Eric Stoltz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Stoltz
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Stoltz promoting the TV show Caprica in April 2009
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| Born |
Eric Cameron Stoltz
September 30, 1961 Whittier, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Bernadette Moley
(m. 2005) |
| Children | 1 |
Eric Cameron Stoltz (born September 30, 1961) is an American actor, director, and producer. He is famous for his role as Rocky Dennis in the movie Mask (1985). This performance earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award.
Stoltz has acted in many different kinds of movies. He appeared in popular films like Some Kind of Wonderful. He also starred in independent films such as Pulp Fiction and Killing Zoe. For his role in Pulp Fiction, he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.
Later in his career, he played Daniel Graystone in the science fiction TV series Caprica. He also became a regular director for the popular musical TV show Glee.
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Early Life and School
Eric Stoltz was born in Whittier, California. His mother, Evelyn, was a violinist and teacher. His father, Jack, was also a teacher. He grew up with his two sisters in American Samoa and Santa Barbara, California.
As a young man, Stoltz loved music and learned to play the piano. He even wrote music for local theater groups. He went to the University of Southern California to study drama. However, he left before graduating to focus on his acting career. He moved to New York City in 1981 to study with famous acting coaches.
Acting Career
Getting Started in the 1980s
In the 1970s, Stoltz performed in ten plays at the famous Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. He started his film and TV career after returning to the United States. His first movie was Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), where he had a small part.
His big break came in 1985 with the movie Mask. He played Rocky Dennis, a teenager with a rare medical condition. His performance was so good that he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. He also starred in the popular 1987 teen movie Some Kind of Wonderful.
Stoltz was originally chosen to play Marty McFly in the hit movie Back to the Future. However, after five weeks of filming, the director decided to replace him with Michael J. Fox. The director wanted a more comedic style for the character.
Movies, TV, and Stage in the 1990s
During the 1990s, Stoltz worked in movies, television, and theater. He appeared in well-known films like Pulp Fiction (1994) and the adventure movie Anaconda (1997). He also started producing films, including Bodies, Rest & Motion (1993) and Sleep with Me (1994).
He was also a successful stage actor. He performed in many plays in New York City, both on and off-Broadway. For his role in a 1989 revival of the play Our Town, he was nominated for a Tony Award, a top honor in theater.
On television, he had a recurring role on the show Mad About You and was a main character for a year on Chicago Hope.
Career in the 2000s and Beyond
In the 2000s, Stoltz continued to act and began directing more often. He had a recurring role in the TV series Once and Again as an English teacher. He also directed an episode of the show.
He directed an episode of the popular crime show Law & Order in 2005. He also appeared as a guest star in several TV shows, including Will & Grace and Grey's Anatomy. In Grey's Anatomy, he played a dangerous patient who needed medical help.
From 2009 to 2010, he starred as Daniel Graystone in the science fiction series Caprica. The show was a prequel to the popular series Battlestar Galactica.
Directing and Producing
Stoltz has become a successful director, especially for television. He directed 12 episodes of the hit musical series Glee. This included the important "Nationals" episode where the show's singing club finally won the championship.
In 2014, he became a producing director for the CBS political drama Madam Secretary. He later became an executive producer for the show. He also acted in several episodes as the brother of the main character, played by Téa Leoni.
Personal Life
Stoltz dated actress Bridget Fonda for eight years, starting in 1990.
In 2005, he married singer Bernadette Moley. They have one daughter together. Stoltz is a vegetarian.
