This versatile character actor has worked consistently for three decades but few knew his name until he landed on
Lost in 2004 as a mysterious castaway, a role that earned him a 2005 Emmy nod. In the '80s, O'Quinn appeared on stage, television and in films, usually as a supporting player. His villainous turn as the title character in the horror flick
The Stepfather proved that he had a lead's charisma. He was even busier in the '90s and '00s with numerous TV-movies and guest spots, as well as recurring roles on
JAG,
The West Wing and
Alias, whose creator J.J. Abrams remembered O'Quinn when casting his next series,
Lost. Off-screen, O'Quinn leads a quiet life with his horse-trainer wife and their children.
Terry O'Quinn Fast Facts:
- Decided he wanted to be an actor at age 15 after seeing Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet.
- Has been bald since his early twenties.
- Appeared on Broadway in the 1982 Faye Dunaway flop The Curse of the Aching Heart and the 1982-83 Hume Cronyn-Jessica Tandy play Foxfire.
- Real name is Terrance Quinn; added the "O'" to distinguish himself from another actor named Terry Quinn.
- Has a black belt in karate.
- Terry O'Quinn Relationships:
- Hunter O'Quinn - Son
- Lori O'Quinn - Wife
- Oliver O'Quinn - Son
- Terry O'Quinn Awards:
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
- College:
- Attended University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; attended Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI
