Alec Baldwin

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

Birth Name: Alexander Rae Baldwin III

Height: 183 cm

Raven-haired, suavely handsome and prolific actor Alec Baldwin was born on April 3, 1958 in Massapequa, New York, and is the oldest, and easily the 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 is the son of Carol Newcomb (Martineau) and Alexander Rae Baldwin, Jr., who was a high school teacher and football coach. He is of English, Irish, French, Scottish, and German descent.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 Baldwin (aka Hilaria Lynn Thomas), and is rumored to be considering political office. Hide

Remember, sex is like a Chinese dinner. It ain't over 'til you both get your cookie. 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. [on why he named his daughter Ireland] Because she's beautiful but can't manage her finances.

I think I do want to go into politics. I really, really do. And I don't know if I will. You have to Show more 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. Hide

[on The Godfather (1972)] It's like a drug. It takes away your free will. You're going to watch this Show more [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. Hide

Before 30 Rock (2006) I had always given a percentage of my income to charity. I'm not blowing my ho Show more Before 30 Rock (2006) I had always given a percentage of my income to charity. I'm not blowing my horn about it. Most people give, I think. But when I learned that "30 Rock" was going into syndication, I entered into a very lucrative agreement with Capital One, and I gave nearly every dime to charity. That's why I did the commercials. I got addicted to giving the money away. Hide

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

Men are literally lying in bed with their wives when the marriage is essentially over thinking, "I'v Show more 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. Hide

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

[2012 interview] I've had a very average film career. The average career is that 25 per cent of the Show more [2012 interview] 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'. Hide

[after being arrested for cycling his bike the wrong way down Fifth Avenue] New York City is a misma Show more [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. Hide

I'm at the age where, in the Tennessee Williams canon, all that's available is Shannon [in "The Nigh Show more 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. Hide

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

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

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

I just want to say: The worst cases you never hear about. Hollywood studios bury that stuff - actors Show more 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. Hide

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

[on William Holden, the star he most admires] There's three things: there's masculinity, there's int Show more [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. Hide

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

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

[after being arrested for a traffic infraction] New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity Show more [after being arrested for a traffic infraction] New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign. Hide

[2012, on The Hunt for Red October (1990)] I'm glad that people like the film, but it was studio mov Show more [2012, on The Hunt for Red October (1990)] I'm glad that people like the film, but it was studio moviemaking at its most self-conscious. They told me right to my face that Kevin Costner was the person they wanted to play my part, and they couldn't afford him. Most of the people you worked with back then were numbingly frank in that way. Hide

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

[on Chris Farley] Whenever I was watching Chris perform I would think, "How do I get where he's at? Show more [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?". Hide

[on stage acting, as in "Orphans" on Broadway] Rehearsal is painful. Not knowing the lines, not havi Show more [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. Hide

(on Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr.) The comments of some Philippine government officials come as no surpr Show more (on Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr.) 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. Hide

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

You know, Hollywood does draw some very strange characters, and then the power of Hollywood and what Show more 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. Hide

Alec Baldwin's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (326)

MADtv - Season 14

30 Rock - Season 4

The Simpsons - Season 28

The Apprentice - Season 2 (US)

Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - Season 5

Knots Landing - Season 8

Late Night with Seth Meyers - Season 11

Conan - Season 10

Friends - Season 6

The Fairly Oddparents - Season 8