- Born
- Birth nameDennis William Quaid
- Height6′ (1.83 m)
- Dennis William Quaid was born on April 9, 1954 in Houston, Texas to Juanita Bonniedale "Nita" Quaid (née Jordan), a real estate agent & William Rudy Quaid, an electrician. He grew up in the Houston suburban city of Bellaire. He was raised a Baptist, and studied drama, Mandarin Chinese, and dance while a student at Bellaire High School. He continued study at the University of Houston, but dropped out before completing his degree. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film career where his brother, Randy Quaid, had already began to build a successful career. However, Dennis initially had trouble finding film roles, but began to gain notice when he appeared in Breaking Away (1979) and earned strong reviews for his role in The Right Stuff (1983). Aside from acting, Quaid is also a musician, and plays with his band, "The Sharks". He holds a flying license and is a five handicap golfer.- IMDb mini biography by: Matt Dicker-update by Brian Daly
- SpousesLaura Quaid(June 2, 2020 - present)Kimberly Buffington(July 4, 2004 - April 27, 2018) (divorced, 2 children)Meg Ryan(February 14, 1991 - July 16, 2001) (divorced, 1 child)P.J. Soles(November 23, 1978 - August 23, 1983) (divorced)
- ChildrenThomas Boone QuaidZoe Grace Quaid
- ParentsJuanita Bonniedale Jordan
- RelativesBo Brinkman(Cousin)Randy Quaid(Sibling)Amanda Quaid(Niece or Nephew)Buddy Quaid(Half Sibling)Brandy Quaid(Half Sibling)Gene Autry(Cousin)Dakota Brinkman(Cousin)
- Battled anorexia in the mid-1990s, which started when he shed 40 pounds to play Doc Holliday in Wyatt Earp (1994). Quaid comments that "I'd look in the mirror and still see a 180-lb. guy, even though I was 138 pounds." He eventually sought treatment and recovered.
- He is a licensed private pilot with single and multiengine instrument ratings. He also has a type rating for the Cessna Citation 500 series twin engine light jet. He regularly flies the jet to his property in Montana.
- He and brother Randy Quaid have both played Doc Holliday: Dennis in Wyatt Earp (1994) and Randy in Purgatory (1999).
- When singing with his band, Dennis Quaid and the Sharks, he always plays with bare feet in order to feel comfortable as if playing in his living room.
- He has appeared in four films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Breaking Away (1979), The Right Stuff (1983), Traffic (2000) and The Substance (2024).
- What, like I want to look like Dick Clark? No. I think I'll look great with liver spots.
- I could never hold a job for more than three months, which works out well because that's how long a movie shoots.
- [2004] Being a celebrity couple is not so easy - it's double the publicity, and it's hard to have a private life...I have to tell you that I am happier with my life now then ever: I have a great son and a great career. I'm not only here, but here stronger than I've ever been - I have absolutely no regrets about the ups and downs of my career.
- [on his recovery from cocaine addiction] Well, a couple of times I had people come have a talk with me, but I was operating, for the most part, on two hours of sleep a night, and I realized, "I can't do this and last very long." So I cleaned up (in the early '90s) and then the jobs stopped coming. You clean up your life and think you're supposed to be rewarded for it, but things actually got worse. On the other hand, if I hadn't sobered up, I probably wouldn't be alive today.
- There are three things being a celebrity is good for: raising money for charity, dinner reservations and tee times.
- Playing by Heart (1999) - $60,000
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