John Cusack facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Cusack
Cusack in 2014
Born	John Paul Cusack (1966-06-28) June 28, 1966 (age 58) Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actor producer screenwriter
Years active	1983–present
Parent(s)	Dick Cusack (father)
Relatives	Ann Cusack (sister) Joan Cusack (sister) Jim Piddock (brother-in-law)

John Paul Cusack (born June 28, 1966) is an American actor. He started acting in movies in the 1980s. He became known for films about growing up. Some of these movies include Sixteen Candles (1984) and Say Anything... (1989).

In the 1990s, John Cusack began acting in independent films. He also took on lead roles in many popular movies. These included Con Air (1997) and Being John Malkovich (1999). He was nominated for a Golden Globe award for his role in High Fidelity (2000). In 2012, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also won an award in 2014 for his acting in Maps to the Stars. John Cusack is the son of filmmaker Dick Cusack. His older sisters, Joan Cusack and Ann Cusack, are also actors.

Early Life

John Cusack was born in Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in an Irish Catholic family. His father, Richard J. "Dick" Cusack, was a writer, actor, and producer. His mother, Ann Paula "Nancy" Cusack, was a math teacher. John's older sisters, Ann and Joan, are well-known actors. He also has two other siblings, Bill and Susie.

The Cusack family moved from New York to Illinois. John graduated from Evanston Township High School in 1984. He then spent a year at New York University. He decided to leave college to focus on his acting career.

Acting Career

Starting Out in the 1980s

John Cusack began his acting career in the early 1980s. He had small parts in movies like Class (1983). He also appeared in Sixteen Candles (1984). His co-star, Jamie Lee Curtis, even gave him his first car.

At 16, Cusack had a big role in The Sure Thing (1985). This teen comedy was praised by critics. He then starred in the dark comedy Better Off Dead (1985). He also worked with director Savage Steve Holland on One Crazy Summer (1986).

Cusack had a brief role in Stand by Me (1986). This film was based on a story by Stephen King. In 1988, he starred in Eight Men Out. This movie was about a famous baseball scandal. He also appeared in the comedy Tapeheads (1988).

In the late 1980s, Cusack starred in Say Anything... (1989). This was the first movie directed by Cameron Crowe. Cusack played Lloyd Dobler, a character who falls in love. He became famous for a scene where he holds a boombox over his head. This scene has become a big part of pop culture.

Success in the 1990s

In the 1990s, Cusack played a con artist in The Grifters (1990). He also appeared in other independent films. These included True Colors (1991). The role of Lance in Pulp Fiction (1994) was first written for Cusack. However, the part went to another actor.

Cusack in Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Cusack helped write the movie Grosse Pointe Blank (1997). He also starred in it as a hitman. In the same year, he was in Con Air (1997) with Nicolas Cage. He also voiced the character Dimitri in the animated movie Anastasia (1997).

In 1999, Cusack starred in Being John Malkovich. In this fantasy film, he played a puppeteer. His character finds a secret tunnel into the mind of actor John Malkovich. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards.

Movies in the 2000s

Cusack was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in High Fidelity (2000). He played Rob, a record store owner. He also appeared in several romantic comedies. These included America's Sweethearts (2001) and Serendipity (2001).

He also starred in many thriller films. Some of these were Identity (2003) and Runaway Jury (2003). He also appeared in 1408 (2007). This horror film was based on a story by Stephen King. It is now seen as a great horror movie.

In 2009, Cusack starred in the disaster film 2012. He played Jackson Curtis, a writer trying to save his family. Throughout his career, Cusack often plays characters who are writers.

From 2010 to Today

Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven (2012)

In the 2010s, Cusack starred in and produced Hot Tub Time Machine (2010). He did not appear in the sequel.

In 2012, Cusack played Edgar Allan Poe in the movie The Raven. He worked hard to understand Poe's character. He also played Richard Nixon in The Butler (2013). The director, Lee Daniels, praised Cusack's acting.

In 2014, Cusack appeared in Love & Mercy. He played an older Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys. He worked closely with Wilson for the role. He also won an award for his role in Maps to the Stars (2014). This time was a new high point in his career.

Later, Cusack starred in many films released directly to video. In 2020, he starred in his first TV series, Utopia. He has mentioned that it has become harder to get movies made recently.

Political Views

Cusack at Huffington Post Pre-Inaugural Party in January 2009

John Cusack is known for his strong political views. He is against war. He has said that being against war means you support troops and people. From 2005 to 2009, he wrote blogs for The Huffington Post. He spoke out against the Iraq War. He also criticized the government at that time.

Cusack also criticized the Obama administration. He disagreed with their drone policy. He also supported the Freedom of the Press Foundation. In 2015, he met Edward Snowden in Moscow. Snowden had shared secret information about government surveillance. This meeting led to a book that Cusack helped write.

Cusack supported Bernie Sanders in his presidential campaigns. He is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. In May 2020, Cusack was at a George Floyd protest in Chicago. He reported being attacked by police during the protest.

He has said that he feels it is important to speak out against injustice. He believes it helps him sleep better at night. He doesn't want to be quiet when important things are happening.

Views on Israel and Palestine

Cusack has been very open about his views on the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. He criticized Israel's actions in the 2014 Gaza War. He shared articles that supported Gaza. He also signed a letter supporting singer Lorde when she canceled a show in Israel. This was in response to a request from the BDS movement.

After the conflict in Gaza started in October 2023, Cusack signed another letter. This letter asked Joe Biden to help create a ceasefire. He has continued to speak out in support of Palestinians.

Personal Life

John Cusack has trained in kickboxing for over 20 years. He trained under former world champion Benny Urquidez. He started training for his role in Say Anything.... He holds a high rank in Urquidez's kickboxing system.

In 2008, a woman was arrested for stalking Cusack. She was ordered to stay away from him for 10 years.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: John Cusack para niños