The great character actor Richard Edson's first feature film role came in Jim Jarmusch's 1983 cult hit, Muukalaisten paratiisi (1984), where he played "Eddie", one of the main characters. Edson then had small, but memorable, roles in other big hits such as Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), John Hughes' Vaihdetaan vapaalle, Ferris (1986), Oliver Stone's great Vietnam-movie Platoon - nuoret sotilaat (1986), Barry Levinson's Hyvää huomenta, Vietnam (1987) and, in 1989, Edson starred in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing - Kuuma päivä (1989). In 1993, he played "Spike", one of the evil King Koopa's henchmen, in Super Mario Bros (1993) and, in 1995, he had a part in the engaging sci-fi thriller, Strange Days (1995). More recently, he has appeared in the remake of Starsky & Hutch (2004), the dubious horror-flick, Frankenfish (2004) and is currently starring with Tom Arnold in The Kid & I (2005).In addition to his film success, Edson has had a fascinating career in music, being the original drummer in the New York post-punk band, Sonic Youth, and spending three years as drummer for the rhythmic dance band, Konk. (Actually, he was a trumpet player in Konk, not the drummer) It was his involvement in Konk and the New York art scene that caught Jim Jarmusch's eye and led to his being cast in Muukalaisten paratiisi (1984).Edson currently lives in Los Angeles where, in addition to acting, he is very active in music, writing and photography.
