David Strathairn

Birth Place: San Francisco, CA, USA

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David Strathairn BIO

Born in San Francisco, California, David Russell Strathairn grew up primarily in Marin County as the second of three siblings. After graduating from Redwood High School in 1966, David attended college on the East Coast at Williams College in Massachusettes (which, at the time, was still an all-men's college.)
While studying there, David became interested in theater, particularly "experimental" theater, drawn to the community of artists and artisans. After being introduced to theater by means of a copy of Pinter's The Dumb Waiter, David took parts in several stage productions at college, including roles in such works as Of Mice and Men and Shakespearean works. After graduation, David set out to Florida and, in the fall of 1970, ended up at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus Clown College in Venice, Florida. Subsequently, he was hired as one half of a Siamese twin sight-gag. He traveled with the circus for that following season. When asked later to "change his face or take a walk", he left the circus.
David moved to Glen Falls, New York, where he joined with friends (one being NYPD Blue actor Gordon Clapp) in starting a children's theater troupe traveling throughout New England, spending several summers at a summer stock playhouse in New Hampshire. It was there that David ran into John Sayles, an acquaintance at Williams College, who was also working with the New Hampshire playhouse. A few years later, Sayles cast David in his first feature film (Return of the Secaucus 7.) The movie, about a reunion of college friends who had protested the Vietnam War in the late 1960s and early 1970s, was also David's very first film role. During the early 1980s, he worked primarily in theatre in New York but also took supporting roles in films such as Mike Nichol's Silkwood (1983) with Meryl Streep, Enormous Changes At the Last Minute (1983) with Kevin Bacon that was written by Sayles, and Lovesick (1983) with Dudley Moore. What started with Return of the Secaucus 7 would continue for (to date) seven more Sayles pictures in the 1980s and 1990s. He was cast in his second Sayles film, The Brother From Another Planet, in 1984, playing a bounty hunter from outer space.
The late 1980s saw David breaking out into bigger ensemble films and larger character parts. He took his first onscreen comedic part in Troma Film's spoof When Nature Calls (1985) and worked alongside Christopher Walken in At Close Range (1986), as well as Ray Liotta in Dominick and Eugene (1988), playing an abusive and drunken father. In 1987, David played the role of Chief Sid Hatfield in yet another John Sayles project, Matewan, a drama about the organization of a labor union in the Appalachia and for which he received his first acting nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards. He followed this film up with Sayles's Eight Men Out in 1988 (a credit also considered to be David's first leading role.) During this time, he also became familiar to television audiences with the role of Moss Goodman on the hit series The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd from 1988-1991. David's character was the heroine's boss (played by Blair Brown), as well as one of her several admirers. He also starred in the CBS mini-series drama Day One (1989), playing opposite Brian Dennehy as the noted Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, leader of the Manhattan project to develop the atomic bomb.
By the 1990s, David had established himself as a great and sought-after "character" actor. In 1991, he worked with Sayles again in City of Hope, in which he played a homeless man named Asteroid. For his work in the film, David won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor. He appeared in a host of other high-profiled films such as A League of Their Own (1992), Sneakers (1992), John Sayles's Passion Fish (1992), The Firm (1993), The River Wild (1994), Losing Isaiah (1995), Dolores Claiborne (1995), Academy Award-winning L.A. Confidential (1997), Simon Birch (1998), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999), and Sayles's Limbo (1999). During this time, he garnered two more Independent Spirit Award nominations for his roles in Passion Fish and Limbo.
In the '90s, David also made his mark in several made-for-television programs. These included HBO's Judgement (1990) as a Catholic priest accused of sexual acts against a minor, Hallmark's O Pioneers! (1992), Arthur Miller's The American Clock (1993) for TNT, Showtime's Beyond the Call (1996) in the leading role of a troubled Vietnam Vet on death row, HBO's In the Gloaming (1997) for which he received an ACE nomination, and Showtime's Evidence of Blood (1998). More recently, David appeared in Disney's remake of The Miracle Worker (2000), A&E's remake of Lathe of Heaven (2002), and Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story (2002). In 2001, he starred on the short-lived ABC crime drama Big Apple as FBI Agent Will Preecher. He also appeared in the Showtime pilot Paradise (2004), headlining an impressive cast as Reverend Bobby Paradise, leader of a global ministry. His most recent television stint was as Edie Falco's love interest, Robert Wegler, on the hit series The Sopranos in 2004.
Throughout the last three decades, David has continued to work steadily and passionately in theater and, to this day, still considers the stage his first love. He has appeared on Broadway in Einstein and the Polar Bear (1981), Three Sisters (1997), Dance of Death (2001) and Salome (2003), as well as an extensive list of Off-Broadway and regional productions that include A Lie of the Mind (1985-1986) and premiere productions of Eyes For Consuela (1998), Ashes to Ashes (1999), and Cherry Docs (2000). More recent critically-acclaimed pieces have included Stranger (2000), The Winter's Tale (2003), and the premiere production of Hannah and Martin (2004). In 2004, David starred as Rodney, a fading movie star, in playwright Richard Nelson's Rodney's Wife at the Classic Stage Company. Most recently, he performed in Beauty On the Vine (2007) for the Epic Theatre Center and will soon be seen in the anticipated Public Theater's production of Richard Nelson's Conversations in Tusculum (2008). In addition, David has and continues to take part in many stage and benefit readings for new plays, charities, and organizations each year.
Audiences may be most familiar with his wonderful roles in mainstream cinema, but David has also lent his talents to a number of small, poignant independent features such as Bad Manners (1997), The Giraffe (1998), A Map of the World (1999), A Good Baby (2000), Relative Evil (2001) and, more recently, Missing In America (2005). In 2002, he gave one of his bravest and most daring performances to date in the gem indie flick Blue Car, playing an English teacher who has an affair with a troubled young student.
Though he has given several unforgettable performances, David's most recent film role as legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow in the George Clooney-directed picture Good Night, And Good Luck (2005) has become the highlight of his career (thus far.) A role that has been hailed by the critics as "the performance of a lifetime", David won the prestigious Coppa Volpi Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival for his role, as well as the Womens Film Critics' Circle Award for Best Actor and the Movies For GrownUps Award for "Breakaway Accomplishment", and garnered several other nominations, including his first Golden Globe and Academy Award nods.
With the success of Good Night, And Good Luck (2005), David continues to work fervently in film, with several projects being released or screened the next few years. In 2006, he continued his indie streak with several noted films including Steel Toes, Heavens Fall and The Sensation of Sight (his first co-producing project). He appeared in the critically-acclaimed short The Shovel, as well as the Warner Bros. We Are Marshall with Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox. David also starred in the world's very first interactive movie, The Onyx Project, a fully browseable movie that uses the patent-pending video story-telling architecture called NAV.
In 2007, David performed in several interesting features including Fracture with Sir Anthony Hopkins, the beautiful independent picture Racing Daylight and Universal Pictures's The Bourne Ultimatum, the highly-grossed third installment in the popular spy series starring Matt Damon. David has several films lined up for 2008, including Wong Kar-wai's English directorial debut My Blueberry Nights, The Spiderwick Chronicles (based on the popular children's fantasy novels by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black), the horror remake of A Tale of Two Sisters, and the already festival-acclaimed documentary Trumbo which celebrates the life and times of Dalton Trumbo. Currently, he has landed leading roles in the forthcoming films Challenger as famous scientist Richard Feynman and Hereafter (about a man who must search for his family admist the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster).
David and wife Logan at the Venice Film Festival (2005)David remains one of the most sought-after American actors. He works steadily in the theater, television and film industries, taking projects that are as complex as they are challenging and versatile. David lives in the upstate New York countryside with his longtime wife, Logan Goodman. They have two sons.

David Strathairn Photos

David Strathairn STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Theatre for a New Audience Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2022
Performer

[Broadway]
2012
Dr. Austin Sloper

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2003
Jokanaan

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2001
Kurt

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 1997
Vershinin

[Broadway]
1981
Bobby Bullins


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David Strathairn News


Meet the Cast of THE OUTSIDERS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The Broadway premiere of The Outsiders, the new musical based on the novel by S.E. Hinton & Francis Ford Coppola’s film, begins previews tonight, Saturday, March 16. Meet the cast of The Outsiders here!

NewYorkRep 10-Year Anniversary Benefit To Celebrate Women Who Have Impacted Theatre, September 18

NewYorkRep celebrates 10 years of producing theatre that inspires social change with a dinner benefit event on September 18 at Harbor Lights Yacht - Skyport Marina (2430 FDR Drive, NYC).

Richard Kind & James Pickens, Jr. to Star in A TAILOR NEAR ME at The New Jersey Repertory Company This Summer

The New Jersey Repertory Company will present the world premiere of Michael Tucker's comedy A Tailor Near Me, directed by James Glossman. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Video: Watch Scenes from Jessica Chastain's 2012 Broadway Debut in THE HEIRESS

Jessica Chastain is making her return to Broadway in A Doll's House, which is now running at the Hudson Theatre. To celebrate, we're flashing back to her Broadway debut in 2012. In this video, check out scenes from The Heiress, which also starred Dan Stevens, Judith Ivey, and David Strathairn.

Sutton Foster, Chita Rivera & More Join GREAT PERFORMANCES 50th Anniversary Concert Special

Hosted by Sutton Foster, the special features performances by André de Shields, Robyn Hurder, Jane Krakowski, Norm Lewis, Donna McKechnie, Betty Buckley, Jessie Mueller, Chita Rivera, Vanessa Williams and many more. The concert celebration is a living testament to why musical theater continues to resonate so powerfully.

Black Theatre Coalition Announces Recipient Of The 2023 American Express Directing Fellowship

Black Theatre Coalition co-founders T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reginald “Reggie” Van Lee, along with Executive Director Olivia Jones, and Program Director Nik Whitcomb, has announced that Lanise Antoine Shelley has been chosen as the recipient of the 2023 American Express Directing Fellowship.

Robert Cuccioli Will Join Jennifer Ehle, Stephanie Berry, and More in Red Bull Theater's PHÈDRE In-Person Reading and Streaming

RED BULL THEATER has announced that Robert Cuccioli (Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde - Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards; Les Miserables; Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; Off-Broadway: The White Devil for Red Bull Theatre; Caesar & Cleopatra, Mrs. Warren's Profession - Gingold Group) has joined the cast for the next offering.

Jennifer Ehle, David Strathairn, Stephanie Berry & More to Star in PHEDRE Reading at Red Bull Theater

RED BULL THEATER has announced the cast for the next offering of a new season of OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings: the in-person and streaming presentation of Phèdre by Jean Racine.

Previews: REMEMBER THIS: THE LESSON OF JAN KARSKI at Teatr Muzyczny Poznan

A monodrama about Jan Karski, a courier, enthusiastically described by reviewers of the Polish Underground State, will be shown in Poznań on February 4.

SEATTLE CRITIC'S CHOICE AWARDS (JAY'S PICKS) 2022

Dear Readers, I don’t need to tell you, it’s been a crazy year. Many theaters just coming back to life or ramping up again post pandemic. But even with all the chaos, Seattle still comes up with some amazing shows from theaters large and small. Here’s a list of my personal picks for outstanding shows and performers from the past year, 2022.

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards; Can Can Culinary Cabaret Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Maria Teresa Creasey's DEGENERATE to be Presented at London's Vault Festival Winter 2023

Maria Teresa Creasey's Degenerate is coming to Vault Festival Tuesday 24 January at 6.25pm, Wednesday 15 February at 6.25pm, and Sunday 19 February 2023 at 7.20pm. Degenerate is an experimental coming of age comedy from someone who has already come of age.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards; at Edmonds Driftwood Plyers Leads Best Ensemble Performance!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Berkeley Rep Announces REMEMBER THIS Post-Show Discussion Lineup

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced the lineup of guests who will participate in moderated discussions following each performance of The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics production of Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski.

Kathleen Chalfant, David Strathairn, Melissa Etheridge & More Nominated for 2022 United Solo Special Award

United Solo has announced the nominees for their thirteenth annual Special Award, presented each year to an outstanding solo performance that takes place outside of the festival.

GREAT PERFORMANCES Celebrates 50th Anniversary Season With Josh Groban Concert, RICHARD III & More

The season features the premiere of Great Performances: Intimate Apparel, which is available to stream now, and the premiere of Great Performances: Richard III from The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park; Josh Groban’s Great Big Radio City Show with Cyndi Lauper, Deneé Benton, and Tiler Peck; and more.

TFANA Extends REMEMBER THIS: THE LESSON OF JAN KARSKI Starring David Strathairn

Theatre for a New Audience has announced the one-week extension of Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, directed by Goldman, and starring David Strathairn (Nightmare Alley; Nomadland; Good Night, and Good Luck).

Review Roundup: REMEMBER THIS: THE LESSON JAN KARSKI at Theatre for a New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience is presenting Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, directed by Goldman, and starring David Strathairn (Nightmare Alley; Nomadland; Good Night, and Good Luck), now October 9, 2022. Read the reviews here!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre Announces Two Limited-Engagement Special Events

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced two upcoming limited-engagement special events—Emmy Award-winning comedian Jerrod Carmichael's latest show, Ari told me I lack focus; and The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics production of Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, directed by Derek Goldman, and featuring Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee David Strathairn.

JIMMY AND CAROLYN Sets August 29 South County Film Premiere Date 

”Jimmy and Carolyn”, James Andrew Walsh's new comedy starring two-time Tony nominee and TV/Broadway star Mary Beth Peil (Dawson's Creek, The Good Wife,  HALSTON, Broadway's Anastasia) and TV/Broadway star Gregory Harrison (911,  Chesapeake Shores, Trapper John M.D.), shot entirely on location in Westerly, Rhode  Island, sets its South County Premiere at Bill Hanney's newly renovated All South Coun ty Luxury Cinemas, co-owned with Harold Blank and William Doherty, in Wakefield on  Monday, August 29, 2022.

David Strathairn FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has David Strathairn been in?

David Strathairn has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has David Strathairn been in?

David Strathairn has not appeared in the West End.

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