Raymond Herbert "Ray" Wise, an American actor of considerable renown, was born on August 20, 1947. His impressive repertoire of roles includes the iconic portrayal of Leland Palmer in the groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks, which premiered in 1990. Additionally, he brought to life the formidable henchman Leon C. Nash in the 1987 science fiction classic RoboCop. Wise's extensive filmography also includes the memorable role of Jack Taggart Sr. in Jeepers Creepers 2, which was released in 2003. Furthermore, he took on the pivotal role of the Devil in the CW television series Reaper, which aired from 2007 to 2009. More recently, Wise appeared as Donald Wadsworth in the 2014 dark comedy film Suburban Gothic.
Ray Wise was born in Akron, Ohio, and completed his secondary education at Garfield High School in 1964. He subsequently attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where he further honed his academic and artistic skills. Wise's maternal heritage is Romanian, a testament to the rich cultural diversity that has shaped his life and career.
