In the landscape of long-running police dramas, the familiar faces that anchor the narratives often receive the most fervent attention. Yet, sometimes, the true genius lies in the supporting players—those indispensable actors who bring depth, gravitas, and crucial humanity to the powerful leads. Gregory Jbara is one such performer, a beloved, versatile talent whose contributions span the worlds of Broadway, film, and television, culminating in a defining, long-term role on the CBS hit drama, Blue Bloods.
His career is a powerful testament to the value of range and the ability to find nuance in every role, establishing an impressive legacy that continues to impact the entertainment world.
A Broadway Beginning: The Tony-Winning Turn
Before Gregory Jbara became a fixture on Friday night television, he was a giant of the American stage. A graduate of both the University of Michigan and The Juilliard School, Jbara dedicated the early decades of his career to the theater, mastering the craft that would later make his television performances so rich.
His career on the Great White Way includes roles in major revivals and original productions, showcasing his impressive voice and dramatic abilities. He starred in productions like Damn Yankees, the revival of Chicago (playing the manipulative Billy Flynn), and the acclaimed musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
The capstone of his theatrical career came in 2009 when he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for originating the role of Jackie Elliot, Billy’s working-class father, in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical. His moving, powerful portrayal of a tough miner struggling to understand and support his son’s passion for ballet was a tour-de-force that earned him theater’s highest honor, along with a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award. This significant achievement underscored his ability to seamlessly blend song, drama, and heartfelt emotion, providing the foundation for the complex characters he would later bring to the small screen.
From Sitcom Dad to Hollywood Film
Jbara’s transition to television proved his comedic timing was just as sharp as his dramatic chops. He became widely known to prime-time audiences as Dan O’Keefe on the popular Fox/WB sitcom Grounded for Life (2001-2005). As the endearing, perpetually exasperated family man, Jbara anchored the comedy with a warm, grounded performance, demonstrating a talent for making the everyman heroic and hilarious.
His television resume is dotted with memorable guest spots in iconic series like Friends and The West Wing, proving his adaptability across genres. On the big screen, he secured notable supporting roles in films such as the wedding comedy In & Out (1997), playing the sympathetic brother of the lead, and a cameo in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic, Oppenheimer (2023).
This varied body of work established Jbara as a trusted character actor—one capable of both drawing deep pathos and landing a perfect joke, an essential quality for the complex demands of television drama.
The DCPI: Gregory Jbara’s Enduring Blue Bloods Role
In 2010, Gregory Jbara began a role that would define his television career for over a decade: Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI) Garrett Moore on Blue Bloods.
Garrett Moore is a crucial, high-stakes character. As the chief spokesman and press liaison for the NYPD Commissioner, Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck), Garrett often serves as the buffer between the fiercely independent police force and the politically charged outside world. He’s the voice of the department, tasked with managing crises, crafting public statements, and navigating the treacherous waters of media relations and public opinion.
The brilliance of Jbara’s portrayal lies in his ability to make this administrative role deeply compelling. He is not a street cop, but a political operative who must constantly wrestle with his own conscience and his loyalty to the Commissioner. The character of Garrett Moore often provides the essential ethical counterbalance to Frank Reagan’s moral authority.
- The Trusted Confidant: Garrett is one of the few people Frank Reagan truly trusts, and their scenes are often intimate, tense discussions about the greater good versus political expediency. Jbara’s quiet intensity and measured delivery make these private moments—usually held in Frank’s office—some of the show’s most gripping scenes.
- The Human Element: Jbara gives Garrett Moore a dry wit and palpable stress, showing the human toll of dealing with non-stop crises. He makes the bureaucratic challenge of running a police department relatable and dramatic, earning the character the respect of both the audience and the formidable Reagan clan.
The chemistry between Jbara and Tom Selleck is a cornerstone of the show’s success. Their professional dynamic, built on mutual respect and intellectual sparring, provides an essential contrast to the Reagan family’s blood ties. Garrett is, in many ways, an honorary member of the Reagan family, trusted implicitly with their patriarch’s professional well-being.
A Career Defined by Depth and Dedication
Gregory Jbara’s celebrated career demonstrates the power of a committed, classically trained actor. His ability to move effortlessly between the dramatic demands of a Tony-winning stage role, the light touch of a sitcom, and the controlled complexity of a long-running procedural drama is rare.
In his role as DCPI Garrett Moore, Jbara created a character who is more than just a supporting player; he is a vital pillar of the Blue Bloods universe, embodying the constant tension between public perception and the reality of policing. His enduring presence is a profound contribution to the show’s success and a reminder of the depth and talent that can be found in the most essential supporting roles on television. The industry and fans alike look forward to many more years of his compelling work, both on and off the screen.
