It seems that everyone in the world knows the zip code for Beverly Hills, and that’s 90210. This is thanks to the popular TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, which captivated audiences around the world. That’s in part thanks to Jamie Walters, an American actor, and musician, who played a huge role in this show, amongst several others during that time period.
He’s best known for his role as Ray Pruit on Beverly Hills 90210 and has been a mystical and interesting actor and musician to many of us following his career since the 90s.
Early Life
Jamie Walters’ life began in the bustling city of Boston, Massachusetts, on June 13th, 1969. He studied film at NYU after graduating high school.
It didn’t take long for his acting career to begin. He was quickly discovered at a bank by a casting agent. Following that initial discovery, he had a brief stint with Levi’s 501 jeans on three high-profile commercials.
But he was determined to keep on going and pursued more acting opportunities any chance he could get. In the end, it turns out his music is what helped opened the doors to his acting career.
Jamie Walters is a die-hard musician. You can always find him singing or playing guitar, which is how he made his way to fame.
It wasn’t until 1991 that he had his first film debut alongside John Travolta in the movie Shout. This is where it all kicked off.
From there, it spiraled into more acting opportunities, eventually granting him the lead on The Heights, where he sang “How Do You Talk to an Angel?” His acting trajectory skyrocketed, as his single became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 14th, 1992.
Acting Career
As the World Turns
Walter’s acted in several shows before he really made a name for himslef. As the World Turns is an American soap opera, with slow-moving psychological characters that dive into familial relationships. Walters played Bruce in As the World Turns in 1989.
Quantum Leap
In 1989 and 1992, Jamie Walters starred in Quantum Leap as Young Max and then Al ‘Bingo’ Calavicci. This science fiction series aired for five seasons on NBC
The Heights
This is where he made the ladies swoon. His acting career soared and fans fell in love with his chiseled jawline and handsome looks. How could you not? He was the lead singer of this American musical drama that aired in 1992, where he starred as Alex O’Brien, a soft-spoken singer.
The Heights was mainly about a fictional band of young adults. Each episode featured one of the band’s songs. Jamie Walter’s played a huge role in the show by singing “How Do You Talk to an Angel,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1992. The show was canceled a week after the song fell from number one.
Beverly Hills, 90210
Walter’s sideburns, and the single “How Do You Talk to an Angel,” helped him land the role in Beverly Hills, 90210, where he starred in 40 episodes.
In this famous show, Jamie Walters played Ray Pruit, the musician-boyfriend of Donna. In this show, his character is both polite and moody.
Walters is known for the infamous scene in Season 5, where he pushes Donna down a flight of stairs, where skeptics believe this may have negatively affected his career.
Music Career
"How Do You Talk to an Angel?"
Even though Walters is a star actor, he’s also a star musician. After reaching number one on Billboard Hot 100, the song was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics.” It originally aired on The Heights.
Jamie Walters (self-titled album)
Walters created “Jamie Walters,” a self-titled album. His first single on the album is titled “Hold On.” It reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the end, Walters managed to sell over a million copies of the album. The album itself was certified as platinum, a status reached by albums selling over one million copies. To support the album, he toured the USA and Europe.
Ride
“Ride” is the second album released by Jamie Walters, released in 1997. Several tracks include “Reckless,” “Dog on a Chain,” and “Long Way Down.”
Believed (album)
Released in 2002, “Believed” is the third album released by Walters, with his band Elco.
Tracks include “Better Off Dead,” “Marooned,” and “Wonderland.”
Where is Jamie Walters Now?
(photo: Beverly Hills Show Podcast)
Fame and fortune don’t last forever. His acting career slowly dwindled as time went on. In 2009, he appeared in the show Confessions of a Teen Idol with the hopes of sparking his acting and singing career once again.
Although slightly successful, it wasn’t enough to earn him the same title he had during his earlier acting days. Walters continued to follow his other passion, which was firefighting.
In 2002, he became a firefighter/paramedic and is with the firefighters for the long haul. All in all, he’s happy he gets to spend time with his son and three daughters, with the hours he’s now working.
Relationship and Family Life
In 2002, Jamie Walters married Patricia Walters and had three children, Ellie, Caitlin, and Ana. Walters also has a son from a previous relationship. Unfortunately, Jamie’s and Patricia’s marriage did not last, and in 2015, Patricia filed for divorce.
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