Dean Winters
Dean Winters
Dean Winters is an American actor. Best known for his role as Ryan O'Reily on the HBO prison drama Oz, he has also appeared on such television series as Rescue Me, 30 Rock, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as the character "Mayhem" in a series of Allstate Insurance commercials. Winters co-starred with Josh Duhamel in one season of the CBS Network series cop drama Battle Creek...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTV Actor
Date of Birth20 July 1964
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
When there's not ten feet of snow on the ground, I ride my bike down the streets of New York, and I literally hear two things out of car windows as cabs pass by me: They either yell, 'Hey, dummy,' or 'Hey, Mayhem.'
I really love Paul Smith. And Chrome Hearts. They make the most beautiful, high-end leather and outerwear and jewelry youve ever seen. But Im not a big fan of shopping. I certainly am a fan of clothes and especially people that put time into the construction of them.
I'm not a big fan of shopping. I certainly am a fan of clothes, and especially people that put time into the construction of them.
The best thing an actor can bring to a role is himself - that's no secret.
On a show like 'Oz,' I was wearing Dickies and a cut-off shirt and a gold cross.
I'm Irish, I'm from New York, and I definitely have issues.
I grew up in New York, and I've always been surrounded by fashion. My grandmother used to write for 'Vogue' in the '50s, and my mother was a dancer and a model.
I never go into a scene - ever, ever, ever - thinking, I have to make myself more empathetic toward the audience. Once you start doing that, you get into really dangerous territory. I think you start to become kind of untrue to the character.
I wanted to become an actor so I didn't have to put on a suit and sell insurance.
I've done a few jobs out there for the money, and I find those jobs have come back to haunt me.
I've definitely become more aware of the penal system and more aware of what life could be like inside a prison.
I've been in scenes with my brother where I've been absolutely emotionally terrified to go somewhere. But because he's my brother, I feel safe.
I've always been drawn to stories involving brothers, which started with my first viewing of Sean Penn's, 'The Indian Runner.' This subsequently lead to my working with my two brothers, Scott & Brad. I couldn't imagine a greater gift in the business.
School and I never seemed to walk hand in hand.