Eric Nies

Eric Nies
Nies in October 2008
Born	(1971-05-23) May 23, 1971 (age 45) Ocean Township, New Jersey

Eric Nies (born May 23, 1971) is an American former model and reality television personality. He first gained fame as a cast member on MTV's The Real World: New York, before going on to appear on that show's spinoffs and other reality shows, such as The Grind and Confessions of a Teen Idol.

Nies is the son of former NBA official Jack Nies and Anna May, a pre-school teacher, and grew up in Ocean Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He and his older brother John Nies posed nude in Bear Pond (Little, Brown and Company, 1990), an "infamous book" of photography by Bruce Weber. Their cousin, Kenneth John Nies (who "usually goes by KJ") is also a model and fitness professional.

Nies is married and has a son.

Nies first gained fame as a cast member on the first season of MTV's reality television program, The Real World. Nies was working as a model during the show's filming, and was sometimes shown on photo shoots. He was known for his impressive physique, often appearing shirtless in episodes of the show. After his exposure on The Real World, he went on to host the MTV series The Grind, which featured a studio audience dancing to popular dance tracks. He has also hosted and participated in a number of MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenges.

Nies also appeared on a number of dance workout videos and fitness product promotions. As each workout video progressed, while the other participants remained fully clothed, Nies invariably removed layers of clothing until bare chested. He also promoted the videos on daytime television shows such as The View and Donny and Marie, similarly attired. He also regularly presented The Grind dance show with no shirt, prompting on one occasion guest Queen Latifah to ask him: "How much do they pay you to show your nipples?"