Kevin Kline

Kevin Delaney Kline is a prominent American actor with a career spanning over five decades.

He is recognized as a leading man in both theatrical stage productions and motion pictures. His versatility allows him to transition between intense dramatic roles and lighthearted comedic performances. Throughout his career, he has earned prestigious accolades for his craft. These include one Academy Award and three Tony Awards. He has also received multiple nominations for British Academy Film Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. In 2003, his contributions to the stage led to his induction into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

Kline's journey into professional acting began with intensive training and ensemble work. In 1970, he earned a scholarship to the drama division of the Juilliard School in New York. Following his studies, he joined the City Center Acting Company, now known as The Acting Company, in 1972. This group functioned as a repertory theatre troupe, traveling across the United States. They performed classical works, including plays by William Shakespeare, and musicals like The Robber Bridegroom. This period helped establish his reputation in the American theatre scene. He also worked extensively with the New York Shakespeare Festival, performing in various productions of Shakespearean plays.

His success on Broadway is marked by several specific award-winning performances. In 1978, he won his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in On the Twentieth Century. He followed this in 1981 with a win for Best Actor in a Musical for playing the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance.

This role was also performed in a 1983 film version of the musical. Later, in 2017, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for the revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter. His stage work is so highly regarded that a theater critic once called him "the American Olivier."

Kline's transition to film brought him international stardom and a wide range of characters. He made his film debut in 1982 in the drama Sophie's Choice, playing the character Nathan. This role earned him a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year and a BAFTA nomination for Most Outstanding Newcomer. His most famous comedic success came in 1988 with the film A Fish Called Wanda. For his performance as an inept ex-CIA thug, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

This film was later ranked 21st on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest laughs.

Beyond live-action films, Kline has expanded his skills into voice acting for animation. He provided the voice for Captain Phoebus in the 1996 Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He also voiced the character Tulio in the adventure comedy The Road to El Dorado in 2000. His television work includes early roles in the soap opera Search for Tomorrow and more recent appearances in miniseries like Disclaimer. Since 2011, he has also contributed to the animated sitcom Bob's Burgers by voicing the character Calvin Fischoeder. This demonstrates his ability to use his voice as a distinct tool for character building.

His early life in Missouri provided a foundation for his interest in the arts. Born on October 24, 1947, in St. Louis, he grew up in a family with strong connections to music and performance. His father, Robert Joseph Kline, owned The Record Bar, a record store that opened in 1942. His mother, Margaret Agnes Kirk, was described as a dramatic theatrical character. Kline attended the Saint Louis Priory School and later Indiana University Bloomington. Although he initially studied music composition and conducting, he switched to a theater and speech major. He graduated from university in 1970, driven by a deep passion for the theater.

Kline's career is characterized by a massive volume of work across different media. He has appeared in films ranging from the western Silverado to the political comedy Dave. He has shared the screen with many notable actors, such as Meryl Streep, Will Smith, and Glenn Close. Even in large-scale productions like the 1999 film Wild Wild West, which grossed over $222 million worldwide, his presence remained a key element. His ability to navigate different genres—from the steampunk elements of westerns to the musicality of biopics like De-Lovely—highlights his enduring relevance in the entertainment industry.