David Strathairn Biography

Character actor David Strathairn had his first high-profile leading role with George Clooney‘s Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) and it earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor. Strathairn has been in the movies and occasionally on television since his debut in John Sayles’s The Return of the Secaucus 7 (1980). Over the years he’s worked steadily, often playing intelligent characters in independently produced films as well as big-budget Hollywood hits. His many films with Sayles include The Brother From Another Planet (1984), Eight Men Out (1988, with John Cusack) and Passion Fish (1992). His portrayal of journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck won Strathairn critical raves and his first Oscar nomination. He then returned to business as usual: character roles in big movies like We Are Marshall (2006, starring Matthew McConaughy and Fracture (2007, with Ryan Gosling), and meatier roles in independent films, including The Notorious Bettie Page (2005, starring Gretchen Mol) and The Sensation of Sight (2006). His other movie credits include: A League of Their Own (1992, starring Geena Davis), Sneakers (1992, starring Robert Redford), The River Wild (1994, with Meryl Streep) and L.A. Confidential (1997, starring Russell Crowe). He won a 2010 Emmy as best supporting actor for his role as an inspirational science teacher in the HBO movie Temple Grandin.