You know that feeling when you're watching a show and a guy walks on screen, and you immediately think, "I know him from somewhere"? That’s basically the career of Greg Finley in a nutshell. He has this specific, rugged presence that makes him the perfect fit for everything from teen dramas to gritty superhero brawls.
Most people probably remember him first as Jack Pappas. You know, the high school quarterback with the complicated moral compass on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. But if you’ve been paying attention lately, you’ve seen him as a meta-human on The Flash or a literal zombie lover on iZombie.
Honestly, he’s one of those actors who just works. All the time. He doesn't need the massive tabloid headlines to stay relevant; he just shows up, does the work, and makes every scene better.
The Breakout: Jack Pappas and the ABC Family Era
Before he was fighting speedsters, Greg Finley was the heart of ABC Family. Well, Freeform now, but you get the point.
Playing Jack Pappas for five seasons was a massive undertaking. Jack wasn't just a "jock" stereotype. He went through the ringer—faith struggles, intense relationships, and that whole "good guy trying to do the right thing" vibe that made him a fan favorite. For a lot of us, The Secret Life of the American Teenager was our first introduction to his range. He had this way of making Jack feel real, even when the plotlines got a little... soap opera-ish.
He spent 120 episodes in that role. That's a huge chunk of time to develop a character. It's probably why he feels so natural on screen now; he basically grew up in front of the camera.
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Transitioning to the CW Multiverse
Once Secret Life wrapped in 2013, Finley didn’t slow down. He hopped over to The CW, which, let’s be real, is like the home base for actors with his kind of look and talent.
Star-Crossed and the Alien Rebel
In 2014, he landed the role of Drake in Star-Crossed. If you missed this one, it was basically Romeo and Juliet but with aliens. Drake was a member of the Atrian Seven, and Finley got to lean into a more "rebel" persona. Even though the show only lasted one season, it proved he could handle sci-fi and more action-heavy roles.
Getting Heavy as Girder on The Flash
Then came Tony Woodward. Most fans know him better as Girder.
This was a fun turn because he played a childhood bully to Barry Allen. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a guy who played a "golden boy" like Jack Pappas turn into a "grinning lunkhead who loves destruction." He appeared in several episodes across the first couple of seasons, even coming back as a "zombie" version of himself. Which, looking back, was a weirdly perfect foreshadowing for his next big gig.
Why Everyone Loves Drake Holloway on iZombie
If you haven't watched iZombie, you're missing out on some of Finley's best work. He played Drake Holloway, a zombie who was secretly an undercover cop.
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Talk about a complicated role. He had to balance being a tough guy in a gang, a romantic interest for Liv Moore, and a guy trying to take down the bad guys from the inside. His chemistry with Rose McIver was off the charts. When (spoiler alert) things didn't end well for Drake, the fan reaction was intense. People genuinely cared about the guy.
That's the Finley magic. He makes you root for characters that might otherwise feel like background noise.
Expanding the Filmography: More Than Just TV
While he’s definitely a TV heavyweight, the list of Greg Finley movies and TV shows includes some solid film work too.
- Hypothermia (2012): He starred alongside horror legend Michael Rooker. It’s a chilly, slow-burn creature feature.
- Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story (2020): He took the lead here as Jackie Ryan, a legendary streetballer. It’s a gritty, New York sports movie that let him show off his real-life athletic roots.
- Downeast (2021): A crime thriller set in Maine. Since he’s actually from Portland, Maine, this felt like a bit of a homecoming project.
- The Estate (2020): A dark comedy/thriller where he plays Joe. It’s got a lot of twists and shows he’s got timing for more than just drama.
Fact Check: Not That Greg Finley
Wait. We have to address something. If you Google "Greg Finley," you might see news about a legendary voice actor who passed away in early 2024.
That was a different Greg Finley.
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The Greg Finley we’re talking about—the one from The Flash and iZombie—is very much alive and still working. The older Greg Finley was a giant in the world of Robotech and voice-over work. It’s a common mix-up because they share the same name and both had impressive careers in Hollywood, but they are two different people.
Our Greg (born in 1984) is still out there. In fact, he’s recently popped up in shows like NCIS: Hawaiʻi and has been involved in projects like Inside Man (2023).
What Makes His Career Work?
Finley has a "blue-collar" approach to acting. He’s not out there chasing the most experimental, bizarre indie roles just for the sake of it. He picks projects that people actually watch.
Whether it's a guest spot on Law & Order: SVU or a recurring role in the Chicago franchise (he’s appeared in Chicago P.D. and more recently Chicago Fire), he’s a utility player. He can be the villain, the love interest, or the guy you want in a foxhole with you.
He actually grew up wanting to play basketball. A serious throat abscess and surgery changed those plans when he was younger, leading him to pursue acting instead. You can kind of see that "athlete" discipline in his roles. He’s physically imposing but has this vulnerability that keeps him from being "just a big guy."
If you want to dive deeper into his work, start with the classics. Rewatch the first season of The Flash to see him as Girder, or find his arc in iZombie Season 2. If you're into sports dramas, Blackjack: The Jackie Ryan Story is definitely worth a rental. It’s probably the best showcase of him carrying a film as the lead.
Keep an eye out for him in the Chicago universe moving forward. He has a habit of showing up in the biggest procedurals on TV, and he doesn't look like he's slowing down anytime soon.