone Old Cowboy Episode: "The Unravelling, Pt. 2" 2018–2022 The Conners Chuck Mitchell 9 episodes 2020–2024 Station 19 Dr. Richard Webber 6 episodes 2022–2023 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Charles (voice) 2 episodes

Video games Year Title Role Notes2004The X-Files: Resist or Serve Deputy Director Alvin Kersh

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