Joel Gretsch

"Who?" You ask? Indeed, who. Joel Gretsch, though not recognizable in name, and maybe not terribly recognizable in face, is a quintessential character actor...AND, he's from Minnesota. Double trouble!

My sister sent me a text informing me that Joel Gretsch is the the new V mini-series that is airing right this second. I am not watching it, however, my step-son has overtaken the TV with Nicktoons.

Cori and I have a long history with Joel. No, we don't know him, but he is from St. Cloud, which is where some of our extended family reside. No, our history, as it should be, is based in his work. It all began with Steven Spielberg's wonderful mini-series Taken, about aliens come to earth. Joel was the cute hero, we IMDb'd him back then, and became giddy upon learning he is from our home state. That same year, Spielberg's "Minority Report" came out. Joel appeared in the first ten minutes or so as a potential murder victim. I believe even in the theater, Cori and I both went, "Joel!" when he appeared on screen.

Another quick story about me working at the bookstore: A handsome blonde man would often frequent our cafe a few nights a week. He always came in workout gear, so we must have been his stop after the gym. Once I became familiar with Joel, I was convinced this guy was him. He was the spitting image. I mean, he is from Minnesota, after all. A city not terribly far from where my Barnes and Noble was, too! I spilled the beans to my co-worker, Jennifer. "See that guy in the cafe?" I whispered to her, "he is totally an actor, he was in Minority Report, you know that Tom Cruise movie?" Jennifer looked, "Hey...I know that guy!" She said...wait, what? "I'll go ask him." No! I was suddenly super-embarrassed and went and hid behind a bookshelf. I watched her make animated conversation with this guy, he was friendly and polite, then she came back over to me. "Haha, he's not an actor!" She said, "Oh, jeez, what did he say when you asked him?" I asked Jennifer, "He said, 'Man, I wish I was in a movie with Tom Cruise.!'" Heh, embarrassed! But, you probably really don't want to be in a movie with Tom Cruise, dude. He'd probably try to recruit you to, I dunno....something.

Joel Gretsch has really found his niche with aliens, however. After Taken he went to star in the cable series The 4400, which at first was about aliens, but then turned out to be about people from the future? I think? It kind of became a big 'ol mess after a while. He was the FBI agent trying to figure it all out. He then went to play bit parts in some pretty sizable movies. Crappy but sizable movies, like "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" and "Push". Oh, and hark, do I see a Law and Order credit on the CV, too? Why, yes, yes I do. Law and Order: Criminal Intent, but it still fits under that Dick Wolf umbrella.

Now, starring in V, Joel continues on with his alien love.

Fun fact: He's married to William Shanter's daughter!

Viva La St. Cloud!