Birth name: John Paul Cusack
Date of birth: June 28, 1966
Astrological sign: Cancer
Place of birth: Evanston, Illinois
Height: 6' 2½" (1.89 m)
Eye Colour: Brown
Hair Colour: Black
Parents: Nancy (a former math teacher) and Richard (actor, documentory filmmaker, owner of film production company. Appeared in The Fugitive in 1993)
Siblings: Joan, Ann, Bill, and Susie
Born in Evanston, Illinois, USA on June 26, 1966, John Cusack is the son of an Irish Catholic family. The fourth child in the Cusack clan, John's entire family bursts with talent. His father Richard is an actor and a documentary film maker. His mother Nancy is a teacher. He has four siblings (all actors, as well) - Joan Cusack, Ann Cusack, Bill Cusack, and Susie Cusack. John Cusack knew early on that he wanted to go into show business. At the age of 8, he joined the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston, Illinois which produces many of Chicago's theatre stars. By the time Cusack turned twelve, he was a veteran in the business with a string of industory films, acted radio spots and commercial voice overs under his belt. Then, at the age of 17, Cusack got his first big break in the teen sex comedy Class.
During the eighties, Cusack acted in many memorable films like Sixteen Candles, Better Off Dead, The Sure Thing, The Journey of Natty Gann, and of course Cameron Crowe's classic eighties movie, Say Anything. Cusack remarked that the character he played in Say Anything (Lloyd Dobler) was the most like himself of all the characters he had ever played. He also had small parts in Stand By Me and Broadcast News.
After Say Anything, Cusack started to receive offers for better roles. His first major adult role came in Martin Scorsese's gritty film The Grifters. Both Cusack's co-stars Angelica Huston and Annette Benning received Oscar nominations. Though Cusack did not get nominated, he still received rave reviews from the critics. Next, Cusack appeared in True Colors with James Spader, a film about friendship and betrayal and he appeared in a cameo role in The Player. Money for Nothing came out in 1993, which had the potential to be a great film. However, outraged because of the edits the director had make, Cusack disowned the film about viewing the final cut.
In 1994, Cusack won the lead in Bullets Over Broadway, Woody Allen's hilarious film. In 1996 he co-starred with Al Pacino in City Hall. Grosse Pointe Blank was another turning point for Cusack. Critically acclaimed and darkly funny, he also co-wrote, starred and co-produced it.
John Cusack's talent and smart career moves shows that he is one of the most gifted actors in Hollywood.
Vintage Vinyl, another record store mentioned in High Fidelity, is a real store in Evanston, his hometown.
He was considered for the role of John Bender in The Breakfast Club.
Is the product of a passionately liberal Irish Catholic family, visited the radical Berrigan brothers when he was growing up, and, like them, his mother still gets arrested for her anti-militarism and pro-human rights protests.
In Say Anything (1989), When Lloyd (Cusack) drives along 45th street in Seattle, he passes the Guild 45th Theatre, which is showing Tapeheads (1988), in which Cusack also appeared.
Tested for the role of Madmartigan in Willow but lost to Val Kilmer.
The Cusack family received an award in Chicago for their outstanding contribution to film-making.
Is the subject of the song "Honorable Mention" by the band Fall Out Boy.
On his free time, he enjoys 'helicopter snowboarding' and kickboxing with stunt cordinator Benny Urquidez.
Was originally set to play Walter Eberhart in the The Stepford Wives(2004). Due to conflicts, he had to drop out and Matthew Broderick got the role.
Turned down Patrick Bergin's role in Sleeping With The Enemy.
His best friend is actor Jeremy Piven. To date, they have co-starred in 10 movies together! They were also former roomates.
Attended a theatre school in Chicago (Piven Theatre Workshop) with sisters Joan Ann Cusack. The theatre school was run by the parents of his best friend, Jeremy Piven.
Attended Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois.
Turned down Woody Harrelson's role in Indecent Proposal.
When John was 12, he was taken to see the X-rated Apocalypse Now. He described the experience as 'like having the back of my head blown off.'
Turned down Bill Paxton's role in Apollo 13.
John Cusack
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