Richard Lee Givens
SAG/AFTRA
Writer,
Actor, Producer, Director
At the age of twelve Richard’s Mom & step-dad sold their home in Los Angeles
and moved to North Hollywood, California seeking better schools and housing.
Richard thought that it would be a cultural shock, but it was a smooth
transition due to the fact that the same kids that he knew from his old
elementary schools were now getting bussed to his new School in North
Hollywood. They called it the P.W.T. Program. He was back with
his old friends again and they helped make moving a smooth transition.
Richard attended Grant High School in Van Nuys, California and broke several
football rushing records as a Running Back at Grant High School.
Richard loved entertaining so much that he decided to be the Noon D.J.
during Lunch at Grant High.
Richard’s dad lived on the east side of Long Beach, so Richard would spend
time between Long Beach & North Hollywood. This allowed Richard to be
able to be versatile in the art of verbal communication. (East Side Long
Beach as opposed to the Suburbs of North Hollywood.) After leaving
High School, Richard attended Trade School for Computers, and then entered
the job market as a Computer Operator. After one of the Companies went
out of business in 1994. Richard decided to study the Entertainment field.
After appearing in several films and commercials such as the HBO Special
Tyson (The Story of Mike Tyson’s life), playing the part of Butch Lewis, and
the Stage Play “The Bar of God” (playing the part of God), Richard knew that
this was what he wanted to do. By being on the movie sets Richard was
able to study other actors, directors, and film crews in action.
Richard became a human sponge for knowledge of the industry. Richard also
went back to being a D.J., even doing some interning with Little Ricci from
Mega 100 Radio Station. Richard also D.J.’d at various Night Clubs and
Private Parties. Richard began writing Rampart in 1994. The story had been
written before the Rampart scandal had appeared in the News. Richard decided
to use the title name of Rampart because the content of his film was very
similar to the Rampart story. Richard’s upcoming projects will revolve
around the South Central Los Angeles Gang Truce, and Horror films in an
effort to move toward main stream films,