From the Berkeley Hills to Paris, Milan, and Barcelona, Ed Quinn’s path has been anything but ordinary. What began with surfboards, lifeguard towers, and a history degree turned into a whirlwind of international modeling, over thirty commercials across Europe, and a steady climb into acting. Along the way, he never let go of his first love: music, where decades of guitar riffs and songwriting still shape his creative rhythm. Today, Quinn is as much a storyteller as he is an actor or musician moving between sitcom humor, action thrillers, and the dramatic intensity of playing President Hunter Franklin in The Oval. Off-screen, he writes, surfs, snowboards, and reflects on the many lives that have carried him here. Gratitude, versatility, and an enduring drive define his story one lived with style, passion, and a refusal to be confined to just one role.
Ed Quinn @edwardquinn CiNava Photography Angel Cintron & Stephen Nava @cinava_photography Styling Simona Sacchitella @simonasacchitella Styling Assistant by Jeremy Clayton Markus @jcmarkus Photography Assistant Chi Lee @chichistudios Production & Creation CCO Andrea Allison @iamandreaallison Videography George Masin @georgemasin Retouching Helga @ Rose Colored Digital @helgavds
Cover Look: Sweater: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers Jeans: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers Sandals: Steve Madden @stevemadden Rings: Gucci @gucci Sara Stellar @stellar.leb Bracelets & Necklace: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen Ring: Gucci. @gucci | Robe: Inc @inc_rtw
Robe: Versace @versace | Robe & Pant: Inc @inc_rtw
Top & Shorts: Zara @zara Necklace: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen Bracelets: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen John Hardy @johnhardyjewelry
Sweater: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers Jeans: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers Sandals: Steve Madden @stevemadden Rings: Gucci @gucci Sara Stellar @stellar.leb Bracelets & Necklace: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen Ring: Gucci. @gucci
Top: Dolce & Gabbana @dolcegabbana Pant: Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray Shoes: Magnanni @magnanni Glasses: Gresso @gresso_official Bag: Serapian @serapianmilano Bracelet: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen | Black Turtle Neck: Atelier Cillian @ateliercillian Jacket: Zara @zara Pants: Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray Bracelets: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen
Top: Dolce & Gabbana @dolcegabbana Pant: Valentino @maisonvalentino Bracelets & Necklace: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen | Black Turtle Neck: Atelier Cillian @ateliercillian Jacket: Zara @zara Pants: Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray Shoes: Steve Madden @stevemadden Bracelets: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen
Tux: RC Caylan Atelier @rccaylanatelier Shirt: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers Shoes: Louis Leeman @louisleemandesign Tie: Musika @musika Bracelets: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen
Jacket: Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray Shirt & Pant: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers Tie: Tom Ford @tomford Shoes: Cesare Paciotti @cesare_paciottii @cesarepaciottibeverlyhills Bracelets & Necklace: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen
Suit & Shirt: H&M @hm_man Bracelets: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen John Hardy @johnhardyjewelry
Tux: RC Caylan Atelier @rccaylanatelier Shirt: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers Shoes: Louis Leeman @louisleemandesign Tie: Musika @musika Bracelets: David Yurman @davidyurmanmen
A conversation with Ed Quinn:
You grew up in the Berkeley Hills, just next to Tilden Regional Park, and even worked as a lifeguard while learning to surf. How did that environment shape your creative spirit and early ambitions?
Absolutely! I truly believe it prepared me for globe-trotting escapades. From Tilden to Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, The City (SF), and West Marin, I felt at home everywhere. It set me up for an amazing life ahead.
At Berkeley, you studied history and aspired to a more conventional career path before modeling whisked you to Paris, Milan, and Barcelona. When did you realize you were more drawn to art than real estate or law?
I suppose it was all about seizing the moment, getting that “go-ahead signal.” Modeling in San Francisco back in the 90s was fun, but heading over to Europe to work was a whole new ball game. I thought I’d just keep hustling until the phone went silent… and here I am, 35 years later. Feeling incredibly lucky.
You booked over 35 commercials across Europe that helped fund your acting classes. What was your mindset stepping from modeling into acting, and how did you find that shift emotionally and creatively?
The transition was a breeze! My initial reaction was: “I’m quite skilled at this.” While modeling wasn’t my forte, commercials were an absolute joyride. Then, I landed my first audition in Los Angeles (FORD PROBE!), which opened the door to the Screen Actors Guild for me. I managed to earn a living in LA while pursuing my acting studies, and even during my band days, I was busy shooting commercials. I thrived on the excitement of those major commercial gigs. Believe it or not, some of those projects had budgets that surpassed certain blockbuster films.
Looking back, how did modeling become the “flashing green light” that propelled your acting journey?
The truth is, I’ve been around the block. First, I worked in San Francisco. Then I made my way to Los Angeles. After that, I took my talents all over Europe—Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Germany—and later back in LA for commercials. It’s one thing to say, “I’m a model” or “I’m an actor,” but those titles don’t hold much weight if no one is calling you for gigs. Once you get your foot in the door, it’s a whole lot easier to dive in and go all in. So when I began auditioning and landing acting roles, it felt like déjà vu. If the industry is knocking on your door, you must be doing something right.
Music seems like it was your first love, studying under Joe Satriani, leading bands like SuperEQ, the Swamp Metal Allstars, Mad Theory, and ScatterGood. Do you still feel that being a guitarist comes more naturally to you than acting?
For quite a while, absolutely yes. Now, it feels pretty similar. My acting skills had to catch up to my guitar skills. I had to invest those “10,000 Hours.” I picked up the guitar at the age of 12. I’ve spent decades playing, rehearsing, performing, and recording. It’s been tougher to log those acting hours. But after 35 years, I’m almost there.
You’ve released solo music, from demo CDs to EPs, and tracks like “Freak Show Cold” offer a lens into Hollywood. What stories or emotions are you exploring now through your music?
I’ve always been captivated by those little moments of melancholy. There’s something about anonymous struggles that intrigues me. I aim to capture a unique perspective that others might overlook and breathe life into it. It’s all about storytelling. This could explain why my music has such a niche appeal. Sure, I could probably achieve greater success by embracing more universal themes, but I prefer to write what resonates with me.
After Eureka, you landed memorable roles in shows like 2 Broke Girls, Mistresses, One Day at a Time, and now play President Hunter Franklin in The Oval. How do you navigate the variety, from sitcom humor to dramatic soap-opera intensity?
I thrive on tackling tough tasks and embracing challenges. Take sitcoms, for instance. My very first audition for a sitcom was a complete train wreck. In class, whenever we had to work on one, I was excruciatingly awful. But then one magical day, everything fell into place. I began landing pilots and shows. Now, sitcoms are my absolute favorite genre. Each time I secure a new role in a different genre, it presents a fresh challenge.
Shadow Force, now in theaters, placed you in thrilling scenes—filming in Colombia, massive gun sequences, even a burning prop incident. What stands out as the most memorable moment from that shoot?
Honestly, I adored the daily commute! We hopped on boats to reach our sets in the Caribbean each day. It was pure magic.
Are you able to tell us about any upcoming films you’re auditioning for or projects that are currently in pre-production?
Shadow Force and GUNS and MOSES are still gracing the big screens. Plus, we’ve got a whopping 33 episodes ready to roll for The Oval. The latter part of Season 6 is set to drop later this year, and Season 7 is gearing up for a debut next year.
We’d love to hear more about the movie you’re writing based on your band days. What inspired it, and how is the script evolving?
This is my heartfelt tribute to the LA music scene of the 1990s and my days in Manhattan Beach when it was still budget-friendly for the youth. A fleeting moment that can never be relived. Before the Internet. Before cell phones. It serves as a fantastic setting for a band that “didn’t make it,” which is pretty much the story of most bands. It’s an absolute blast trying to stitch together all the wild tales into a captivating story. I’m currently on my fourth or fifth draft. Writing is the toughest gig in Hollywood. But I’m determined to get there.
With your degree in history and a fascination for compelling past stories, would you be interested in playing a historical figure, maybe the character from your father’s book about California’s early days?
Absolutely! Both Hell With the Fire Out (you can find the audiobook narrated by yours truly everywhere!) and The Rivalsare currently in the works. Now that’s what I call a dream come true.
You maintain a strong bond with off-screen passions like surfing, snowboarding, and music to stay grounded in Hollywood.
There are wonderful similarities between surfing and pursuing an acting career. Just as you can’t choose when and where to act, you also can’t decide when and where to surf. Numerous factors come into play—storms thousands of miles away, aligned winds, weather conditions, tides. Some surf spots may only break a few times a month, others a few times a year. Being in the right place at the right time requires a lifetime of patience and dedication, much like landing a fantastic acting role. You need to be prepared when someone’s concept transforms into a script, gets developed, purchased, and eventually goes into production.
When writing or acting intensively, do you ever retreat to stressing over a guitar riff or lyric as a reset?
Ha! Absolutely. I always keep a guitar nearby. It’s a fantastic method to warm up my vocal cords before a scene—or to just zone out completely.
You’ve tried your hand at so many things: history, sports, music, modeling, and acting. How do you look back on that cross-disciplinary journey?
Gratitude. I genuinely feel lucky. It’s almost like a dream to have lived so many diverse lives. My appreciation knows no bounds.
If you could step back into your younger self at Cal and give some advice, what would you say?
Every decision I’ve taken in my life has encountered about a 97% likelihood of flopping. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles. The skill to cope with rejection is what fortifies your strength, enriches your character, and nurtures resilience. So don’t dwell on it. It’s easy to feel down when the industry throws you a curveball. Spring back swiftly. Everything will be alright.
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