From Banker to Actor – Rex Linn’s Biography: Net Worth, Family

Who is Rex Linn?

Rex is an American actor known for his roles in both films and television. He’s appeared in numerous movies, including “Cliffhanger”, “Rush Hour”, and “Django Unchained”, and is also recognized for his portrayal of Frank Tripp in the television series “CSI: Miami”, in addition to many other notable projects he has worked on during his career.

Rex Linn Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education

Rex Maynard Linn was born on 13 November 1956, in Perryton, Texas, USA; the son of Darlene and James Paul Linn, he is the third child in the family. When 13 years old, the family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as his father accepted a job offer there. He went to Heritage Hall School, and then Casady School, during which he became deeply interested in acting and was a part of numerous school productions, including “Fiddler on the Roof”. However, he destroyed the set during the production, and his drama teacher told him he should find another hobby to direct his energy.

After high school, he enrolled at Oklahoma State University, from which he obtained a BA degree in Radio, Television, and Film.

Work as a Banker and with an Oil Company

After completing his education, Linn gradually climbed the ranks within Lakeshore Bank, and eventually held the position of vice president of energy lending, however, on 5 July 1982, the bank faced financial difficulties and became insolvent. Undeterred, Linn convinced a talent agent to a leap of faith and become his representative in Oklahoma. Concurrently, he secured employment with an oil company, where he supervised field operations in western Oklahoma, all the while actively auditioning for roles in movies and television commercials.

Acting Career Beginnings

Following his experience in filming commercials, Linn began securing minor roles in a range of projects. It was during this period that he received a significant opportunity to participate in his debut film, “Dark Before Dawn”. Notably, the film was produced by Linn’s close companion and best friend, Edward K. Gaylord II.

His first major role was as serial killer Floyd Epps in the 1989 mystery-thriller film “Night Game”, starring Roy Scheider and directed by Peter Masterson, after which, Rex continued his career with a number of film roles throughout the early ’90s. In the 1993 action thriller “Cliffhanger”, Linn portrayed Richard Travers. The film follows a mountain climber, played by Sylvester Stallone, who becomes entangled in a heist plot in the Rocky Mountains.

In the 1994 adventure film “Iron Will”, Rex Linn portrayed Joe McPherson. The story revolves around a young man who enters a dogsled race to save his family’s farm from financial ruin. The same year, he appeared in the Western film “Wyatt Earp” as Frank McLaury, a biographical depiction of the life of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp played by Kevin Costner, and his experiences in the Old West.

The same year he appeared in the action thriller “Clear and Present Danger” as Washington Detective. Based on the novel by Tom Clancy, it follows CIA analyst Jack Ryan, played by Harrison Ford, as he uncovers a conspiracy involving drug cartels and political corruption.

Then in the action film “Drop Zone”, Linn played Bobby in the movie that centers around a US Marshal, played by Wesley Snipes, who teams up with a skydiving instructor to track down a group of criminals.

The following year, he appeared in the adventure film “Cutthroat Island” as Mr. Blair. The movie follows the adventures of a female pirate, played by Geena Davis, and her quest for buried treasure.

In the 1996 romantic comedy “Tin Cup”, Linn played Dewey; the film revolves around a talented but down-on-his-luck golfer, played by Kevin Costner, who falls in love with a psychologist (played by Rene Russo). In the same year, he appeared in action thriller “The Long Kiss Goodnight”, in a minor role of a Man in a Bed. The movie follows a woman, played by Geena Davis, suffering from amnesia who discovers her past as a trained assassin.

The same year he was Martin Scott in the historical drama “Ghosts of Mississippi”, based on the true story of the trial of Byron De La Beckwith, who was charged with the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, with Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg and James Woods in the lead roles.

From 1997 to 2000, Rex Linn had a recurring role in the television series “JAG” as Lt. Mark “Falcon” Sokol, appearing in five episodes of the legal drama that follows the work of military lawyers, focusing on the cases and personal lives of the members of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Rex had a rather busy 1997, playing Sheriff Boyd in the thriller film “Breakdown”, starring Kurt Russell, whose wife goes missing during a road trip, leading him to uncover a dangerous conspiracy. The same year, he appeared in the post-apocalyptic film “The Postman” as Mercer; the story is set in a future in which society has collapsed, and a nomadic drifter, played by Kevin Costner, pretends to be a postman to bring hope to isolated communities.

Then in 1998, he appeared as Jay Jay in the comedy film “The Odd Couple II”. The movie is a sequel to “The Odd Couple” and reunites the mismatched roommates Felix Unger, played by Jack Lemmon, and Oscar Madison, played by Walter Matthau, for a comedic adventure.

Moreover, he was Agent Dan Whitney in the action-comedy film “Rush Hour” with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in lead roles, and before the decade ended, he was seen in the romantic comedy film “Blast from the Past”, and the psychological thriller “Instinct”, starring Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr.

David Caruso and Rex Linn – CSI: Miami – Horatio and Frank #davidcaruso #rexlinm #csimiami #horatiocaine #franktripp @davidcaruso1 @rexlinn pic.twitter.com/73yXM2bbkM

— 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙣 🌹😎🇩🇪 (@MartinaRosemann) May 6, 2018

The 2000s and Breakout Role in “CSI: Miami”

He began the 2000s with the recurring role of Karl Vasick in the TV series “The Fugitive”, appearing in a total of five episodes throughout the drama series, based on the ’60s series, with Tim Daly in the main role.

Then, in 2002, Linn landed his career-defining role as Sergeant Frank Tripp in the hit television series “CSI: Miami”, portraying the character throughout the show’s run from 2002 to 2012, appearing in a total of 187 episodes. Tripp is a prominent member of the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigation unit, a seasoned detective with a no-nonsense attitude and a sharp eye for detail. He often served as a reliable and loyal ally to the show’s main characters, including Lieutenant Horatio Caine, played by David Caruso, and the rest of the CSI team. Linn’s portrayal of Tripp earned him a dedicated fan base ,and solidified his status as a beloved character within the “CSI: Miami” series.

Other Projects and Recent Work

During his tenure on “CSI: Miami”, Rex Linn appeared in various notable projects, sharing the screen with several renowned actors. In the 2003 action thriller “The Hunted”, Linn portrayed Powell, appearing alongside actors such as Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro. The film follows the pursuit of a rogue special forces operative who becomes a serial killer.

Then in the comedy film “Cheaper by the Dozen”, Linn played Coach Bricker, appearing alongside Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt. The movie revolves around a large family and their comedic misadventures.

In the 2004 heist comedy “After the Sunset”, Linn portrayed Agent Kowalski, sharing the screen with Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, and Woody Harrelson. The film follows a master thief who is enticed into one last heist.

This was followed by the 2005 crime thriller “The Zodiac”,in which Linn played Jim Martinez, appearing alongside Justin Chambers. The movie is based on the real-life unsolved Zodiac killings in the late 1960s and 1970s. In the same year, Linn appeared in the drama film “American Gun” portraying Earl, starring alongside Forrest Whitaker. The movie explores the impact of guns on American society through interconnected stories.

The following year he was a part of the comedy-drama “Two Tickets to Paradise” cast playing Karl, sharing the screen with John C. McGinley. The film follows three friends who embark on a road trip to reconnect with their past.

In the 2006 horror film “Abominable”, Linn portrayed Farmer Hoss. The movie centers around a group of friends who encounter a vicious creature in the mountains.

In the 2008 Western film “Appaloosa”, Linn portrayed Sheriff Clyde Stringer, appearing alongside Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen. The movie follows two lawmen who are hired to protect a small town from a dangerous rancher.

Four years later, he appeared in the film “Atlas Shrugged: Part II” as Kip Chalmer. This was the second installment of the “Atlas Shrugged” film series based on Ayn Rand’s novel.

The same year he appeared in the Western film “Django Unchained”; Linn portrayed Tennessee Henry, sharing the screen with Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie follows a freed slave who teams up with a bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a ruthless plantation owner.

In 2013, Rex Linn appeared in the film “Devil’s Knot” as Chief Inspector Gitchell. The movie is based on the true story of the West Memphis Three case, in which three teenagers were wrongfully convicted of murder.

In 2014, Linn starred in the horror comedy “Zombeavers” as Smyth. The film follows a group of college students who encounter zombie beavers while on vacation. Also in 2014, Linn had a role in the comedy western “A Million Ways to Die in the West” as Sheriff/Narrator; directed by Seth MacFarlane, it’s a humorous take on the dangers of living in the Old West.

From 2016 to 2022, Linn had a recurring role in the television series “Better Call Saul” as Kevin Wachtell, a wealthy businessman who becomes entangled with the show’s main characters, Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk, and Mike Ehrmantraut played by Jonathan Banks.

From 2017 to 2018, Linn had a recurring role as Nathan Riggs in the television series “Lethal Weapon”. Nathan Riggs is the father of one of the main characters, Detective Martin Riggs, played by Clayne Crawford.

Since 2017, Linn has been portraying Principal Tom Petersen in the television series “Young Sheldon”, the principal of Medford High School, who plays a role in the academic journey of the young Sheldon Cooper, played by Iain Armitage.

In recent years, he had a recurring role as Buck Barnes in the television series “Big Sky” (2022), and played Bart Crawford in the film “The Hammer” (2023).

Net Worth

According to authoritative sources, Rex Linn’s net worth is estimated at $5 million, as of mid-2023.

Personal Life, Marriage, Wife, Children

Rex Linn has been very secretive about his personal life. Until 2020 there was no information on his past affairs, then it was revealed that he was dating country singer Reba McEntire. According to reports, he hasn’t been married, and doesn’t have children.

Appearance and Body Measurements

Rex Linn is known for his balding head, and he has blue eyes. He stands at a height of 6ft 4ins (1.93m), while he weighs approximately 175lbs (80kgs). His vital statistics are unknown, but he has an average figure.