Kevin Kline

Kevin Kline
Raph_PH · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Kevin Kline
Caption	Kline in 2011
Birth date	24 October 1947
Birth place	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Alma mater	Indiana University, Juilliard School
Occupation	Actor
Spouse	Phoebe Cates, 1989

Kevin Kline is an American actor renowned for his versatility across stage and screen, celebrated for both his comedic timing and dramatic depth. A highly decorated performer, he is one of the few to have achieved the "Triple Crown of Acting," having won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and an Emmy Award. His career spans celebrated performances in Shakespearean theatre, major Hollywood films, and acclaimed television productions.

Early life and education

He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Catholic family, the son of a record store owner. His early interest in performance was nurtured at Saint Louis Priory School and later at Indiana University Bloomington, where he initially studied music before switching to a focus on theatre. Following his undergraduate studies, he received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Juilliard School as part of the Drama Division's Group 1, studying alongside contemporaries like Patti LuPone and David Ogden Stiers.

Career

His professional stage career began with The Acting Company, a touring repertory theater founded by John Houseman, which led to his Broadway debut. He gained significant recognition for his work with The New York Shakespeare Festival, delivering acclaimed performances in productions like *Henry V* and *The Pirates of Penzance*. His film career launched with a starring role in *Sophie's Choice*, opposite Meryl Streep, and he has since appeared in a wide array of genres, from the comedy classic A Fish Called Wanda to the historical epic *The Last of the Mohicans*. He has also lent his distinctive voice to animated features like *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* and starred in television series such as Bobbie's World.

Personal life

He has been married to actress Phoebe Cates since 1989, and the couple has two children. They reside primarily in New York City and are known for maintaining a relatively private life away from the Hollywood spotlight. An advocate for the arts, he has served on the board of trustees for The Public Theater in New York and has been involved in various charitable endeavors supporting theatre education and cultural institutions.

Filmography

His extensive film work includes leading and supporting roles in a diverse range of projects. Notable titles include the romantic comedy The Big Chill, the Shakespeare adaptation *Hamlet*, the satirical film *Dave*, and the biographical drama *Dean*. Other significant credits encompass In & Out, *Wild Wild West*, Life as a House, The Emperor's Club, De-Lovely, and My Old Ass. His performances often showcase his ability to navigate between farce and poignant drama with equal skill.

Stage work

A stalwart of the American theatre, his stage career is anchored in classical and musical theatre. He won his first Tony Award for his performance in the musical On the Twentieth Century and another for the Shakespearean comedy *The Pirates of Penzance*. Other notable Broadway and off-Broadway credits include leading roles in Hamlet at The Public Theater, Present Laughter, *Cyrano de Bergerac*, and The Seagull. He has frequently collaborated with directors like John Dexter and Nicholas Hytner.

Awards and nominations

His accolades reflect his success across all performance media. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Fish Called Wanda. In theatre, he has received multiple Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards. For television, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for his voice work in the animated series Bobbie's World. He has also been nominated for Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a British Academy Film Award.

Category:American film actors Category:American stage actors Category:Academy Award winners Category:Tony Award winners Category:Emmy Award winners