Peabody Actor Takes On Arresting Role In 'Hunting Whitey'

PEABODY, MA — Arthur Hiou has spent a career in acting sharing the screen and credit scroll with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

On Tuesday night, the Peabody actor and owner of A&L Liquors on Foster Street, will have the chance to share a historic stage with renowned actor Neal McDonough as he arrests one of the nation's most notorious criminals in "Hunting Whitey" at Boston's Wilbur Theater.

Hiou plays Special Agent Scott Gariolla, the FBI fugitive hunter who took the late Boston crime boss into custody in Santa Monica, California in 2011, across from Barnstable actor McDonough ("Yellowstone," "Justified"), who plays crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger.

"I remember Whitey Bulger and what he meant in South Boston in the 70s and 80s," the 57-year-0ld Hiou told Patch. "It's quite something playing someone not from the area who is arresting someone from the area when I am from the area."

The sold-out show is written by Casey Sherman and David Wedge, who co-authored "Patriots Day" about the Boston Marathon bombings, which was adapted into the movie starring Mark Wahlberg, and includes renowned comedian and actor Steve Sweeney.

Hiou said he has been working with McDonough in online rehearsals and is looking forward to performing the one-night-only show on Thursday.

"The thrill that I get on stage is different," he said. "In front of a crowd, there is no turning back. You have to feel it. The audience is hanging on every word that you say. It's really good and it's a beautiful theater to work in."

While North Shore residents may recognize the Peabody Veterans alumnus from A&L Liquors and from seeing him around the city, they can be forgiven for doing a double take in recognizing him for roles in dozens of movies and commercials.

Those keen-eyed while watching Ben Affleck's latest Dunkin' commercial may recognize Hiou as the man in the scally cap behind a frustrated Affleck as restaurant workers sing the praises of Matt Damon.

"I beat out a lot of people for that role," he said. "He hand-picked everyone for that commercial himself and directed it. I was very thrilled to be working with him."

Hiou has also been in the Netflix film "I Care A Lot" with Peter Dinklage, in "The Vault" with Don Johnson and Chazz Palminteri, and had a role in "Boston Strangler" with Kiera Knightley that he is hoping will make a director's cut of the film.

"It's a lot of work," said Hiou, who spends time traveling to New York City and Los Angeles for roles. "But if you really love doing it, it's not work."

Hiou began acting at Suffolk University when he appeared in an episode of the Boston-set "Spenser For Hire" when he was a student. He studied communications in college and has been working on his craft to varying degrees ever since.

"It's been great," he said. "I really enjoy acting. I am very committed and everything I set out to do, I've done.

"I've accomplished a lot of things as an actor in the last 15 years. I have been able to be opposite some really big Boston actors."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)