Biography for
Grant Show More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

27 February 1962, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Birth Name

Grant Alan Show

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Only son of Ed and Kathleen Show. Raised in San Jose, California with older sister, Kelly. He studied acting at Samuel Ayer high School, and then majored in theater arts at UCLA. His first professional role was Rick Hyde in "Ryan's Hope" from 1984 to 1987. He then to a year sabbatical to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. After returning to America he worked in the theater, whilst starring in the occasional television show. In 1992 he was cast as Jake Hanson in the television hit "Melrose Place". Since then he has starred in numerous shows including "Swingtown", "Private Practice" and HBO's "Big Love".

IMDb Mini Biography By: anon-14

Mini Biography

Born in Detroit, Show's family struck out on a quest for a better life, moving to Northern California when he was two years old.

He caught the acting bug in high school and attended UCLA, majoring in theatre arts. It was in his final year there that he won a role on Ryan's Hope (for which he was nominated for an Emmy) and moved to New York. However, his study of his craft did not end there. He attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts where he had the opportunity to study with the British masters. His acting teachers in the US have included Richard Lawson; Steve Railsback; Larry Moss; Milton Justice and most recently, Ivana Chubuck. He also had the great good fortune of being taken under Stella Adler's wing during his time in New York.

A lover of nature and fascinated by science, Show's favorite past times range from fishing and golfing to watching the Discovery Channel endlessly. He raced cars professionally for a time but is content these days with driving his '68 Mustang convertible, a car he has had since high school, and taking his Harley out with his wife.

Show is well known for his role as Jake Hanson in the ubiquitous Melrose Place. He has starred in many TV movies and reoccurred on such shows as Six Feet Under, Strong Medicine, Beautiful People and Point Pleasant.

Less well known is his extensive theatre work. He was Terry Malloy in the first ever stage production of On The Waterfront; Doctor Jason Posner in the Off-Broadway Pulitzer winner Wit and The Gentleman Caller in The Glass Menagerie with Elizabeth Ashley at The Alley Theatre in Houston.

Show recently guested on Courteney Cox's FX show, Dirt where he triumphed as publicly closeted but privately promiscuous gay action hero Jack Dawson. His capacity for playing "love to hate" characters (Point Pleasant, Dirt, The Italian Job (deleted scene)) with vigor and heart has earned him his latest role on CBS's Swingtown (airing mid season) where he will be challenged to bring humanity to a man who has his cake and eats it too.

Set in the decadent era of the 1970s, Show will play Tom Decker, a married airline pilot who hosts swingers parties in an attempt to keep his marriage buoyant. He will be joined in the cast by Jack Davenport and Molly Parker who will play Show's neighbors. Lana Parilla will play his wife, Trina Decker.

Swingtown is also the perfect fit for director Alan Poul (Six Feet Under, Big Love). Poul's mastery with morally complex material where far from nuclear families duke out their lives together should make Swingtown one to watch. With Show in the mix, watch out for the sizzle.

Show is further expanding his horizons taking on the role of producer on an upcoming film project in which he may also play the lead. He is set to open his first restaurant, The Happy Ending, on the Sunset strip in mid July.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Pollyanna McIntosh

Spouse

Pollyanna McIntosh

(17 July 2004 - present) (filed for divorce)

Trivia

Owns a Harley soft tail motorcycle, but hasn't much time to ride (1994).

Has enjoyed playing golf since 1990, but became more active in the sport in 1994. Favorite golf courses are on the Nickolas course at the PGA West in Palm Springs and at the Troon North in Carefree, Arizona.

Drove 1965 red convertable Mustang in Highschool.

Former roommate of Jon Hensley.

Grant Show's character Jake Hanson is the only actor to appear on all 3 shows: "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1990), "Melrose Place" (1992) and "Models Inc." (1994)

Personal Quotes

"I like playing a good guy. I will say that Jake from "Melrose Place" (1992) is a little too nice, but in a show that's painted with very broad strokes, if you're going to be good, you're going to be very good, and if you're bad, you're going to be very, very bad. So if I had to make a choice, I'd opt for the good guy." (Answer to question of fan on 'Progidy Online Service' Nov/1994)

Where Are They Now

(December 1999) Plays Dr. Jason Posner in the Off-Broadway play Wit, starring Judith Light, through the end of the year.

(May 2007) Will appear as Tom Decker in CBS's upcoming show Swingtown directed by Alan Poul. Opening his first restaurant, The Happy Ending, on Hollywood's Sunset strip in mid July 2007.