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David Strathairn Biography

Birth Name:David Russell Strathairn

Birth Place:San Francisco, California, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Won the Maverick Tribute Award at the 2002 Cinequest San Jose Film Festival
  • Before making his screen debut, he studied clowning in Venice, Florida, at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College
  • Quote: "Television and film are our libraries now․ Our history books․"
  • Often portrays characters who are involved with government secrets
  • Is widely regarded as a character actor for his ability to take on eccentric roles
  • Provided the narration for the introductory video of Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
  • While attending Williams College, he was a classmate of future director John Sayles

Awards

  • 1988Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 1992Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: winner
  • 1993Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 1993Bronze Wrangler-Television Feature Film: winner
  • 1997CableACE-Guest Actor in a Dramatic Special or Series: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 2000Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2005ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2005ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2005DVDX Award-Best Supporting Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie): nominated
  • 2005DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2005Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
  • 2005SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2005Volpi Cup-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005VVFP Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2005WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2005WFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006Movies for Grownups Award-Breakaway Accomplishment: winner
  • 2006Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2006BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2006CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2006IOMA-Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista): nominated
  • 2006OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2007ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2009Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 2010Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2011Bronze Wrangler-Television Feature Film: winner
  • 2012ACCA TV-Best Supporting Actor (TV Movie or Mini-Series): nominated
  • 2012ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2012BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2012NFCS Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2012OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2012SEFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2013COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2013Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2020CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021NDFS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021SFBAFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated