Richard Fiske
actor NYC-DFW-ATL
REVIEWS
LAWYER-TURNED ACTOR APPEARS IN MOBSTER-THEMED DRAMA ‘INK & STEEL’ PREMIERING AT SOHO FILM FESTIVAL SATURDAY
Richard Fiske Takes Law Experience Into a Gritty Crime Drama About a Mob Enforcer On the run

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 13, 2014) – Richard Fiske isn’t your usual defense lawyer. When he isn’t in court dealing with criminal cases, Fiske is often watching a film, taking acting classes or otherwise furthering his other passion – acting. “I have a great fondness for law and how our judicial system works for us all. But I also have a great passion for acting and the work that goes into creating and developing great and believable characters,” said Fiske who stars in the mobster-themed drama “Ink & Steel,” premiering at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at the Soho International Film Festival. The screening will be held at the Village East Cinema, 189 2nd Ave. in New York City. As a criminal defense attorney for New York super lawyer Lawrence F. Ruggiero, Fiske has worked on numerous high-profile cases involving organized crime, drug kingpins, terrorists and major Wall Street figures.
“Having been involved in various criminal cases that focused on organized crime, I was immediately attracted to this story involving a mob enforcer on the run,” Fiske said.
“It didn’t feel difficult playing a character like Michael. That’s a credit to the writers who created a character that while he’s in the mob, he’s still very human and with a lot of feelings.”
A Boston native, Fiske never thought of becoming an actor until he moved to LA in the 80’s and had a chance encounter with a talent scout. This sparked his desire to become an actor and he worked various jobs while studying and taking acting classes.
As the years went by, Fiske found some parts in TV shows such as Criminal Intent and the soap opera “Loving” and others, and also appeared in films and plays while struggling to make ends meet. Then Fiske decided to go to law school. “I knew at some point that I wanted to go to law school and that I wasn’t getting any younger, so I decided to go and become a lawyer and get it done,” Fiske recalled. Even after he began practicing law, the acting bug caught Fiske again and he began performing in a number of films and plays, notably appearing Off Broadway in Murder in the First. His long time acting mentor, Robert X. Modica, believed in Fiske's abilities as far back as when Modica co-taught with acting legend Sanford Meisner. Other Modica alumni who have preceded Fiske include John Turturro and David Duchovny. “I’m very thankful that my boss is very supportive of my acting,” Fiske said. “I got to take two weeks off to work on a film that has some really great people behind it.” “Ink & Steel” Began production in November 2012 just before Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast and began battering the Eastern seaboard where production was taking place. After the hurricane hit, producers Jonathan Ehlers and Patrick Ward-Perkins were forced to choose between gas in their vehicles or using the gas to power their makeshift alternator to charge their camera batteries. Despite the hardship, it was this grit and determination by the film’s talented cast and crew that brought “Ink & Steel” to life, Ehlers said. “We’re especially proud of Richard’s work as a father-figure to Jimmy, the troubled son of a mob boss, played by Tyler Noble,” Ehlers said. Ward-Perkins added: “That is one of the strengths of our film. We have a truly talented and determined cast and crew that overcame all the challenges thrown at them to make this film happen and we’re extremely grateful to them.” “Ink & Steel” is produced and directed by Jonathan Ehlers & Patrick Ward-Perkins, executive produced by Marc Schwaber, Aaron Kia and Moe & Betty Steinberg; written by Jonathan Ehlers & Patrick Ward-Perkins and Jason Radspinner for LoneShark Studios. The cast includes Richard Fiske, Tyler Noble, Molly Ryman, Jack Millard and Jason Beckman. Running time is 2 hours, 14 minutes.To learn more, please visit www.InkAndSteelMovie.com and www.LoneSharkStudios.com.