Biography
Randy J. Goodwin, born Ivan J., is known in Hollywood for his integrity, morals and values. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, he began his performing career at age 8, singing, dancing and acting in local theater productions, church plays, musicals, and high school talent shows. Temporarily putting aside his Hollywood dreams, Randy attended the University of Nebraska Architectural School and then joined his older brother in the US Air Force. After completing his active service, he returned to what he loved most...showbiz, performing stand-up comedy and acting in regional theater in Chicago and surrounding cities in the Midwest. After his stint on the comedy scene, Randy made the move to Hollywood. He quickly appeared in several television commercials before landing a supporting role in American History X starring Edward Norton and Stacy Keach. In the same month, he booked his first series regular role, Kennedy Winslow, the first Black NASCAR driver in the Showtime series "Fast Track" exec produced by THE Larry Gelbart (creator of M.A.S.H.) He also starred in "Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story", "The Old Settler", "Hyperion Bay" and "Linc's," his second series for The Showtime Network. He would star in another pilot for Showtime titled "Insatiable" starring Andie MacDowell, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Peter Facinelli. Randy is best known for his character Davis from "Girlfriends". The show was exec produced by Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), who also cast him in "L.A. Sheriff's Homicide" and "Neurotic Tendencies." Randy has worked with Kelsey on five projects.
Other guest star roles include "24", "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", "Navy NCIS", "Yes Dear", "Coupling", "Emeril," "The Steve Harvey Show", "Nash Bridges", "The Pretender", "The Geena Davis Show". Other more recent television appearances include a recurring role on the cult favorite 'Vampire Diaries" and roles on "The Mentalist", "The Client List","Love They Neighbor", "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Rookie". Randy also joined the Disney ranks, guest starring in the hugely successful, "Dog With A Blog" as Barry, Bennet's publisher, and in Disney's newest hit, "Best Friends Whenever", as Vance Carroway.
In motion pictures, Randy has been seen in "Down N' Dirty" starring Fred "Da Hamma" Williamson and Gary Busey, "Flip the Script" starring Robin Givens and Miguel Nunez, Jr. and "Towelhead", a film by Alan Ball starring Aaron Eckhart and Toni Collette.
Upcoming projects include, the soon to be released, "Ernesto's Manifesto", FOX'S 9-1-1, Grey's Anatomy and The Rookie.
After advice from Quintin Tarantino, and stacking many scripts over the years, Randy has moved behind the camera, starring in as well as producing the indie film Xander Cohen aka The Holy Man (Amazon Prime). He also recently wrapped, "The Job", a Christian/Faith based film he produced, starred in and directed. Focus groups and private screening reviews have been through the roof!
He was also spokesman for the Chrysler PT Cruiser for two years.
