Jeff Goldblum

Actor

Tall and wryly cynical, Jeff Goldblum was a star of Jurassic Park and many other films of the 1980s and 1990s. Goldblum studied piano before getting his acting start on the New York stage. That's where he was noticed by Robert Altman, who cast him in California Split (1974) and Nashville (1975). In 1983 Goldblum had a memorable role as a celebrity journalist in the comedy The Big Chill, and was the star of director David Cronenberg's creepy remake of The Fly (1986). He has had leading roles and character parts in several comedies and small-budget dramas, but is best known for his appearances in the 1990s blockbuster sci-fi thrillers Jurassic Park (1993), Independence Day (1996, with Will Smith) and Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997, with Vince Vaughn). His other films include Igby Goes Down (2002), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Man of the Year (2006, with Robin Williams).

Extra credit: In the 1974 movie Death Wish Goldblum plays one of the scruffy hooligans who helps Charles Bronson see the merits of vigilantism... Goldblum was married to Geena Davis, his co-star in The Fly, from 1987-1990... The Fly was produced by Brooksfilms, the production company headed by comedian Mel Brooks.

Other actors of the same era: Will Smith, Sharon Stone, Dennis Quaid and Brad Pitt.