Walter Kohl Sudduth (born August 8, 1974) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Luther "Suitcase" Simpson in eight Jesse Stone television films.

Biography

Walter Kohl Sudduth was born August 8, 1974 in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, and raised in the small town of Circleville, Ohio. Sudduth acted in several high school plays, including Cheaper by the Dozen and Flowers for Algernon, before attending Ohio University, where he focused his energies on music. During his college years, Sudduth was the guitarist and vocalist of Edison, a punk rock band that playing throughout the American Midwest. He graduated in 1995 with a BA in English.

In 1995, Sudduth moved to New York City to pursue a professional acting career. He appeared regularly at improv comedy clubs and theaters such as the Red Room to hone his comedy skills. Sudduth made his film debut in director John Turturro's Illuminata (1997) playing Christopher Walken's concubine. The following year he appeared in two films, 54 (1998) as Rhett, and Rounders (1998) as Wagner with Edward Norton and Matt Damon.

Sudduth's breakthrough role came in 1999 with Bowfinger (1999) playing Slater, an aspiring actor, opposite Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, and Heather Graham. The role increased Sudduth's appeal and widened his audience with his capable and charming portrayal of a slacker actor. In 2000, Sudduth appeared in two films, the teen comedy Road Trip (2000) as Mark, and the Masterpiece Theater television film Cora Unashamed (2000) as Joe in a drama based on the Langston Hughes short story.

Throughout this period, Sudduth also appeared in several television series, including one episode of All My Children (1997) as Rick the waiter, one episode of Sex and the City (1998) as Kim Cattrall's love interest Jon, one episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Riley Couger, and 17 episodes of Grosse Pointe (2000–2001) as Quentin King and Stone Anders.

Sudduth is best known for his role as Luther "Suitcase" Simpson co-starring opposite Tom Selleck in eight Jesse Stone television films (2005–2012). He currently plays bass in his brother Skipp's rock band Minus Ted. He enjoys rock climbing and playing basketball while dividing his time between New York City and Los Angeles, California.