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John Cusack Biography

Birth Name:John Paul Cusack

Birth Place:Evanston, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Received the Commitment to Chicago Award in 2000 at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
  • Attended the Piven Theatre school when he was younger
  • Put on plays in the living room of his childhood home
  • Quote: "I like to take risks․ With acting, you wanna see if you can get into trouble without knowing how you're gonna get out of it․ It's like the exact opposite of war, where you need an exit strategy․"
  • Quote: "I'm not into the celebrity culture aspect of being an artist․ To me it represents extinction․ The more people know about you, the less they want to try to figure out what you have to say in your movies and the less credibility you have․"
  • Often portrays characters who express quirky or weird traits
  • Was offered a title role in "Apollo 13," but ultimately turned it down
  • Trained in kickboxing under kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez
  • Was a former roommate of fellow actor Jeremy Piven
  • Was originally chosen to portray the character John Bender in "The Breakfast Club․"

Awards

  • 1990CFCA Award-Most Promising Actor: winner
  • 1994ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1998Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Action/Adventure: winner
  • 1998Chlotrudis Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Film Award-Best Comedy/Musical Actor: nominated
  • 1999ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1999Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble: winner
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2000Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Hissy Fit: nominated
  • 2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 2001BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: nominated
  • 2001Empire Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2001ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2001USC Scripter Award-: nominated
  • 2001WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: nominated
  • 2007Fright Meter Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2007Scream Award-Scream King: nominated
  • 2008Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2010Felix-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi: nominated
  • 2012Fright Meter Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015Canadian Screen Award-Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2018Felix-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
  • 2020Grand Jury Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2024Golden Lotus Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated