Kevin Kline

Biography

Kevin Delaney Kline, born October 24, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American actor whose career spans stage, film, voice work, and television. He studied music early, attending Indiana University, then went on to the Juilliard School where he honed his craft. In 1972 he joined The Acting Company, performing a mix of classical and contemporary theater across the United States. He earned his first Tony Award in 1978 for On the Twentieth Century and another in 1981 for The Pirates of Penzance. Kline made his movie debut in Sophie’s Choice (1982) and broke out with A Fish Called Wanda (1988), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Over the years his film roles have ranged from intense dramas to comedies and voice-overs, including The Big Chill, Dave, Silverado, The Road to El Dorado, The Emperor’s Club, Beauty and the Beast, and Bob’s Burgers. On stage, in 2017 he won a Tony for Best Actor in a Play with Present Laughter. He has also been honored by the American Theatre Hall of Fame. Known both for dramatic intensity and comic timing, Kline’s work has made him one of the most versatile actors of his generation.