The White Lotus may possess many big-name stars, but did you know that one actor from all three seasons also played an iconic character from the big screen?
Greg Hunt – or Gary, as he is called in the third season – has been a recurring character in all three seasons of HBO’s satirical black-comedy, with the figure marrying Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya McQuoid before dating Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon).
Though Jon Gries may have embodied the character as he travelled through Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand, the actor also found fame as Uncle Rico in the 2004 coming-of-age cult classic, Napoleon Dynamite.
Some fans of the show were none the wiser, however, with one viewer expressing their shock on X as they wrote: “I was today years old when I found out Greg from The White Lotus is Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite WTH.”
Another fan also noted their surprise as they referenced a famous line from the film, writing: “Oh my God, I had no clue… how much you wanna bet I can’t throw this football over that mountain.”
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“I've been racking my brain trying to figure out where I knew this dude from. Thank you!” added another surprised fan, with a fourth viewer commenting: “I knew I recognised him... just couldn't think where from.”
Gries, who reprised his role as Uncle Rico in the animated remake of the film, recently made a nod to his previous role as he prepared for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with the actor recreating a famous pose via TikTok.
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“Um one of the most underrated character actors ever. He’s been in a ton of stuff,” commented one fan on the video, with another adding: “Omg, this hit me like a ton of bricks!! It is Uncle Rico!!”
Gries was joined on Jimmy Kimmel Live! by his White Lotus co-star Michelle Monaghan, with the actor – who plays Jaclyn Lemon – debunking a popular theory in which fans of the show have suggested that the latest murder was caused by the local wildlife.
The White Lotus airs on Max and Sky Atlantic.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
