As Broots, the Centre's computer genius on NBC's The Pretender, Jon Gries says his character "is forced to dance a little quicker than everyone else because he's trying to function in a dysfunctional family." Gries first began his acting career with a small role as the caretaker of the Tate house in the movie Helter Skelter, which was directed by his late father, Emmy Award winner Tom Gries.

Gries soon moved to New York to study acting with Stella Adler. His next role was in the sequel to the film American Graffiti, and Gries has been working steadily in film and television ever since. Among his film credits are Real Genius, Running Scared, Fright Night Part 2, Ed and His Dead Mother, Get Shorty and Men In Black.

Most recently, Gries co-starred as evil attorney Jay Harrison in the critically acclaimed independent film Twin Falls, Idaho, which also featured his The Pretender co-star, Patrick Bauchau.

His many television credits include guest-starring appearances on NBC's Seinfeld and L.A. Law, as well as Bakersfield P.D., Beverly Hills, 90210, The X-Files and Chicago Hope. In addition, Gries co-starred as radio engineer Sean McDermott in the cable series Martin.

An avid musician, Gries sang and played harmonica for several years with the Los Angeles band Carnival Dogs. He is currently working on his own CD, in which he plays guitar and sings. Gries also co-wrote one of the songs on the Twin Falls, Idaho soundtrack.