Gregg
Rainwater as Buck Cross (aka Running Buck)
In
1990 he was named one of Tinseltown's "10 Sexiest Bachelors" along with
Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and John F. Kennedy Jr. The same year US Magazine
named him "Hottest Semi-known with Unexplored Star Potential." Alas that
potential remains unexplored until today. After The Young Riders' cancellation
in 1993, GREGG RAINWATER all but disappeared from the public view. He appeared
as guest star in Walker Texas Ranger [playing Walker's cousin David Little
Eagle] and has lent his voice a couple of times to the animated series
Gargoyles as Natsilane. He also appeared on the big screen in the movie
Streetfighter starring Jean Claude Van Damme.
His
absence on the big or small screens notwithstanding, Gregg has made an
indelible impression on a lot of women during his run as Buck Cross on
the Young Riders. Buck is the half-White, half-Kiowa who finds himself
torn between two cultures which do not seem to appreciate his uniqueness.
Fortunately, Buck has found a home with the Pony Express riders. Insightful
and wise-beyond-his-years, Buck is one of the best scouts in the territory.
For this reason, the army always looks to him for help in tracking outlaws
or speaking with the various Indian tribes.
Buck,
or Running Buck as he is called by his Kiowa brethren, is the half brother
of war chief Red Bear. He had a promised wife, a White young woman named
Camille or Little Bird, but she was taken by White men during a raid in
the Kiowa camp. A man with quiet humor [he became increasingly funny especially
during the last season], Buck's only problem seems to be the people's prejudice
against his red skin.
Born
in Flint, Michigan, Rainwater knew he wanted to be an actor after seeing
the film Oliver in the sixth grade. After convincing his parents of his
sincere intent to become a professional actor, Rainwater set out to do
community theater plays continuously throughout his elementary and high
school days. After graduating from high school, Rainwater toured England
with the Warren Youth Chorale. Rainwater turned down a scholarship to Wayne
State University in Detroit, Mich. to move to Los Angeles, where he immediately
became involved in theater. He joined the West Coast ensemble Group and
appeared in Andrew Campbell's award-winning American Basswood among other
productions.
After
making several guest appearances on the daytime drama Days Of Our Lives,
Gregg landed his role on The Young Riders. An active member of Earth Communications
Office, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating members of the
entertainment industry on environmental issues, Rainwater devotes his extra
time to a variety of ecological and non-profit organizations, including
Juvenile Diabetes.
Filmography
Foreign
Correspondents (1998) as Marcel -- Director Mark Tapio Kines says Gregg
appears merely as a photograph, but the picture is an integral part of
the plot. From what I could gather, it's a love story. The movie is finished
and according to a dear friend, Circe, it is absolutely wonderful.
Ocean
Tribe (1997) playing Noah -- The movie involves a group of friends
-- one of whom is dying. He wants to see the ocean before he dies so his
dearest buddies take him to fulfill his final wish. I still don't have
an idea if Gregg plays the leader of the pack.
Street
Fighter (1994) T. Hawk -- Reviews described this Jean Claude Van Damme
action flick as "cartoonish." What did they expect? It was based on a video
game! Gregg didn't get to do much, didn't have too many lines but he was
able to kick some butts as Van Damme's second in command. This is the first
time he was seen after the cancelation of The Young Riders. He cut his
hair, chin-length.
...
aka Street Fighter: The Battle for Shadaloo (1994)
...
aka Street Fighter: The Movie (1994)
...
aka Street Fighter: The Ultimate Battle (1994)
Young
Riders, The (1989) TV Series playing "Buck Cross"
Notable guest appearances
Promised
Land (1997) playing Arthur Yazzi in 1997 -- He plays yet another Native
American character. Arthur returns to his people to convince them to sell
their land to developers. He is sort of a villain here, but "goodness"
still radiates from him. Note to managers: no thug/villain roles for this
guy until he learns to listen to his "dark side". Thanks to Lladywolf1
for the screen grabs.
Walker,
Texas Ranger (1993) playing David Little Eagle in 1994 -- Gregg played
Chuck Norris's character's cousin. So, that gives us hope that he might
appear in future episodes (hint! hint!). Gregg's character witnessed a
murder and the killers go after him. It was kind of weird seeing the actor
I've known so long as Buck Cross wear "regular" clothes.
Gargoyles
(1994) playing Coyote Trickster (voice) in episode: Cloud Fathers --
Coyote Trickster was a Kichina spirit who was protecting his ancestral
land. He was somehow connected to a man named Peter Maza, who in turn,
is the father of Eliza Maza, one of the primary characters on the animated
series. Gregg sounded like he was having a lot of fun with the character,
a mischievous entity with a goal. The drawing doesn't quite capture Gregg's
distinguished profile, though.
Gargoyles
(1994) playing Natsilane (voice) in episode: Heritage -- another Native
American character, this one is a scientist who has forgotten the strength
of his heritage. He relies too much on "logical and rational" explanations.
(Hmmm, I know of another character in TV land with the same description.
Here are some screen grabs.
Live With
Regis & Kathie Lee (1990) playing himself ;-) Gregg Rainwater appeared
as a guest of the long-running talk show during the second (or was it the
third) season of The Young Riders. It wasn't really an interview as much
as it was an exhibition of his horseback riding prowess. He showed a couple
of stunts, including one where he gets on the horse just by swinging himself,
instead of using the stirrups. The tape I have of this segment is extremely
old and is not the original, so the screen grabs are not very good. But,
better than nothing, right?
Trivia
Trap (1984) Trivia Trap was a game show in the 80's. Gregg was 18 so that
would make it 1984 when he was on it. There was a Senior and a Junior team
of 3 each. His team won the first time ($10,000), but lost the second.
Occasionally it will rerun on the Game Show Network. Bob Eubanks was the
host. Ain't he a cutie-patootie? (Blurb for Trivia Trap as well as the
pictures provided by Circe).
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