William Baldwin | |
|---|---|
 Baldwin at the2008 GLAAD Awards | |
| Born | William Baldwin (1963-02-21)February 21, 1963 (age 62) Massapequa, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Billy Baldwin |
| Alma mater | Binghamton University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | John Phillips (father-in-law),Michelle Phillips (mother-in-law) |
| Family | Baldwin |
William Baldwin (born February 21, 1963)[1] is an American actor and the second-youngest of the fourBaldwin brothers. He has starred in the filmsFlatliners (1990),Backdraft (1991),Sliver (1993),Virus (1999),The Squid and the Whale (2005),Forgetting Sarah Marshall, in which he portrayed himself, and theNetflix showNorthern Rescue (2019). Baldwin is married to singerChynna Phillips.
Baldwin was born inMassapequa, New York,[1] the son of Carol Newcomb (née Martineau; December 15, 1929 – May 26, 2022), founder of The Baldwin Fund and Alexander Rae Baldwin Jr (October 26, 1927 – April 15, 1983). His father was a high school history/social studies teacher and football coach.[2] He is the brother of actorsAlec,Daniel, andStephen, sometimes collectively known as the Baldwin brothers, and of sisters Beth and Jane, all together known as the Baldwin family. Baldwin was raised in aCatholic family, and hasIrish andFrench ancestry.[3][4] A graduate ofAlfred G. Berner High School (in which one of his schoolmates wasRex Heuermann) andBinghamton University, where he was a varsitywrestler.[5] He has a degree inpolitical science.[6]
Before starting his acting career, Baldwin was a fashion model for Calvin Klein. His first starring role was in a TV movie asRobert Chambers, alongsideDanny Aiello andLara Flynn Boyle inThe Preppie Murder, which aired onABC in 1989. Baldwin also appeared in the 1989 filmBorn on the Fourth of July, starringTom Cruise, where he had a minor role as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War. His brothers Daniel and Stephen also had minor parts in the film.[7]
Baldwin's first featured film wasInternal Affairs, in which he starred alongsideRichard Gere andAndy García. He then starred in big-budget films such asFlatliners with stars such asJulia Roberts,Kiefer Sutherland andKevin Bacon. He portrayed Chicagofirefighter Brian McCaffrey inBackdraft withKurt Russell and also with an ensemble cast includingDonald Sutherland,Scott Glenn,Rebecca De Mornay, andRobert De Niro. His role in 1993 filmSliver along withSharon Stone earned him theMTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Male.
In 1995, among other diverse characters he has played in his career, Baldwin was onJoel Schumacher's shortlist forBatman Forever to play thetitle character; Schumacher's four diverse choices wereDaniel Day-Lewis,Ralph Fiennes,Val Kilmer and Baldwin.[8] The role went toVal Kilmer. Baldwin starred alongsideCindy Crawford inFair Game. Then in 1996, he starred in a low-budget film byMiramax Films titledCurdled and was paid US$150,000 for his performance, compared to the $1.7 million he received for his role inSliver; his performance in the film was slightly acclaimed by critics.[9] In 1998, he appeared inWarren Beatty's filmBulworth as Constance Bulworth's lover. In 1999, Baldwin teamed up withJamie Lee Curtis andDonald Sutherland for the science fiction thrillerVirus and played alongsidePeter Gallagher in theShowtime original movie,Brotherhood of Murder.[citation needed]
In 2001, Baldwin played a leading role in the television filmDouble Bang which aired onHBO. Since then, Baldwin has played in other projects such asRed Rover in 2003,Park,Feel andLenexa, 1 Mile in 2006, andAdrift in Manhattan,A Plumm Summer,Noise, andHumble Pie in 2007. His 2004 filmArt Heist received much attention when it was released on DVD. Baldwin has continued to act in films and on television, but has not taken many leading roles. He was well received in a supporting role in the 2005 filmThe Squid and the Whale alongsideLaura Linney andJeff Daniels, for which he earned theGotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Cast. He also co-starred inABC'sDirty Sexy Money asDonald Sutherland's oldest son, Patrick Darling IV, for the duration of the show until April 2009. In 2008, he appeared in the comedy filmForgetting Sarah Marshall, which starsJason Segel andKristen Bell, as Detective Hunter Rush.
In February 2010, Baldwin playedBatman inJustice League: Crisis on Two Earths, a loose adaptation ofGrant Morrison'sJLA: Earth 2 story.[8] Baldwin portrayed Dr. Willam van der Woodsen, father ofSerena andEric van der Woodsen, on the third and fourth seasons ofGossip Girl. Baldwin was also featured with his brotherDaniel in UniGlobe Entertainment's breast cancer docudrama,1 a Minute.[10] The documentary was made byNamrata Singh Gujral, and features breast cancer survivorsOlivia Newton-John,Diahann Carroll,Melissa Etheridge,Namrata Singh Gujral,Mumtaz,Jaclyn Smith,Daniel Baldwin andPriya Dutt. Baldwin was cast in the second season ofParenthood, which aired Fall 2010.[11] He played Gordon Flint: a charismatic bachelor, the boss of Adam Braverman (Peter Krause) and a love-interest for Adam's sister, Sarah (Lauren Graham). In 2011, Baldwin starred in theLifetime Original Movie,The Craigslist Killer which aired January 3, 2011. He played the lead detective on the case of the killer,Philip Markoff, who connected with victims throughCraigslist ads placed in Boston, Massachusetts.
On June 1, 2011, Baldwin starred in the indie filmSexy Evil Genius, alongsideSeth Green,Harold Perrineau Jr.,Katee Sackhoff andMichelle Trachtenberg. The film was directed byShawn Piller. In July 2011, Baldwin joined the CBS dramaHawaii Five-0 for a multi-episode arc.[12] On March 22, 2012, Baldwin guest starred on the NBC show30 Rock. Baldwin plays Lance Drake Mandrell, an actor who plays Jack Donaghy – the role played in the series by Baldwin's real-life brotherAlec – in a made-for-TV movie within the show.[13][14]Baldwin is currently a model forSacoor Brothers. Baldwin appeared in the fourth and final season ofWilfred, replacingDwight Yoakam in the role of Bruce. In 2015, he narrated for the documentaryA Wing and a Prayer, a film about American fighter pilots who assisted in the1948 Arab–Israeli War and the founding of theIsraeli Air Force.[15]
In 2016, Baldwin signed on and currently has a recurring role on the2016 reboot of the television seriesMacGyver as Elwood Davis, Riley's estranged father onCBS Television Studios. On November 21, 2017, Baldwin joined the main cast on a television series along withMiles Teller inToo Old to Die Young which was released in the summer of 2019 onAmazon Video. Currently, Baldwin stars and executive producesNorthern Rescue, a Canadiandrama television series produced byCBC Television distributed internationally onNetflix. The first season of 10 episodes debuted on March 1, 2019.
In 2021, Baldwin starred inWar of the Worlds: Annihilation.[16] Baldwin appeared in the horror filmCandyland.[17] In 2024, he narrated the documentaryAmericans with No Address, a film that explores the causes of thehomeless crisis in the United States.[18] The documentary serves as a companion piece to the upcoming narrative feature filmNo Address, which aims to raise awareness about homelessness.
In 1995, Baldwin married singerChynna Phillips of the music groupWilson Phillips, daughter of musicianJohn Phillips andMichelle Gilliam. Together, they have three children, daughters Jameson (b. 2000) and Brooke (b. 2004) and son Vance (b. 2001).[19]
In October 2019, Baldwin revealed that his son Vance had been diagnosed withcancer the year prior and was now in remission.[20][21][22]
Baldwin splits his time between an estate inSanta Barbara, California, and another inBedford Corners, New York, which is 30 minutes away from his brotherStephen's estate inNyack, New York.[23]
Along with his brother Alec, Baldwin supports left-leaning issues which has strained relations with the conservative views of his brother Stephen.[24]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Preppie Murder | Robert Chambers | TV movie |
| Born on the Fourth of July | Platoon | ||
| 1990 | Internal Affairs | Officer Van Stretch | |
| Flatliners | Joe Hurley | ||
| 1991 | Backdraft | Brian McCaffrey | |
| 1993 | Three of Hearts | Joe Casella | |
| Sliver | Zeke Hawkins | ||
| 1995 | A Pyromaniac's Love Story | Garett | |
| Fair Game | Detective Max Kirkpatrick | ||
| 1996 | Curdled | Paul Guell | |
| 1998 | Bulworth | Constance Bulworth's Lover | |
| Shattered Image | Brian | ||
| 1999 | Virus | Steve Baker | |
| Brotherhood of Murder | Tom Martinez | TV movie | |
| 2000 | Primary Suspect | Christian Box | |
| Relative Values | Don Lucas | ||
| 2001 | Double Bang | Billy Brennan | |
| One Eyed King | Frankie Thomas | ||
| Say Nothing | Julian Grant | ||
| 2002 | You Stupid Man | Brady | |
| 2003 | Red Rover | Will Taylor | |
| 2004 | Art Heist | Bruce Walker | |
| 2005 | The Squid and the Whale | Ivan | |
| 2006 | Lenexa, 1 Mile | Dan Cooney Sr. | |
| Park | Dennis | ||
| Feel | Nathan | ||
| 2007 | Adrift in Manhattan | Mark Phipps | |
| American Fork | Truman Hope | ||
| A Plumm Summer | Mick Plumm | ||
| Noise | Mayor's Chief of Staff | ||
| 2008 | Forgetting Sarah Marshall | Detective Hunter Rush | |
| 2010 | Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths | Batman (voice) | Video |
| 1 a Minute | Himself | ||
| 2011 | The Craigslist Killer | Detective Bennett | TV movie |
| Jock the Hero Dog | Boatman (voice) | ||
| 2012 | Dino Time | Sarco (voice) | |
| 2013 | Be My Valentine | Dan | TV movie |
| Sexy Evil Genius | Bert Mayfaire | Video | |
| Stranger Within | Robert Moore | ||
| 2014 | The Wisdom to Know the Difference | Dennis | |
| Aftermath | Shane (voice) | ||
| 2015 | Lead With Your Heart | Ben Walker | TV movie |
| Christmas Trade | Mitch Taylor | ||
| 2016 | Chronology | Mr. Rose | |
| Blowtorch | Detective Frank Hogan | ||
| 2017 | While You Were Dating | Nick Stendahl | TV movie |
| Born Again Dead | Haskell | ||
| The Broken Key | Friar Hugo | ||
| Maximum Impact | Man in Shadows | ||
| 2018 | Abigail Falls | Peter | |
| Minutes to Midnight | Mr. Walters | ||
| 2019 | 1st Born | Saul | |
| Welcome to Acapulco | Drake Savage | ||
| Backdraft 2 | Brian McCaffrey | Video | |
| Talk | Elvis | Short | |
| 2020 | 2 Graves in the Desert | Mario | |
| Beckman | Reese | ||
| S.O.S. Survive or Sacrifice | Jake | ||
| 2021 | Church People | Mr. Cameron | |
| The Rebels of PT-218 | General Bradley | ||
| Fourth Grade | Charlie | ||
| Haters | Himself | ||
| War of the Worlds: Annihilation | General Skuller | ||
| 2022 | Dakota | Monty Sanders | |
| Candy Land | Sheriff Rex | ||
| Super Volcano | Senator Carlson | TV movie | |
| The Good Witch of Christmas | Tony | ||
| A Royal Christmas on Ice | Daryl Blake | TV movie | |
| The Case of the Christmas Diamond | Detective Billings | ||
| 20.0 Megaquake | Senator Carlson | ||
| 2023 | Ice Storm | Senator Carlson | |
| Assault on Hill 400 | General Weaver | ||
| Billie's Magic World | Gregory | [25][26] | |
| Break In | Robert Lockwood | ||
| A Royal Christmas Holiday | Jerrod | TV movie | |
| Out of Hand | Leonard | ||
| 2024 | South of Hope Street | Lt. Daniel Winthrop | |
| War of the Worlds: Extinction | General Skuller | ||
| 2025 | No Address | Robert | [27] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2006 | Danny Phantom | Johnny 13 (voice) | Recurring cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2-3 |
| 2006 | Waterfront | Paul Brennan | Main cast |
| 2007–2009 | Dirty Sexy Money | Patrick Darling | Main cast |
| 2010 | Parenthood | Gordon Flint | Recurring cast:Season 2 |
| 2010–2012 | Gossip Girl | William Van Der Woodsen | Recurring cast: Season 3-6 |
| 2011–2012 | Hawaii Five-0 | Frank Delano | Recurring cast: Season 2, Guest: Season 3 |
| 2012 | 30 Rock | Lance Drake Mandrell | Episode: "Kidnapped by Danger" |
| Men at Work | Shepard Peters | Episode: "Inventing Milo" | |
| 2013 | Copper | William 'Wild Bill' Eustace | Recurring cast: Season 2 |
| 2014 | Wilfred | Bruce | Episode: "Patterns" |
| 2015 | Forever | Oliver Clausten | Episode: "The Wolves of Deep Brooklyn" |
| Hot in Cleveland | Dane Stevens | Recurring cast: Season 6 | |
| 2016 | Hit the Floor | Jackson Everett | Recurring cast: Season 3 |
| 2017–2019 | MacGyver | Elwood Davis | Recurring cast: Season 2, Guest: Season 3 |
| 2018 | Insatiable | Gordy Greer | Episode: "Banana Heart Banana" |
| The Purge | David Ryker | Recurring cast: Season 1 | |
| Dream Corp, LLC | Dad | Episode: "Can't Touch This" | |
| 2019 | Northern Rescue | John West | Main Cast |
| Too Old to Die Young | Theo | Recurring cast | |
| 2023 | South Wind | Warren | Main cast |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | A Wing and a Prayer | Narrator |
| 2024 | Americans With No Address | Narrator |
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | MTV Movie Awards | MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Male | Sliver | Won |
| Golden Raspberry Awards | Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor | Nominated | ||
| 1995 | Golden Raspberry Awards | Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple(shared withCindy Crawford) | Fair Game | Nominated |
| 2005 | Gotham Independent Film Awards | Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Cast | The Squid and the Whale | Won |
