Frederic Forrest Biography

Fast Facts

• Attended Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas
• While his parents did not condone his aspirations to become an actor, he eventually graduated from TCU with a degree in television studies and moved to New York City to study under Lee Strasberg
• Quote: "It's a continual problem when you don't have the lead․ There is always the possibility you will get cut․ You have no control․"
• Best known for his role in 1979's "Apocalypse Now" and later "The Rose", a role that would land him an Oscar nomination as a supporting actor
• Made his off-Broadway debut after initially moving to New York and would eventually break into features with several small, low budget films in the late 1960s
• Collects James Dean memorabilia and hats
• Shares the same home town, Waxahachie, Texas, as director and producer Robert Benton
• Supported himself while studying at the Actor's Studio by working as a page for NBC Studios in Rockefeller Plaza