1. Early Life and Background
Vince Vieluf was born in Joliet, Illinois, on November 10, 1970. He spent a significant portion of his youth in Portland, Texas, where he completed his high school education. During his time in high school, Vieluf began to accumulate experience in drama and theater, which laid the foundation for his future career in acting.
2. Career
Vince Vieluf's career in the entertainment industry encompassed work as an actor, director, and screenwriter, marked by a range of roles in both film and television before he transitioned away from mainstream acting.
2.1. Acting Debut and Early Roles
Vieluf made his professional acting debut in 1997 in the made-for-TV movie On the Edge of Innocence, playing the character Timothy 'Trader' Wells. Following this, he quickly secured appearances in several prominent television series, including Cracker in 1997, and later ER in 1998, where he appeared as Bernard Gamely. In 1999, he featured in Early Edition and had recurring appearances in Jesse in 1999 and 2000, steadily building his acting resume.
2.2. Notable Film and Television Work
Vieluf's career included significant roles across a variety of genres. In film, he appeared in An American Werewolf in Paris (1997) as Brad and Clay Pigeons (1998) as Deputy Barney. His comedic talent was particularly showcased in the 2001 ensemble comedy Rat Race, where he co-starred as Blaine Cody, a dim-witted brother alongside Seth Green. The film also featured notable comedic actors such as Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson, and John Cleese. He continued to appear in films like National Lampoon's Barely Legal (2003) as Tom Cooperman and Grind (2003) as Matt Jensen. In 2006, Vieluf took on the role of Pim, a vicious henchman, in the suspense thriller Firewall, and later played a "jock" version of Wolverine in the 2007 parody film Epic Movie.
On television, Vieluf made a notable appearance in the hit series Friends in 2001, portraying Ned Morse, a character who pretends to be in love with his professor, Ross Geller, in order to pass a test. He was also a regular cast member in the short-lived UPN sitcom Love, Inc. (2005-2006), playing Barry, a quirky wingman whose eccentricities often surprised those around him. Vieluf also had recurring roles in the crime drama franchise, appearing in three episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Connor Foster between 2003 and 2009 (specifically in "Homebodies", "Ending Happy", and "Disarmed and Dangerous"), and later in the spinoff series CSI: Miami in 2007 as Gil Callem.
2.3. Directing and Writing Activities
Beyond his acting roles, Vieluf expanded his involvement in the film industry to include directing and screenwriting. In 2010, he directed and wrote the film Order of Chaos. After largely stepping away from mainstream acting, he continued to dabble in writing and music, indicating a continued creative engagement outside of traditional acting roles.
3. Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | On the Edge of Innocence | Timothy 'Trader' Wells |
| An American Werewolf in Paris | Brad | |
| 1998 | Chick Flick | |
| Clay Pigeons | Deputy Barney | |
| 1999 | Sleeping Beauties | Vince |
| 2000 | Dropping Out | Andrew |
| Everything Put Together | Jim | |
| 2001 | Rat Race | Blaine Cody |
| Friends | Ned Morse | |
| 2002 | Four Reasons | Pharmacist |
| 2003 | National Lampoon's Barely Legal | Tom Cooperman |
| Grind | Matt Jensen | |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Connor Foster | |
| 2004 | Death Valley | Reno |
| 2005 | Snow Wonder | Mario |
| Love, Inc. | Barry | |
| 2006 | Firewall | Pim |
| 2007 | Epic Movie | Wolverine |
| CSI: Miami | Gil Callem | |
| 2009 | The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle | O.C. |
| 2010 | Hysteria | Gabriel |
| Order of Chaos |
4. Personal Life and Later Years
In 2009, Vince Vieluf experienced the passing of his mother. This event prompted a significant personal decision, and in 2010, he chose to step away from mainstream acting. His stated reason for this career shift was a desire to become a "more grounded person." Following this decision, Vieluf moved closer to his family, seeking a lifestyle change away from the demands of the entertainment industry. He subsequently took up work at the South Austin Beer Garden and has since disconnected from social media. While no longer actively pursuing a career in Hollywood acting, Vieluf continues to engage in creative pursuits, dabbling in writing and music.