Biography for
Alec Baldwin More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

3 April 1958, Massapequa, Long Island, New York, USA

Birth Name

Alexander Rae Baldwin III

Height

6' (1.83 m)

Mini Biography

Raven-haired, suavely handsome and prolific actor Alec Baldwin was born on April 3, 1958 in Massapequa, New York, and is easily the best-known of the four Baldwin brothers in the acting business (the others are Stephen Baldwin, William Baldwin and Daniel Baldwin). Alec burst onto the TV scene in the early 1980s with appearances on several series, including "The Doctors" (1963) and "Knots Landing" (1979), before scoring feature film roles in Forever, Lulu (1987), Beetlejuice (1988), Working Girl (1988), Married to the Mob (1988) and Talk Radio (1988). In 1990, Baldwin appeared in the first on-screen adaptation of the "Jack Ryan" character created by mega-selling espionage author, Tom Clancy. The film, The Hunt for Red October (1990), was a box office and critical success, with Baldwin appearing alongside icy Sean Connery. Unfortunately, Baldwin fell out with Paramount Studios over future scripts for "Jack Ryan", and subsequent Ryan roles went to Harrison Ford.

Baldwin instead went to Broadway to perform "A Streetcar Named Desire", garnering a Tony nomination for his portrayal of "Stanley Kowalski" (he would reprise the role in a 1995 TV adaptation). Baldwin won over critics as a lowlife thief pursued by dogged cop Fred Ward in Miami Blues (1990), met his future wife Kim Basinger while filming the Neil Simon comedy, The Marrying Man (1991), starred in the film adaptation of the play, Prelude to a Kiss (1992) (in which he starred off-Broadway), and made an indelible ten-minute cameo as a hard-nosed real estate executive laying down the law in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992). He also made a similar tour-de-force monologue in the thriller, Malice (1993), as a doctor defending his practices, in which he stated, "Let me tell you something: I am God".

Demand for Baldwin's talents in the 1990s saw more scripts swiftly come his way, and he starred alongside his then-wife, Kim Basinger, in a remake of the Steve McQueen action flick, The Getaway (1994), brought to life the famous comic strip character, The Shadow (1994), and starred as an assistant district attorney in the civil rights drama, Ghosts of Mississippi (1996). Baldwin's distinctive vocal talents then saw him voice US-aired episodes of the highly popular UK children's show, "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends" (1984), plus later voice-only contributions to other animated/children's shows, including "Clerks" (2000), Cats & Dogs (2001), Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004).

In the early 2000s, Baldwin and Basinger endured an acrimonious break-up that quickly became tabloid fodder but, while his divorce was high-profile, Baldwin excelled in a number of lower-profile supporting roles in a variety of films, including State and Main (2000), Pearl Harbor (2001), The Cooler (2003) (for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor), The Aviator (2004), Along Came Polly (2004) and The Departed (2006). As he was excelling as a consummate character actor, Baldwin found a second career in television comedy. Already known for his comedic turns hosting "Saturday Night Live" (1975), he essayed an extended guest role on "Will & Grace" (1998) in 2005 before taking on what would arguably become his most famous role, that of network executive "Jack Donaghy", opposite Tina Fey in the highly-acclaimed sitcom, "30 Rock" (2006). The role brought Baldwin two Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, and an unprecedented six Screen Actors Guild Awards (not including cast wins).

Continuing to appear in films as "30 Rock" (2006) wrapped up its final season, Baldwin remarried in 2012 to Hilaria Thomas (aka Hilaria Lynn Thomas), and is rumored to be considering political office.

IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com

Spouse

Hilaria Thomas	(30 June 2012 - present)
Kim Basinger	(19 August 1993 - 3 September 2002) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

Deep raspy voice

Long story-driven monologues

Frequently plays immoral men of power

Frequently plays deeply narcissistic though inherently moral characters

Deadpan comic delivery

Trivia

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#80). [1995]

Father, with Kim Basinger, of daughter, Ireland Baldwin (aka "Ireland Eliesse Baldwin" and "Addie Baldwin"), born on October 23, 1995.

He and his wife Kim Basinger owned a total of eleven dogs, seven cats and a wolf.

Education: George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (majored in political science), New York University, New York, New York (majored in drama; BA, 1993).

As part of his preparation for The Hunt for Red October (1990), he was trained to drive a Los Angeles-class attack submarine at the New London Submarine Base in Connecticut.

Brother of William Baldwin, Stephen Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, Jane Sasso, and Elizabeth Keuchler.

Brother-in-law of singer Chynna Phillips and Kennya Baldwin.

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1990]

Cousin of actor Joseph Baldwin and Charles H. Baldwin.

Originally wanted to be a lawyer.

His father was not only a social studies teacher in Massapequa, but also the football coach.

Alec's daughter is often called "Addie" by family members.

During the Bill Clinton impeachment trial went on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) and said to a cheering audience that the head of the trial, Henry Hyde and his family, should be stoned to death. He later apologized and said it was just a joke.

A fan of novelist James Lee Burke, he owns the rights to a number of books featuring his character Dave Robiceaux. One of these, Heaven's Prisoners (1996), was released in 1996.

Wrote "Law & Order: Tabloid (#8.23)" (1998), an episode of "Law & Order" (1990), based on his own experiences with tabloid reporters.

Turned down the chance to reprise the role of Jack Ryan in Patriot Games (1992) in order to play Stanley Kowalski in a revival of Tennessee Williams's "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway.

Told brother Stephen Baldwin that doing Bio-Dome (1996) could be the single most career ending decision he could possibly make.

Loves Cuban cigars.

At George Washington University, Baldwin ran for president but lost by two votes.

Taught "Master Theater Workshop" in summer 2002 at Southampton College, New York where friend James LaRocca is Dean.

Is only the third person in history to be nominated for both Best Supporting Actor from the Oscars, for The Cooler (2003), and Worst Supporting Actor from the Razzies, for Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat (2003), in the same year.

Jokes that he "stole" his performance in The Cooler (2003) from Ben Kingsley's in Sexy Beast (2000).

Replaced Alan Rickman as the voice of Leonardo Leonardo in the 2000 cartoon based on Kevin Smith's film Clerks. (1994).

Received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Montclair State University at their 2004 Graduation.

Like ex-wife Kim Basinger, he is also a vegetarian. He claims she was the one who convinced him. Since their divorce he has continued to be an advocate for animal rights.

In 1995, he played the role of Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (1995) (TV), a role originated by Marlon Brando, who went on to play Vito Corleone. On "Saturday Night Live" (1975), he has played Robert De Niro, who played the young Vito Corleone to Brando's older Don Corleone, in The Godfather: Part II (1974).

His A Streetcar Named Desire (1995) (TV) castmate, John Goodman, played Marlon Brando on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

Has done voice-over work in television ads for both General Electric and Subaru.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1992 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for playing Stanley Kowalski in a revival of Tennessee Williams's "A Streetcar Named Desire," a performance he recreated in a television version of the same title, A Streetcar Named Desire (1995) (TV).

Is of Irish and French descent.

Is one of only two people with a standing invitation to host "Saturday Night Live" (1975) every year (schedules allowing). The other is Christopher Walken.

Has impersonated Robert De Niro on "Saturday Night Live" (1975) a few times, and now he will be in The Good Shepherd (2006), which is directed by De Niro.

He was willing to voice his own puppet in Team America: World Police (2004) (despite the movie's unflattering portrait of him and other film stars, but was turned down by producers Matt Stone and Trey Parker, because all of the other celebrities were voiced by impressionists in the film. The role went to impressionist Maurice LaMarche.

In 1979, he auditioned for the New York University Undergraduate Drama Program on a dare (and was accepted).

No relation to actor Adam Baldwin.

Son of Carol M. Baldwin and Alexander Baldwin II. His father was one of Brian Kilmeade's teacher.

Was considered for the role of Dr. Curtis McCabe in Vanilla Sky (2001).

Has declined two roles that later went to Harrison Ford. First, he declined to reprise the role of Jack Ryan in Patriot Games (1992), then he turned down the lead role in The Fugitive (1993).

Was considered for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989).

Did a skit on "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in December of 2005 in which he spoofed himself delivering the same speech he did in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) to a couple of Santa's elves. Only some of the words were changed to apply to the elves rather than salesmen. He slipped though when saying the line, "Always Be Cobbling" instead he said the original line, "Always Be Closing". This made the other cast members break out in laughter on the live show.

He is frequently referred to as Irish-American and, although both of his parents have Irish heritage, he is not entirely Irish. His father was half-English and his mother's side is primarily French (only one-quarter Irish).

Caused a scandal by leaving an expletive-filled voice mail for his daughter, Ireland, calling her a "thoughtless little pig", which later was revealed to the media (11 April 2007).

Revealed during an appearance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) that he suffers from OCD.

Wrote the "Law & Order: Tabloid (#8.23)" (1998) episode for the television show, "Law & Order" (1990), which was part of the 1998 season, because of his own experience with tabloid reporters.

Caused a major uproar in the Philippines when he made a joke that he was interested in buying a Filipina wife. As a result, Philippine senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., (also an actor) blasted Baldwin and even swore to personally beat him up if he ever visits the Philippines. Despite apologizing for the joke, Baldwin was effectively banned from visiting the Philippines.

Will surpass, Steve Martin, for hosting "Saturday Night Live" (1975) the most times - the 16th - when he does so, as scheduled, on Sept. 24, 2011. Martin has hosted 14 times. In 2010, the friendly duo co-hosted The 82nd Annual Academy Awards (2010) (TV).

Teaches a theater class at The Ross School in New York, which actress Aimee Denaro attended.

Has announced plans to retire from acting and pursue other interests when his contract for "30 Rock" (2006) expires in 2012.

Good friends with actress Meryl Streep.

Is five years younger than his ex-wife, Kim Basinger.

Trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.

Is a huge fan of the Chicago Bears.

On December 12, 1998, Alec Baldwin hosted "Saturday Night Live" (1975) and appeared in the double entendre-filled "Schweddy Balls" edition of the recurring skit "The Delicious Dish," which spoofed National Public Radio (NPR). In 2009, Baldwin became the on-air radio host of "The New York Philharmonic This Week" on the real NPR. In 2011, Baldwin became the host of his own public radio interview podcast show on WNYC, "Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin.".

His agent is Michael A. Katcher.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 15, 2011, outside Eva Longoria's restaurant, Beso, on Hollywood Blvd., seven blocks away from ex-wife Kim Basinger's star. In attendance were his brother Stephen Baldwin, his daughter Ireland and friend Megan Mullally.

Studied at NYU's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts.

As a long-time political liberal activist, was rumored to be weighing a run for mayor of New York City...until he denied it recently on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) (2011).

For his role on "30 Rock" (2006), named one of the "Eight Actors Who Turn Television into Art", in cover story of The New York Times Magazine (9/11/11).

Removed from an American Airlines flight on December 6, 2011 at Los Angeles International Airport, reportedly for not turning off his cellphone.

Engaged to yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas, 28 [April 3, 2012].

Son of Carol M. Baldwin (aka Carol Martineau Baldwin) of Syracuse, New York and the late Alexander R. Baldwin Jr.

In 2011 announced that he canceled his plans to retire from acting. He explained that his intention had been to enter politics, but he decided against it and he will renew his contract for "30 Rock" (2006).

Alec and his wife, Hilaria Thomas, are expecting their first child in Summer, 2013 [February 12, 2013].

His acting mentor is Julie Harris.

His first wife, Kim Basinger (born 1953), is 31 years older than his second wife, Hilaria Thomas (born 1984).

Personal Quotes

Acting in the theatre is fun, acting in film is work.

I don't get acting jobs because of my looks.

[1997] I'm starting to feel I have to cure my addiction to Hollywood money, because while it's delightful, it's also insidious.

Some guys smoke good Dominicans, other guys smoke great Jamaicans. I only smoke the best - Havanas!

[on Tina Fey] Tina is smart, funny, beautiful... Devoted, tough, respected... Now if she'd only work on her posture.

The comments of some Philippine government officials come as no surprise to me, either. Even the one by a former action film star-turned-Senator who beckoned me to come to the Philippines so he could 'beat' me over my comment. (in reference to Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr.)

I have worshiped Meryl for so long that I would have played her driver or her chiropractor. (on Meryl Streep).

Men are literally lying in bed with their wives when the marriage is essentially over thinking, 'I've got to get the hell out of here,' and have a fantasy woman in mind. Then you get divorced, meet a woman, marry her and, by the time all that goes by, you've aged a few years and are ready to go back to your ex-wife. You want a woman who is sane and normal. A woman who is more like you. You've gotten older.

[on Charlie Sheen's 2011 public meltdown] I think Charlie just needs a good night's sleep. He seems wound a little tight.

Remember, sex is like a Chinese dinner. It ain't over 'til you both get your cookie.

[on why he named his daughter Ireland] Because she's beautiful but can't manage her finances.

There are people who would rather choke than go see my movies. They write me letters all the time.

I wanted to be president of the United States. I really did. The older I get the less preposterous the idea seems.

[on Chris Farley] Whenever I was watching Chris perform I would think, 'How do I get where he's at? How do I get to be as funny and as honest and as warm?'

You know, Hollywood does draw some very strange characters, and then the power of Hollywood and what they can do with it becomes like a blood sport to them.

[on William Holden, the star he most admires] There's three things: there's masculinity, there's intelligence, there's sensitivity. You've got to bring those three things to a leading man's role. In some people there's a little too much in the mix of one or the other. With Holden it was always the perfect mix.

I think I do want to go into politics. I really, really do. And I don't know if I will. You have to stop and ask a lot of whys. Run for the glory? Run to complete some missing piece of myself? I can keep doing what I'm doing for a living now and be perfectly happy.

I just want to say: The worst cases you never hear about. Hollywood studios bury that stuff - actors who punch directors in the face and try to run producers over with cars - insanity, criminal behavior. But the studios are invested in that star, they can't have that person's name dirtied up.

I'm at the age where, in the Tennessee Williams canon, all that's available is Shannon [in "The Night of the Iguana"]. After that it's Big Daddy.

[on stage acting, as in "Orphans" on Broadway] Rehearsal is painful. Not knowing the lines, not having a mastery of the text is painful, because until you have it you can't play the scenes. When we're up onstage now I kind of dig it. It's fun. Though I know half the audience is going to like it for the wrong reason, half of them are not going to like it for the wrong reason. You just do the show.

Salary

The Marrying Man (1991)	$1,500,000
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)	$250,000
Heaven's Prisoners (1996)	$5,000,000
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)	$5,500,000
"30 Rock" (2006)	$300,000/episode (2009-10)

Where Are They Now

(2008) Release of his book, "A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood, Divorce and Family Law" by Alec with Mark Tabb.

(June 2012) New York City, NY, USA