Biography
Who is John Malkovich?
Early life and education
John Malkovich was born in Christopher, Illinois, on December 9, 1953, and grew up in nearby Benton. His father, Daniel Leon Malkovich, worked as a state conservation director and published a magazine called Outdoor Illinois. His mother, Joe Anne, owned the Benton Evening News daily newspaper. He grew up alongside his older brother Danny and three younger sisters named Amanda, Rebecca, and Melissa.
During his school years, John attended Logan Grade School, Webster Junior High School, and Benton Consolidated High School. He participated in local theatrical productions and a folk gospel group. After finishing high school in 1972, he enrolled at Eastern Illinois University and later transferred to Illinois State University to study theater before eventually dropping out. He also received acting instruction at the William Esper Studio.
Stage career and breakthrough
In 1976, John joined forces with other artists to become a charter member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company located in Chicago. He later moved to New York City to appear in a Steppenwolf production of the Sam Shepard play True West in 1982. He made his official Broadway debut as Biff in a revival of the Arthur Miller play Death of a Salesman in 1984, performing alongside Dustin Hoffman.
He reprised his role as Biff in a television film adaptation the following year, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. His extensive stage portfolio includes directing a revival of Lanford Wilson's Balm in Gilead and performing in Lanford Wilson's play Burn This, which later transferred to the West End.
Film and television highlights
John made his feature film debut as a blind boarder named Mr. Will in the 1984 drama Places in the Heart, earning his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He received a second Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of an assassin in the political thriller In the Line of Fire in 1993. His extensive filmography features appearances in The Killing Fields, Empire of the Sun, Dangerous Liaisons, Of Mice and Men, Con Air, Rounders, and Being John Malkovich.
On television, he earned Emmy nominations for portraying Herman J. Mankiewicz in RKO 281 and Charles Talleyrand in the historical miniseries Napoléon. He also portrayed the titular character in the HBO miniseries The New Pope in 2020. In addition to acting, he has served as a film producer for projects such as Ghost World, Juno, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Birthday and age
John Malkovich was born on December 9, 1953, which makes John 72 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. John shares the date with 25 other famous people.
Explore more
