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John Krasinski
John Krasinski 2022.jpg
Krasinski in 2022
Born
John Burke Krasinski

(1979-10-20) October 20, 1979 (age 45)
Alma mater Brown University (BA)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • film director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Years active 2000–present
Works
Filmography
Spouse(s)
(m. 2010)
Children 2
Awards Full list

John Krasinski (born October 20, 1979) is a famous American actor and filmmaker. You might know him best as Jim Halpert from the TV show The Office. He also helped produce and direct some episodes of that show.

John is also known for directing, writing, and starring in the scary movie A Quiet Place (2018). This movie was so popular that Time magazine named him one of the 100 most important people in the world. He later wrote and directed the sequel, A Quiet Place Part II (2020).

He studied theater at Brown University. John has been in many movies like License to Wed (2007) and 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016). From 2018 to 2023, he played the main character in the TV series Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime Video. He was also a producer for this show.

John Krasinski has also lent his voice to animated movies like Monsters University (2013). In 2013, he started his own production company called Sunday Night Productions. He helped create the fun reality show Lip Sync Battle (2015–2019). He is married to the English actress Emily Blunt, and they have two daughters.

Early Life and Education

John Burke Krasinski was born on October 20, 1979. He grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, near Boston. He is the youngest of three boys. His mother, Mary Clare, was a nurse, and his father, Ronald, was a doctor. His family has Irish and Polish roots, and he was raised Catholic.

John first acted on stage in sixth grade. He played Daddy Warbucks in a school play called Annie. In high school, he acted in a play written by his future The Office co-star, B. J. Novak. John and B.J. both graduated from Newton South High School in 1997.

Before college, John taught English in Costa Rica for six months. While there, he saved a woman from drowning. She was caught in a rip tide at a beach. John said his mother, who was a lifeguard, taught him how to swim safely. He then went to Brown University. He studied English and playwriting there, graduating in 2001. At Brown, he was part of a comedy group called Out of Bounds.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in the Early 2000s

In 2000, John Krasinski worked as a scriptwriter intern. This was for the TV show Late Night with Conan O'Brien. After college, he moved to New York to become an actor. He appeared in commercials and had small roles on TV shows. He also acted in plays while working as a waiter.

Breakthrough with The Office

Jim and Pam (3817592239) (cropped)
Krasinski with The Office co-star Jenna Fischer in 2009

John's big break came in 2004. He was cast in the NBC sitcom The Office. This show was a remake of a popular British TV series. It was a mockumentary about people working at a paper company. John played Jim Halpert, a smart and friendly sales representative. Later, Jim became a co-manager at Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Jim and Jenna Fischer's character, Pam, were a central couple on the show.

To get ready for his role, John visited Scranton. He interviewed real paper company employees. He even filmed the footage of Scranton used in the show's opening credits. He was in every episode of The Office (2005–2013). He also directed several episodes, including "Sabre".

Johnkrasinski06
Krasinski in 2006

In 2007, John starred in the romantic comedy License to Wed. He was in it with Mandy Moore and Robin Williams. Even though critics didn't love the movie, it made a lot of money. He also had guest roles in shows like Law & Order: Criminal Intent and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He appeared in movies such as Jarhead and The Holiday.

In 2008, John acted with Renée Zellweger and George Clooney in Leatherheads. This was a comedy about early American football. Critics praised his acting, saying he could show both warmth and intelligence.

Directing and Other Film Roles

John Krasinski and Josh Wood (cropped)
Krasinski in 2009

In 2009, John Krasinski directed his first movie, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. He also wrote the script and had a small role. The movie got mostly good reviews. That same year, he starred in the comedy-drama Away We Go with Maya Rudolph. He also joined a big cast in the romantic comedy It's Complicated. This movie made over $219 million worldwide.

In 2011, John was in the romantic comedy Something Borrowed. His acting was highly praised, even though the movie got mixed reviews. He was also considered for the role of Captain America in the superhero movie Captain America: The First Avenger.

John Krasinski at the premiere of Looper, Toronto Film Festival 2012 (8001823960)
Krasinski at the Toronto Film Festival 2012

In 2012, John starred in Big Miracle, a drama about rescuing whales. He also played a sound designer in the independent drama Nobody Walks. Critics liked his performance in this film. Later, he starred in, produced, and co-wrote Promised Land with Matt Damon. John came up with the idea for this movie.

In 2013, John started his production company, Sunday Night Productions. With this company, he became an executive producer for the show Lip Sync Battle. This show became very popular.

In 2016, John starred in the war film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. He trained hard and gained muscle for his role as a former US Navy SEAL. That same year, he directed and starred in the comedy-drama The Hollars. Critics praised his work on this film. He also acted in an Off-Broadway play called Dry Powder. His performance earned him an award.

A Quiet Place and Recent Work

In 2018, John Krasinski directed and co-wrote A Quiet Place. This was a horror movie where he also starred with his wife, Emily Blunt. The movie was a huge success, making over $340 million worldwide. Its success led to a film series.

John also produces and stars in the TV series Jack Ryan. He is the fifth actor to play this character. The show started in 2018 and was renewed for a second season even before it aired.

In March 2020, John started a web series on YouTube called Some Good News (SGN). He created it during the COVID-19 pandemic to share positive stories. Many celebrities, including Steve Carell and Oprah Winfrey, appeared on the show. He even hosted a virtual prom for high school students. The series had over 72 million views.

In January 2021, John hosted Saturday Night Live. He also directed and wrote the sequel, A Quiet Place Part II. This movie was delayed due to the pandemic but was released in May 2021. It was also a box office hit and received positive reviews.

In May 2022, John made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He appeared as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In June 2022, he voiced Superman in the animated movie DC League of Super-Pets. He is also working on a fantasy comedy film called IF, which he is writing, directing, and starring in.

Personal Life

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Krasinski with his wife Emily Blunt at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards

John Krasinski started dating English actress Emily Blunt in November 2008. They got engaged in August 2009 and married on July 10, 2010, in Italy. They have two daughters together.

John is a big fan of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. He has even appeared in commercials related to baseball, playing on the rivalry between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees.

Filmography and Awards

Helping Others

John Krasinski has used his fame to help many people.

Some Good Merch

In May 2020, John launched "Some Good Merch." This online store sold items like shirts and mugs. The money raised went to different charities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans even sent in artwork for the merchandise. All profits went to charities chosen by the buyer. The Starbucks Foundation also promised to match donations up to one million dollars. The store raised almost $500,000 in one month and over $2 million by 2021. Donations helped organizations like World Central Kitchen and the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. Money also went to provide masks and medical supplies to the Navajo Nation.

In June 2020, "Some Good Merch" added options to donate to Black Lives Matter and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. These groups work to fight racial injustice. Donations also helped the Boys & Girls Clubs of America create new learning programs.

Fundraising Efforts

For his 40th birthday in October 2019, John started a fundraiser for Family Reach. This group helps families dealing with cancer pay for treatment. He asked people to donate money, and the campaign raised over $500,000. John and his wife continue to support this organization.

In 2018, John and Emily also raised money for the Malala Fund. This fund supports education rights for girls and women. During 2020, John's Some Good News show also created many ways to donate. For example, AT&T gave three months of free phone service to nurses and doctors. FedEx also promised to donate $5 million to Toys for Tots for the holidays.

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