American actor Rex Linn was born on November 13, 1956 in Ochiltree County, Texas. He started performing as a child, working the drums with his band during his high school years, and already had a fascination with films and acting. Despite a degree in communications at the Oklahoma State University, he was discouraged from acting after he almost demolished a set during a dance number in a school production. He settled for a banking career, but still landed small roles in television commercials, and later, for films. It was in the late 1980s when he got his first notable film role, in Dark Before Dawn, which happened to be co-produced by a friend. He also served as an associate producer for the film.
After his first major film role—in 1989’s Night Game—Linn moved to Los Angeles, where he trained as an actor and tried his luck for other film roles. After roles in features such as My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys, Thunderheart and Sniper, aside from several television roles, he got his biggest break through a role in the action flick Cliffhanger. He appeared opposite Sylvester Stallone as treasury agent Richard Travers, who aids robbers in stealing huge amounts of currency.
Since then, Linn has appeared in many more films, starring in features such as The Postman, Rush Hour, Blast from the Past, The Hunted, Cheaper by the Dozen, After the Sunset and Abominable. Linn also played memorable roles in television shows. He had a recurring role in the military drama JAG, playing Russian agent Mark Falcon. More recently, he was cast in the crime drama CSI: Miami, as the hard-nosed homicide detective Frank Tripp. He also played guest roles in shows such as Walker, Texas Ranger, The Pretender, Profiler, Nash Bridges, 3rd Rock from the Sun and Saving Grace.
-Rex has said that his favorite episode from CSI: Miami is "Bait" (2x33). He also says the final scene in that episode was a mistake that turned out to be a good ending, it wasn't supposed to end like that but it did because they ran out of film.
-Rex says that Det. Frank Tripp from CSI: Miami is his favorite character.
-He was 32yrs old bank vice president when he gave up being a banker to become an actor in the late 80's.
-Well, first I must say I love to cook. Growing up in Texas subjected me to a lot of outdoor cooking. Through the years I've been fortunate enough to meet and cook with many talented chefs.
-It still blows me away sometimes that somebody even wants to interview me or wants an autograph or a picture with me. I'm thinking, okay, well that's cool, but I wonder why. Sometimes I have to remind myself.
-My goals right now are to not get complacent with my acting, and work on it as hard as I can, and just get to the next level.