Simon Rex

Simon Rex Cutright (born July 20, 1974), is an American actor and rapper. Rising to fame as an MTV VJ, Rex later became an actor known for What I Like About You, starring in three films of the Scary Movie franchise, and National Lampoon's Pledge This!. He later developed a rap persona, Dirt Nasty, and had several solo albums and co-founded the hip-hop group Three Loco. In 2021, he received critical acclaim for his lead role in Sean Baker's drama film Red Rocket, winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.

Early life Simon Rex Cutright was born on July 20, 1974, in San Francisco, California, and raised in Alameda, the son of Zoe, an environmental consultant, and Paul, a relationship coach. His mother is Jewish and he has identified as Jewish.

Rex was an only child who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Rex's father was a breath-work coach (in the tradition of alternative psychologist Stanislav Grof) who left the family when Rex was little. At age 18, he was attending community college and working at a potato-sack factory when he began dating and living with a model in Oakland.

Career Early work in porn and on MTV (1993–1998) In 1993, aged 19, Rex responded to an advertisement in a Los Angeles magazine and agreed to be photographed nude for photographer Brad Posey and his Club 1821 studio. The following year, under the alias "Sebastian", he appeared in solo masturbation scenes for three gay Club 1821 pornographic films: Young, Hard & Solo #2, Young, Hard & Solo #3, and Hot Sessions III. Archive footage of Rex was also used in the 2000 films Hot Sessions 11 and Hot Sessions 12.

A casting director spotted him and the next day he flew to Milan to work as a model.

Television and film (1999–2017) In 1999, he was cast in the comedy-drama television series Jack & Jill, which aired on The WB channel for two seasons. He appeared as Eli in the TV show Felicity and television guest appearances followed including Baywatch, Everwood, and Summerland.

Starting in 2002, Rex starred with Amanda Bynes in the sitcom What I Like About You. In 2006, he appeared on the Lifetime primetime telenovela Monarch Cove, which ran for fourteen episodes. From television into film, Rex has held the lead role in feature films including Scary Movie 3, 4, & 5, Hotel California, The Karate Dog, King of the Avenue, and Superhero Movie. Rex more recently starred alongside comedian Nick Swardson in the Comedy Central show, Typical Rick, which ran for two seasons from 2016 to 2017.

Music (2005–2020) Rex entered the music industry in 2005 as a rap artist after becoming friends with and discovering Mickey Avalon. Rex adopted his alter ego Dirt Nasty and formed the rap group Dyslexic Speedreaders with Avalon & Andre Legacy. Rex both produced and was featured on the group's hit song "My Dick". Again the group paired with Lil Jon to create the song "What Do You Say" which was featured in 2009's blockbuster comedy film, The Hangover.

Rex was an investor in the New York City nightclub The Plumm with partners Noel Ashman, Samantha Ronson, Chris Noth, and others. It opened in 2006 and closed in 2009.

In 2007, Dirt Nasty released his self-titled debut album, which included the songs 1980, Cracker Ass Fantastic, and Droppin' Names. His second album, 2011's Nasty as I Wanna Be, featured Kesha, LMFAO, Too Short, and Warren G. Rex's other musical projects under his Dirt Nasty alias include his third album Palatial, and the supergroup Three Loco which features Andy Milonakis and Riff Raff. As Three Loco, the group teamed up with producer Diplo and released the group's eight-song EP on Diplo's Mad Decent label. Dirt Nasty appeared in Season 1, episode 5 of Paris Hilton's My New BFF where the girls had to play "Seven Minutes in Heaven" with him.

Film resurgence (2021–present) In 2020, Rex, stuck in a floundering music endeavor with film opportunities having dried up, received a call from director Sean Baker asking him to send in a video audition for the film Red Rocket, after which he was quickly offered the lead role. The film premiered in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and the film – and particularly Rex's performance – received overwhelmingly positive reviews. The film was considered a serious acting career breakthrough for Rex and his comeback in the industry. Other film appearances include Greedy People, Blink Twice, and Everything's Going to Be Great. He was cast in a supporting role in The Leader, a biopic about the Heaven's Gate cult led by Marshall Applewhite.

Rex appeared in the April 2, 2022, episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Jerrod Carmichael with musical guest Gunna, in the music video "Short-Ass Movies", where in addition to appearing as himself, his face is used for Ernest P. Worrell.

Other activities In late 2023, Rex co-founded a re-launched men's skincare brand out of Colorado known as MOX. As the face of the brand, he regularly promotes MOX products on his social media and during interviews.

Personal life In his late 40s, Rex reconnected with his father. They shared a "psychedelic experience" during which Rex learned his grandfather was a "spiritual leader" who was "not always the most faithful member of his flock."

Tabloids speculated that he had dated Paris Hilton, but he insisted they were just "friends that held hands." Dark Jokester 2021 Red Rocket Mikey Saber

Mack & Rita Luca My Dead Dad Gavin

Down Low Buck/Fleshpuppet Americana Roy Lee Dean The Sweet East Lawrence

Blink Twice Cody Greedy People Keith Operation Taco Gary's Danny

Magic Farm Dave Tow Cliff Everything's Going to Be Great Kyle Easy's Waltz Sam 2026 The Leader David

Post-production Wes Gulager Post-production Marco Cass Filming

Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Baywatch Himself Episode: "Beachblast" 1999 Felicity Eli 4 episodes Katie Joplin Tiger French Main role; 5 episodes 1999–2001 Jack & Jill Michael "Mikey" Russo Main role; 32 episodes 2002–2003 What I Like About You Jeff Campbell Main role (season 1); 21 episodes 2004 Det. Peter Fowler Television film 2004–2005 Summerland Sun 2 episodes 2005 Cuts Harrison 2 episodes Everwood Cliff Fenton Episode: "So Long, Farewell..." 2006 Monarch Cove Eddie Lucas Main role; 14 episodes 2010 Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Brian Episode: "I Just Got Voodoo'd" 2014 Happyland Tony Episode: "Park Maintenance" 2015 Perception Roy Meier Episode: "Meat" NCIS Scott Bleeker Episode: "Status Update" 2016–2017 Typical Rick Rick 12 episodes 2020 The Real Bros of Simi Valley DJ Womp Womp Episode: "Lights Out Gringos" 2022 Saturday Night Live Himself/Dirt Nasty Episode: "Jerrod Carmichael/Gunna" 2023 Bupkis Ben/Crispy Episode: "Crispytown" 2024 It's Florida, Man Eric Merda Episode: "Gator" 2025 Mo Guy 3 episodes Poker Face 'Rocket' Russ Waddell Episode: "Hometown Hero"

Music videos Year Title Artist Role 2004 "She Wants to Move" N.E.R.D Hot guy 2009 "Tik Tok" Kesha Barry 2010 "Yes" LMFAO Dirt Nasty 2011 "Sexy and I Know It" LMFAO Guy on bicycle 2012 "Bird on a Wire" Action Bronson featuring Riff Raff Dirt Nasty 2016 "World Wide Lamper" Kool Keith featuring B.a.R.S. Murre & Dirt Nasty Dirt Nasty 2020 "Burning Man" Jonah and Jeff Wittek Dirt Nasty 2024 "Lucky" Halsey Love interest 2024 "BBA" Paris Hilton featuring Megan Thee Stallion Party guest

Discography Studio albums Catching Up to Wilt (with Mickey Avalon, Andre Legacy, and Beardo) (2004) Dirt Nasty (2007) Shoot to Kill (with Mickey Avalon, Andre Legacy, and Beardo) (2008) The White Album (with DJ Stretch Armstrong) (2010) Nasty as I Wanna Be (2010) Palatial (2013) The White Boys (with Andre Legacy and Beardo) (2014) Breakfast in Bed Dirt Nasty Sux (2016)

Mixtapes The White Album (2010) Shoot to Kill Mixtape (with Mickey Avalon, Andre Legacy, & BEARDO) (2008)

Extended plays Extended Package (with Jack Splash as Chain Swangaz) (2011) ¡Three Loco! (with Andy Milonakis and Riff Raff) (2012)

Guest appearances Mickey Avalon – "My Dick" from Mickey Avalon (2005) Mickey Avalon – "What Do You Say" from Mickey Avalon (2006) Luckyiam – "Nevermind" from Most Likely to Succeed (2007) Verb – "1980 Gutter" from The East Side Extraterrestrial EP (2009) Mac Lethal – "My Cadillac" from Postcards from Kansas EP Kool Keith – "World Wide Lamper" from Feature Magnetic (2016) Pete Davidson – "Short Ass Movie" on SNL (2022)

Productions The Grouch & Eligh – "Can't Catch Me" from No More Greener Grasses (2003) Luckyiam – "Rap, Rap, Rap" from Most Likely to Succeed (2007)

Awards and nominations