The great character actor Richard Edson's first feature film role came in Jim Jarmusch's 1983 cult hit "Stranger Than Paradise", 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' "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986), Oliver Stone's great Vietnam-movie "Platoon" (1986), Barry Levinson's "Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987) and in 1989, Edson starred in Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing". In 1993 he played 'Spike', one of the evil King Koopa's henchmen in "Super Mario Bros.", and in 1995 he had a part in the engaging Sci-Fi Thriller "Strange Days". 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. 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 "Paradise".

Edson currently lives in Los Angeles where in addition to acting he is very active in music, writing and photography.