Dean Gerard Winters (born July 20, 1964) is an American actor, known for his role as Ryan O’Reily on the HBO prison drama Oz. He has appeared in Millennium, Rescue Me, 30 Rock, Sex and the City, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Winters is also recognized for portraying “Mayhem” in Allstate Insurance commercials.
He co-starred in Battle Creek and had a recurring role as “The Vulture” on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In 2023, he appeared in The Out-Laws and in Monsieur Spade (2024).
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Dean Winters Net Worth
Dean Winters has a net worth of $6 million. He is best known for playing Ryan O’Reily on “Oz” (1997–2003), Johnny Gavin on “Rescue Me” (2004–2011), Dennis Duffy on “30 Rock” (2006–2012), and Mayhem in the Allstate Insurance commercials (2010–present).
Winters has more than 60 acting credits, including “P.S. I Love You” (2007), “John Wick” (2014), and “Lost Girls” (2020). He also appeared in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1999–2019), “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (2008–2009), and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013–2019).
Early Life
Dean Winters was born in New York City on July 20, 1964 and raised on Long Island. He is of Irish and Italian descent and speaks fluent Italian. Winters has two brothers: actor Scott and writer Bradford, and a sister, Blair.
He spent his teenage years in Scottsdale, Arizona, and attended Chaparral High School. He graduated from Brophy College Preparatory, a Jesuit school in Phoenix, in 1982, and from Colorado College in 1986.
Career
Dean Winters appeared in two Law & Order series: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (as a regular in season one) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (“Purgatory” episode). He also guest-starred in Sex and the City (Season 2 as John McFadden) and returned as Detective Brian Cassidy in SVU in seasons 13-15.
Winters starred in Undercover Angel, Hellraiser: Hellseeker, and P.S. I Love You. He portrayed Charley Dixon in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Avi in John Wick. He also appeared in 30 Rock, Battle Creek, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and American Gods.
Personal Life
Dean Winters has neuropathy, causing numbness and sensitivity issues in his hands and feet. In 2009, Winters contracted a bacterial infection and went into cardiac arrest.
He underwent multiple surgeries and developed gangrene, which led to the amputation of two of his toes and half of one of his thumbs.
Do commercial actors make good money?
Commercial actors can earn substantial income, depending on the campaign’s success and the contract’s terms. While the average hourly pay for a commercial actor is around $12.63, prominent actors like Dean Winters can command much higher fees, especially for long-running and high-profile campaigns.
Conclusion
Dean Winters’ journey in the entertainment industry exemplifies how diverse roles, both in television and commercials, can lead to substantial success. His portrayal of memorable characters and his venture into production signify his versatility and adaptability, contributing to his impressive net worth.
FAQs about Dean Winters
- What role kickstarted Dean Winters’ acting career? – His role in “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
- Has Dean Winters won any awards for his acting? – He earned nominations for his performance in “30 Rock.”
- Is Dean Winters involved in production? – Yes, he produced and starred in “A Civilized Life.”
- What health challenges has Dean Winters faced? – He suffered from a severe sepsis episode in 2009.
- Does Dean Winters have any siblings in the industry? – His brother Scott is also an actor, known for his role in “Oz.”
