Biography for
Terry O'Quinn More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

15 July 1952, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, USA

Birth Name

Terrance Quinn

Nickname

Mister Ten Thirteen

Height

6' 1½" (1.87 m)

Spouse

Lori O Quinn'

(1979 - present) 2 children

Trade Mark

Bald head

Quiet reserved but charming manner

Soft soothing voice

Trivia

Is good friends with 1013 Productions' Chris Carter, having appeared in most of his work: as a guest star in two episodes of "The X-Files" (1993), a supporting role in The X Files (1998) and recurring roles on "Harsh Realm" (1999) and "Millennium" (1996/I).

He was raised in Michigan.

He elongated his last name to "O'Quinn" from his real name of "Quinn" to distinguish himself from another person named Terry Quinn already acting in films.

He has been balding since his early 20s and has appeared with a partially or entirely shaved head in most of his films.

Irish-American.

Has been experienced in percussion since high school.

Has had roles in both of J.J. Abrams's hit television series, "Alias" (2001) and "Lost" (2004).

Not many know that he is a talented guitarist and singer. He is a particularly big Neil Young fan and can apparently do a dead-on impression of him.

Although always friendly onset, he keeps private and mysterious habits apart from his younger "Lost" (2004) co-stars, who often get together for wild parties when not shooting. He keeps this enigmatic aura so they will regard him similarly to the way they regard his mysterious character Locke.

He is one of the few cast members of "Lost" (2004) who did not have to audition, because his former collaborator (from "Alias" (2001)) J.J. Abrams thought of O'Quinn for the part of Locke before the actor was even offered it.

Has 2 sons: Oliver Quinn (b. 1984) and Hunter Quinn (b. 1986).

Graduated from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

He graduated from Central Michigan University.

Has appeared in episodes of two different television series with the same name. Both "Millennium" (1996/I) and "Lost" (2004) have had episodes featuring O'Quinn called "Walkabout".

In an episode of "Lost" (2004), his character Locke's parents were played by Kevin Tighe and Swoosie Kurtz, who are both only eight years O'Quinn's senior.

Has an Irish Terrier named 'Reggie'

Was the chief architect for the infamous "Locke" baseball field designed mostly in part for the Three Village Little League.

Actually learned how to properly throw and handle knives for his role on "Lost" (2004).

His brother Thomas Anthony Quinn is also an actor, who acts and teaches theatre in central Illinois.

He is one of eleven children.

Personal Quotes

"It looks like a camera on a stick." - when asked what the "monster" from "Lost" (2004) looks like.

I so rarely turned down a role, that I can't say I have any regrets in that regard. There were many roles that I would rather not have done, but having a home and family requires that we sometimes do things we would rather not. I have done a few roles that I've never watched, and if I happen to be flicking through channels and one pops up, I quickly move on. It's hard enough to sustain some self confidence without being reminded of things we'd rather not revisit but, in the end, it comes with the territory.

I don't think I could play a character that I couldn't relate to somehow. I'm not unfamiliar with frustration, anger, shame, helplessness and a load of other emotions that make up our psycho-soup. I try to focus on that frustration, that sense of unfairness, and multiply it.

I've told the producers that I miss the old John Locke. I wish he hadn't found those damn buttons sometimes. But these ups and downs reflect everybody's. You can't always choose the way things go. That's life.