(1952-)

Who Is Jeff Goldblum?

Jeff Goldblum studied acting with Sanford Meisner in New York before embarking on a big-screen career. He has starred in several dozen films, with prominent roles in works like The Fly, Jurassic Park, Independence Day and Morning Glory. Goldblum is also a noted stage and television actor, having been part of the cast of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. His more recent big-budget film work includes 2017’s Thor: Ragnorak and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).

Early Life and Career

Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum was born on October 22, 1952, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue acting but initially kept his passion a secret from his family and friends. During his adolescence he had the chance to take up drama during summer sessions at Carnegie Mellon University, and, at age 17, made his way to New York City, subsequently studying with Sanford Meisner.

Goldblum performed in stage productions before making his way to film, garnering small parts in 1970s fare like Death Wish (1974), California Split (1974), Nashville (1975) and Annie Hall (1977). He continued his trade in other big-screen projects like Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) and Threshold (1981), and on TV vehicles like the movie The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (in which he played Ichabod Crane) and the detective TV series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, both from 1980. He later co-starred as a seedy journalist in the acclaimed 1983 drama The Big Chill with Glenn Close, William Hurt and Meg Tilly.

Movies, TV and Stage Work

Geena Davis and ‘The Fly’

Goldblum went on to star with Geena Davis in the horror-comedy Transylvania 6-5000 (1985). The two embarked on a romance, eventually tying the knot in 1987.

The couple again worked together in David Cronenberg’s remake of the horror classic The Fly (1986). Goldblum earned raves for his portrayal of a scientist who undergoes a terrifying bodily and psychological transformation. Davis and Goldblum next co-starred together in the brightly hued extraterrestrial comedy Earth Girls Are Easy (1989). The two divorced in 1990 and remain friends.

‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Independence Day’

Continuing to explore a variety of parts, Goldblum starred in two of the biggest blockbusters of the 1990s. He portrayed yet another scientist, Ian Malcolm, in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993), and reprised the part in the 1997 sequel The Lost World. He dated his Jurassic Park co-star Laura Dern for a time, as well.

In 1996, Goldblum was featured as a world-saving computer whiz in the sci-fi/action film Independence Day, co-starring Will Smith. The film grossed more than $800 million worldwide. (He reprised his role in the film’s 2016 sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence.) During the mid-1990s, Goldblum earned an Academy Award nomination for his work in creating the live-action film short Little Surprises.

Goldblum didn’t continue down the blockbuster path, instead taking on a mix of roles that included indie fare, comedies, voiceover work and thrillers. He co-starred with Susan Sarandon in the critically acclaimed, cynical comedy Igby Goes Down (2002), and portrayed a rival, genteel oceanographer in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004). Other films on his long roster have included Fay Grim (2007), The Switch (2010) and Morning Glory (2010).

‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’

Back on the small screen, Goldblum was nominated for a 2005 Emmy for his guest-starring role on NBC’s Will & Grace and in 2009, he joined the cast of Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Detective Zack Nichols. He is noted for his stage work as well, having performed in works like The Pillowman, Seminar and a London revival of Neil Simon’s The Prisoner of Second Avenue.

‘Thor: Ragnorak’ and ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’

In 2017, Goldblum moved to the Marvel Comics Cinematic Universe, starring in Thor: Ragnorak as The Grandmaster. The following year, he reprised his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park for the latest franchise installment, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and rejoined The Life Aquatic director Wes Anderson to voice a character for Isle of Dogs.

‘The World According to Jeff Goldblum’

In late 2019, Goldblum embarked on a new venture with the Disney+ streaming service to launch The World According to Jeff Goldblum. The documentary series has the actor touring the country to learn about topics that have fascinated him throughout his life, from the process of making sneakers to an exploration of the tattoo community, while showcasing his trademark quirky sense of humor.

Wife and Personal Life

Goldblum married Canadian-born, Olympic rhythmic gymnast Emilie Livingston, 30 years his junior, in 2014. They have two sons: Charlie Ocean (b. 2015) and River Joe (b. 2017).

Goldblum was previously married to fellow Silverado co-star Patricia Gaul (1980-86), as well as his The Fly co-star Davis (1987-90).

Goldblum teaches acting at Playhouse West in Los Angeles — which he co-established in the early 1980s — and is a noted jazz pianist, having performed as a solo artist and with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

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QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1952
• Birth date: October 22, 1952
• Birth State: Pennsylvania
• Birth City: Pittsburgh
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Jeff Goldblum is a film, TV and stage actor known for his roles in work like ‘The Fly,’ ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Igby Goes Down’ and ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent.’
• Industries
• Film
• Television
• Astrological Sign: Libra
• Schools
• Carnegie Mellon University

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CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Jeff Goldblum Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/jeff-goldblum
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: November 13, 2019
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

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QUOTES

• If you go: ‘Play now. Play hard. Play quick,’ your inner actor will go, ‘No, I’m no longer interested.’