Biography

Alec Baldwin is the oldest, and best-known, of the four Baldwin brothers in the acting business (the others are Stephen Baldwin, William Baldwin and Daniel Baldwin). Alexander Rae Baldwin III was born on April 3, 1958 in Massapequa, New York, the son of Carol Newcomb (Martineau) and Alexander Rae Baldwin Jr., a high school teacher and football coach at Massapequa High School. He is of Irish, as well as English, French, Scottish, and German, descent.

Alec Baldwin 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 (1986), 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 & 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 was engaged in 2012 to wed Hilaria Baldwin (aka Hilaria Lynn Thomas); the couple married on June 30, 2012.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com

Deep raspy voice

Deadpan comic delivery

Dimpled chin

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

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.

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

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.

Baldwin wrote the series episode Law & Order: Tabloid (1998), which was based on his own experiences with tabloid reporters.

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

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

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

He and ex-wife, actress Kim Basinger, are vegetarians. He has said Basinger convinced him to adopt that dietary lifestyle. Both remain advocates for animal rights. The couple owned a total of eleven dogs, seven cats and a wolf during their marriage.

In 1995, he played the role of Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (1995), 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).

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

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 considered for the role of Dr. Curtis McCabe in Cameron Crowe's Vanilla Sky (2001), which went to Kurt Russell.

He was considered by Tim Burton and Warner Brothers Studios for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989), which went to Michael Keaton.

On April 11, 2007, he caused a scandal by leaving an expletive-filled voicemail for his daughter, Ireland, calling her a "thoughtless little pig", which later was revealed to the media.

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.

Good friends with actress Meryl Streep.

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".

A longtime outspoken liberal Democrat, he was rumored in 2011 to be weighing a run for mayor of New York City based on his announcement that he was retiring from acting. He later issued a denial on Late Show with David Letterman (1993) and explained that his intention had been to enter politics, but he decided against it and he would be renewing his contract for 30 Rock (2006).

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

Has seven children with wife Hilaria Baldwin. Carmen Gabriella, August 23, 2013; Rafael Thomas, June 17, 2015; Leonardo Ángel Charles, September 12, 2016; Romeo Alejandro David, May 18, 2018; Eduardo Pau Lucas, September 8, 2020; Lucia (born by surrogate), March 20, 2021 and Ilaria Catalina Irena, September 22, 2022.

Claimed in a 2013 interview that he donates all the money he makes from his Capital One commercials to charity and even 'got addicted to giving the money away'.

Has worked with all four actresses who played Bruce Wayne's love interests in the Burton/Schumacher Batman films. He was married to Kim Basinger and appeared with her in The Getaway (1994). He and Michelle Pfeiffer appeared in Married to the Mob (1988). He and Nicole Kidman appeared in Malice (1993). He and Elle Macpherson appeared in The Edge (1997).

The first film he ever saw was How the West Was Won (1962).

For two consecutive years, he played the screen husband of the Best Actress Oscar winner: Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine (2013) and Julianne Moore in Still Alice (2014).

Worked at Studio 54 in the 1970s.

One of his least favorite films of all time is Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975).

Was the first non-cast member of Saturday Night Live (1975) to play Donald Trump in an "SNL" sketch.

In his 2017 memoir, he wrote that he was the inspiration for the role of the primadonna actor in What Just Happened (2008). He wasn't pleased about it and was even more annoyed when Robert De Niro offered him the role. After he declined, Bruce Willis got the role.

He is the only actor to play the role of Jack Ryan who acted alongside every other actor who played the role: He was in Working Girl (1988) with Harrison Ford who played Ryan in Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994). He was in Pearl Harbor (2001) with Ben Affleck, who played Ryan in The Sum of All Fears (2002). He was in Rise of the Guardians (2012) with Chris Pine, who played Ryan in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) and he was in Aloha (2015) with John Krasinski, who plays Ryan in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018).

He has starred in three films with Matt Damon: The Departed (2006), The Good Shepherd (2006) and Downsizing (2017). The two also appeared in multiple episodes of 30 Rock (2006) together.

Dated Lori Loughlin, Tatum O'Neal, Kristin Davis, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lori Singer and Holly Gagnier.

Withdrew from Henry & June (1990) two weeks before filming began.

On February 11, 2010, he got into an argument on the phone with his daughter Ireland and threatened to take pills. When Ireland tried to call him back and couldn't reach him, she dialed 911. That same day, Alec was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital before being released just hours later.

In his memoir, Baldwin estimates that ex-wife Kim Basinger spent about $1.5 million over a seven-year period in her efforts to deny him parental access.

Former student of acting teacher, David Gideon.

Was replaced by Harrison Ford for the role of Jack Trainer in Working Girl (1988) and relegated to the smaller role of Mick Dugan. Since Melanie Griffith wasn't a big enough name to carry a film back then (she ended up getting third billing despite having the main role), Fox demanded that the male lead be played by a box office star or they wouldn't green-light the project. "So, Mike Nichols had to call Alec and say, 'Look, I'm really sorry. The circumstances have changed. Would you do this other part?' Alec understood and was so lovely about it. He came in and really nailed that character. It was an awkward adjustment," recalled producer Douglas Wick.

He was Christopher Nolan's first choice for the role of Leonard Shelby in Memento (2000).

His parents both had Irish ancestry, and their other roots included English, French-Canadian, German and Scottish.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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'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.

[after being arrested for cycling his bike the wrong way down Fifth Avenue] New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign.

[on The Godfather (1972)] It's like a drug. It takes away your free will. You're going to watch this movie, whether you planned on it or not.

[2012] I've had a very average film career. The average career is that 25 per cent of the films you do are good, or very good. Twenty-five percent of the films you do are disgusting and horrible. And the 50 per cent in the middle is 'eh'.

[on Demi Moore] She's one of the smartest women I've ever met in my life.

[in 2017, on the sexual harassment scandal in Hollywood involving his friend James Toback and many others] I certainly have treated women in a very sexist way. I've bullied women. I've overlooked women. I've underestimated women. Not as a rule. From time to time, I've done what a lot of men do, which is...when you don't treat women the same way you treat men. You don't. I'm from a generation where you really don't and I'd like that to change. I really would like that to change. (...) I think it's important for us to try to make the workplace and beyond not only comfortable and right and fair and appropriate but as productive, as well. I think a lot of what we're dealing with within this issue is hurting our business. It's making it less productive. (...) I knew of certain things, that there were rumors of things happening to people, but I didn't necessarily know the scope, when you hear the hundreds and hundreds of women who are complaining about this. It's been a very eye-opening experience for me personally. We've got to be vigilant in a new way to make sure that everybody is comfortable and that we get the job done together that we're there to do.

All along, I think there were things I could have done to make things easier for me in the industry sense. I suppose, deep down inside, that really wasn't important to me because ultimately, if it WAS important to me, I would have acted differently, made different decisions. What I wanted seven years ago was to give the best performance possible in the best possible film, but then I realized I wasn't willing to make certain sacrifices in order to cement that. I was really, really down after a bunch of movies that were really, really frustrating.

Am I ever going to give up acting? Yes. I almost can't wait to give up acting, in one sense. I'm never going to get it right. I've resolved this with myself. I've made tons of money and seen the world and worked with all these great people, and still feel like a failure out there.

[on being dumped by Basinger] The loss of my family was the most catastrophic and painful thing I ever had to go through. It was so awful. I am not looking for sympathy, but I was really, really down. There was a period when I didn't want to live. I'd go to bed at night and say, 'Just please let me die in my sleep.' I didn't want to live anymore without my daughter.

I was reared in a very diehard, left-leaning home: Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. I grew up with that philosophy.

[on how his wife, Hilaria, keeps him grounded] I whine about living in New York, and I try to live my life like a normal guy and walk down the streets. And I don't want to have all the security guards. [I want to] live like a normal guy. And I'll complain about how people will interrupt your meal, and my wife will look at me and go, "Nobody feels sorry for Alec Baldwin. Nobody." She'll turn to people in the restaurant and go, "Anybody here feel sorry for Alec Baldwin?" She does this to me in public. She's very clever, my wife.

[in 2013, when Arpad Busson refused to fund one of his film projects because he's "only a TV star"] He's a pockmarked toady who hops from yacht to yacht and bed to bed. So when some bloated little toad like Busson labels me a certain way, I say to myself, 'Consider the source.' If movie stardom meant being trapped on a yacht with Busson, I'd rather be a weatherman for Channel 4 in New York.

If my defense of Woody Allen offends you, it's real simple. Unfollow. Condemn. Move on.