JR Reed

JR Reed (born December 13, 1967, as Jason William Reed) is an American character actor and singer, originally from Corvallis, Oregon. He is best known for his roles as "Lee" with American rock band Tenacious D, mainly in their television series and in their 2006 film The Pick of Destiny, as well as featuring at live concerts. He would also form the band Trainwreck with Kyle Gass in 2002 alongside Tenacious D guitarist Kyle Gass, performing as the lead singer. Trainwreck broke up in 2010, though reformed in 2018. Outside of these appearances, Reed mainly features in sporadic television, web-series and film appearances, as well as in commercial work. Early and personal life Reed was born in Corvallis, Oregon, though grew up in Las Vegas, where he graduated from Bonanza High School. He moved to L.A after graduating, where currently lives and worked as a handyman, before attending UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Career Acting and music Reed enrolled in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in 1987 and graduated in 1991. He joined Tim Robbins' The Actors' Gang and his first production with the group was the Good Woman of Setzuan. JR met Kyle Gass and knew Jack Black from UCLA previously, which led him to getting hired as a roadie and playing Spider-Man at early Tenacious D concerts. In 1996, Reed starred in his first film, The Shot. His Actors' Gang production "Kick Ass Militia" won the Backstage West Play Production of the Year award in 1997. In 1999, JR starred in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and in 2000 featured in Tenacious D's TV series as "Lee". In 2001, Reed made appearances in Dead Last and The Anniversary Party. In 2002, JR started a side-project band with Gass called Trainwreck with Kyle Gass. He can also be seen on The Complete Masterworks Tenacious D concert DVD.