~ Turned down a theatre and music scholarship after high school to move to Hollywood.
Gregg Andrew Rainwater was born in the east Michigan city of Flint on February 27, 1966. Like his character Buck, Gregg is part Native American, but of Cherokee-Osage ancestry. He is also of Irish decent. This 5'11" actor likes ultralight gliding, theatre and art museums, singing and photography, and country music.
Gregg got his start acting in local community theatre, appearing continuously throughout elementary school, and in high school productions. He was so taken with acting that he infiltrated a rival high school's drama department and appeared in their plays as well. He also got involved with the music programs of the Warren Youth Chorale and toured the UK with the group.
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 active in theater. He joined the West Coast Ensemble group and appeared in Andrew Campbell's award-winning "American Basswood" among other productions. His most recent theater role was Giovanni in the world premiere rock musical version of "'Tis A Pity She's A Whore."
Then came the role of Buck Cross on "The Young Riders", the somewhat mystical half-breed who would often use his knowledge of the ancient teachings of his people to help his friends. He has an acute sense of hearing as well as sight, therefore, he was often aware of approaching danger before his friends and early enough to do something about it. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the traditions and lore of other Plaines tribes. All of these skills made him unique among the riders and were put to use. His absence on the big or small screens not with standing, 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.
After the show ended he starred in a couple of movies, Street Fighter (1994) & Ocean Tribe (1997). He also made an appearance in the popular series "Walker: Texas Ranger" and appeared in the cartoon "Gargoyles" as a voice actor. Gregg also made a guest appearance in "Promised Land".
And if you think you haven't heard from this star in a while, you can catch his voice in Disney's Pocahontas 2 this year as well as an uncredited role in Foreign Correspondents (1999). Many of Gregg's fans are supportive and awaiting any new projects he enters into.
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 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.
At The Movies
1999 Foreign Correspondents, Marcel
1998 Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Additional Voices
1997 Ocean Tribe, Noah
1994 Street Fighter, T. Hawk
Tv Movies and Shows
1989 "The Young Riders" Series, Buck Cross
Tv Guest Appearances
1996 "Promised Land" playing "Arthur Yazzi" in episode: "Outrage, The" (episode # 1.18) 3/18/1997
1994 "Gargoyles" playing "Coyote Trickster"(voice) in episode: "Cloud Fathers" (episode # 2.41) 2/21/1996
1994 "Gargoyles" playing "Natsilane"(voice) in episode: "Heritage" (episode # 2.25) 11/27/1995
1993 "Walker, Texas Ranger" playing "David Little Eagle Jackson" in episode: "Legend of Running Bear, The" (episode # 2.11) 1/8/1994
