‘Star Wars Episode 7’ Adds A J.J. Abrams Regular
All filmmakers have their habits, and one ofJ.J. Abrams' isGreg Grunberg. The two have been pals since childhood, and Abrams includes the actor in his projects whenever possible. As of today, we’ve learned that that even includesStar Wars Episode VII. Hit the jump to read Grunberg’sStar Warsannouncement.
Yes @smgulz it IS safe to assume I have a role in#StarWarsEpisodeVII– If I say more than that, JJ will have me killed.
— Greg Grunberg (@greggrunberg)June 09, 2025
Outside of his personal and professional relationship with Abrams, Grunberg is best known for starring as telepathic police officer Matt Parkman inHeroes. He currently has a recurring role as Gene Moretti the Pretzel King on Showtime’sMasters of Sex.
Grunberg isn’t likely to have a big role inStar Wars, but Abrams seems to enjoy including his buddy in a cameo whenever he can. The two have been working together for nearly 40 years at this point. It’s worked out pretty well for both of them, as seen in the timeline below.
A Brief History Leading Up to Greg Grunberg in Star Wars
1976ish: Grunberg gets into acting when hestars in home moviesmade by Abrams.
1991-1992: Grunberg, Abrams, and another Abrams regular, Matt Reeves, collaborate on the short film"Mr. Petrified Forrest.“It is released in 1994 as part of the anthologyFuture Shock.
1996: Reeves directsThe Pallbearer; Abrams produces and Grunberg gets a small role as “an Abernathy cousin.”
1998-2002: Grunberg co-stars as Sean Blumberg on the Abrams-createdFelicity.
2001-2006: Grunberg co-stars as Eric Weiss on the Abrams-createdAlias.
2005: Grunberg stars in Abrams' bounty hunter pilotThe Catch, which fails to get picked up.
2004: Grunberg appears as Oceanic Flight 815 pilot Seth Norris in Abrams’Lostpilot. He’s supposed to come back for the season finale, but his scenes get deleted.
2006: Grunberg plays “Kevin” in Abrams' feature directing debut,Mission: Impossible III.
2006: Grunberg appears in the pilot forWhat About Brian, which Abrams executive produced.
2009: Grunbergis heardas the voice of James T. Kirk’s stepfather in Abrams’Star Trek.
2011: Grunbergappears as a TV actorin the background of Abrams’Super 8.
2013: Grunberg does not appear in Abrams’Star Trek Into Darkness, which Star Trek fans later votethe worst Star Trek film of all time.
2014: Abrams learns his lesson, makes sure to include Grunberg inStar Wars Episode VII.
