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Kevin Spacey Biography

Birth Name:
Kevin Spacey Fowler
Birth Place:
South Orange, New Jersey, United States
Profession
Actor, producer, director, screenwriter

Fast Facts

  • While still in high school, performed stand-up
  • High-school classmates included Mare Winningham (with whom he shared valedictorian honours) and Val Kilmer
  • At the start of his acting career, switched last name from Fowler to his mum's maiden name of Spacey
  • Left Juilliard to join the New York Shakespeare Festival
  • Made his Broadway debut in the 1982 production of Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts, starring Liv Ullmann
  • Is a superb mimic, whose spot-on impressions include Jack Lemmon (with whom he worked with on stage and in films and greatly admired) and Al Pacino
  • Became the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre Company in London in 2003
  • In addition to portraying Bobby Darin in the 2004 musical biopic Beyond the Sea, he cowrote and directed the film plus recorded all his vocals for the songs
  • Met with Jack Abramoff in federal prison before depicting the former lobbyist in 2010's Casino Jack
  • Awarded an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in her 2015 Birthday Honours

Awards

  • 2017Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Producers Guild Awards-Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: nominated
  • 2016Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016Producers Guild Awards-Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: nominated
  • 2015BAFTA Television Awards-Best International: nominated
  • 2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2015Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: winner
  • 2015Producers Guild Awards-Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: nominated
  • 2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2014Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014BAFTA Television Awards-Best International: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2013Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2013Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2012Independent Spirit Awards-Robert Altman Award: winner
  • 2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2008Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
  • 2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2008Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2002BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2000BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1999Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Actor: winner
  • 1999Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1999Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1999Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Actor: winner
  • 1999Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1998BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1996Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1996Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1996Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1996Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1996Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 1996Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1995Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1995New York Film Critics Circle-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1995National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actor (Runner-up): winner
  • 1995National Board of Review-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1995Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1995Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated

Relationships

  • Randall Fowler -- Brother
  • Thomas Fowler -- Father
  • Kathleen Fowler -- Mother
  • Julie Ann Keir -- Sister