J. August Richards-Gunn

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in the Maryland suburb of Bladensburg, Richards discovered his love for acting at an early age, enrolling in a performing arts high school and appearing in several plays a year. Academically confident and determined to move out to Los Angeles to pursue his acting aspirations, Richards applied to only one college. Not only was he accepted into the University of Southern California, he also won numerous scholarships and grants to study theater.

Upon graduation, Richards began working steadily in film, television and theater. Playing a rapping bike messenger who believes he is an alien abductee, it was the role of Taj Mahal in the Mark Taper Forum's production of Space that first brought recognition and rave reviews to the young actor.

On the big screen, Richards has appeared in the feature films Why Do Fools Fall in Love? and Good Burger. He starred in the television movies Ground Zero, The Temptations and Mutiny. Richards has also guest-starred on The West Wing, The Practice, Chicago Hope, The Cosby Show and Any Day Now.

Richards crashed onto the LA scene in the first season of Angel as Gunn, the street-wise, vampire hunter. He quickly became one of the most popular characters to date in Jossverse as he overcame his own reservations of fighting alongside the vampire Angel, the one thing he detested. Upon seeing the heart of the operation, Gunn became a key player in the fight against evil.

Gunn’s macho exterior hid a softer side which was revealed when he fell for Fred. The two played out what at first seemed to be a beautiful relationship, but following the murder of Fred’s college professor at the hands of Gunn, their love affair took a turn for the worst. The added pressure of Wesley’s interest in Fred took its toll and the couple split up but continued to work together. But Richards acting came to the fore in the final season of Angel, when Gunn had to come to terms with a part he played in the death of a friend. Richard’s portrayal was so outstanding that it earned him a special mention by various TV critics. His performance blew them and the fans away.

In his free time, Richards enjoys painting and has developed an interest in astronomy since working on Space. He travelled throughout the United States while on tour with the production and enjoys visiting his parents' native country of Panama as well as other regions of Central America. Richards also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Richards currently lives in Los Angeles, California.