Background
Pierson was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Helen T. (née McGinness) and Roy J. Pierson, who worked in business.
Pierson was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Helen T. (née McGinness) and Roy J. Pierson, who worked in business.
Yale School of Drama.
He is also known for his roles on Ryan"s Hope and Dexter. Unhappily Ever After was created by one of the original creators of FOX"s Married.. with Children. Other television roles include a regular role as R.T. Howard on That 80"s Show, and recurring roles on Grace Under Fire as Grace"s ex-husband Jimmy and on 24 as President John Keeler, appearing in 19 episodes in Seasons 3 and 4.
He appeared in the 2003 Comedy Central television film Windy City Heat as "The President of Show Business".
In 2006, he guest-starred in Criminal Minds, playing Max Ryan, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent-turned-author and also Jason Gideon"s mentor who comes out of his retirement to capture a serial killer known as the Keystone Killer in the episode, Unfinished Business. He appeared in the 2008 film Changeling as the flamboyant defense attorney Sammy "South.S." Hahn.
Beginning in 2010, he had a recurring role in Boardwalk Empire as Senator Walter Edge. In 2011, Pierson played Midas Mulligan in Atlas Shrugged, based on Ayn Rand"s novel of the same name.
He played Russell Dunbar"s wealthy father in Rules of Engagement.
He had a minor recurring character on the show Young Justice as Jay Garrick. He appeared during season four of Castle, and in 2014 appeared in an episode of Suburgatory.