Greg Kinnear was born on June 17, 1963, in Logansport, Indiana, USA toEdward Kinnear, a career diplomat with the US State Department, andSuzanne (nee Buck) Kinnear, a homemaker. He has two brothers -- James, vicepresident-investments at Wachovia Securities in Arizona who was born in1957, and Steve, a business manager with the Billy Graham Training Center in North Carolina who was born in 1959. His family moved often, including Lebanon and Greece. While a student in Athens, Greg first ventured into the role of talk show host with his radio show "School Daze With Greg Kinnear".
Returning to college in the States, he attended the University ofArizona in Tucson, graduating in 1985 with a degree in broadcastjournalism. He headed out to Los Angeles, landing his first job as amarketing assistant with Empire Entertainment. He auditioned to be anMTV VJ, but was not selected and became an on-location reporter for thechannel. He had bit parts onL.A. Law (1986) andLife Goes On (1989). He would later become the creator, co-executive producer, and host ofBest of the Worst (1991) (1990-91). His breakthrough was as first host ofTalk Soup (1991) (1994), when he left the show for the NBC late-night talk show,Later with Greg Kinnear (1994).
In 1994, Kinnear had his first big screen role, as a talk show host intheDamon Wayans comedyBlankman (1994). In 1995 he won the roleof David Larrabee inSydney Pollack's remake ofBilly Wilder's 1954 classicSabrina (1995). Next was the lead in the 1996 comedyDear God (1996). In 1997, he was cast inJames L. Brooks'sblockbuster comedy-dramaAs Good as It Gets (1997), receiving an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor. In his next film, the romantic comedyA Smile Like Yours (1997), he starred oppositeLauren Holly as part of acouple trying to have a baby. The film met with lukewarm reviews and alow box office.
His next film,You've Got Mail (1998), struck gold. He playedMeg Ryan's significant other, a newspaper columnist. Next he played Captain Amazing inMystery Men (1999). His more recent films haveBetty Sizemore (2000),Loser (2000), andSomeone Like You... (2001).
Returning to college in the States, he attended the University ofArizona in Tucson, graduating in 1985 with a degree in broadcastjournalism. He headed out to Los Angeles, landing his first job as amarketing assistant with Empire Entertainment. He auditioned to be anMTV VJ, but was not selected and became an on-location reporter for thechannel. He had bit parts onL.A. Law (1986) andLife Goes On (1989). He would later become the creator, co-executive producer, and host ofBest of the Worst (1991) (1990-91). His breakthrough was as first host ofTalk Soup (1991) (1994), when he left the show for the NBC late-night talk show,Later with Greg Kinnear (1994).
In 1994, Kinnear had his first big screen role, as a talk show host intheDamon Wayans comedyBlankman (1994). In 1995 he won the roleof David Larrabee inSydney Pollack's remake ofBilly Wilder's 1954 classicSabrina (1995). Next was the lead in the 1996 comedyDear God (1996). In 1997, he was cast inJames L. Brooks'sblockbuster comedy-dramaAs Good as It Gets (1997), receiving an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor. In his next film, the romantic comedyA Smile Like Yours (1997), he starred oppositeLauren Holly as part of acouple trying to have a baby. The film met with lukewarm reviews and alow box office.
His next film,You've Got Mail (1998), struck gold. He playedMeg Ryan's significant other, a newspaper columnist. Next he played Captain Amazing inMystery Men (1999). His more recent films haveBetty Sizemore (2000),Loser (2000), andSomeone Like You... (2001).
BornJune 17, 1963
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 13 wins & 21 nominations total
Actor
Producer
Writer
- Alternative name
- The Legend Greg Kinnear
- Height
- 1.76 m
- Born
- Spouse
- Helen LabdonMay 1, 1999 - present (3 children)
- ParentsSuzanne Kinnear
- Other works1995: TV commercials for Eagle Talon cars.
- Publicity listings
- TriviaLived in Beirut, Lebanon for almost nine months in 1975 due to his father's position with the State Department. After fighting broke out in Lebanon, his father was reassigned to the American Embassy in Athens, Greece and the family remained there for seven years.
- QuotesSetting goals can blind you to opportunities. You might be trying toget to point C; when opportunity B comes, you don't even look at itbecause you're going straight to C. I've never had a clear road map.When things come along, I benefit.
- TrademarkFrequently plays real-life men.
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