Keir Dullea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keir Dullea
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Dullea in Kraft Mystery Theatre's "Cry Ruin" (1962)
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Keir Atwood Dullea
May 30, 1936 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960–present |
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Keir Atwood Dullea (born May 30, 1936) is an American actor famous for playing astronaut David Bowman in the classic science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey. He played the same character again in the sequel, 2010: The Year We Make Contact.
Throughout his long career, Dullea has starred in many movies, including David and Lisa (1962), Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965), and the holiday horror film Black Christmas (1974). He studied acting in New York City and has performed in many plays. Dullea has said that even though he is famous for his movies, he enjoys acting on stage the most.
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Early Life and Education
Keir Atwood Dullea was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, where his parents owned a bookstore.
After graduating from George School in Pennsylvania, he went to Rutgers University and San Francisco State University. He then decided to become an actor and studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York.
Acting Career
Starting in Film and Television
Dullea began his acting career in 1960 on television. He appeared in TV movies like Mrs. Miniver and shows such as Route 66. His first movie was Hoodlum Priest in 1961.
His big break came in 1962 with the movie David and Lisa. He played a teenager dealing with mental health challenges. The film was a surprise hit, and Dullea became a well-known actor. For his role, he won a Golden Globe Award for "Most Promising Newcomer."
He continued to act in TV shows and movies, including Mail Order Bride (1964) and The Thin Red Line (1964). To avoid being seen as only playing troubled young men, he took on different kinds of roles. In 1965, he acted in Bunny Lake Is Missing with famous actors like Laurence Olivier and Noël Coward.
Becoming a Sci-Fi Icon
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In 1968, Dullea starred as astronaut David Bowman in Stanley Kubrick's science fiction movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. The film was a huge success and is now considered one of the greatest movies ever made.
Dullea's famous line from the movie, "Open the pod bay doors please, HAL," is one of the most well-known quotes in film history. The role of David Bowman made him a star around the world.
After 2001, Dullea starred in the 1969 film De Sade. He also found great success on Broadway in the comedy play Butterflies Are Free. The play was very popular and ran for over 1,000 performances.
Work in the 1970s and 1980s
In the 1970s, Dullea lived in London for a while and acted in several TV movies. He also worked in Canada, where he starred in the film Paperback Hero (1973) and the TV series The Starlost (1973).
One of his most memorable roles from this time was in the 1974 horror movie Black Christmas, which later became a cult classic. He also returned to Broadway to star in a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams.
In 1984, he returned to his most famous role, playing David Bowman again in 2010: The Year We Make Contact, the sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Later Career and Stage Work
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Dullea focused more on theater, which he has always loved. He said in an interview that he made a choice to work more on stage than in movies. He co-founded the Theater Artists Workshop of Westport in 1983.
He continued to appear in films and on television. He played a U.S. Senator in the 2006 film The Good Shepherd and had roles in TV shows like Law & Order and Castle.
More recently, he appeared in the TV series The Path and the Paramount+ series Halo as Fleet Admiral Hood. In 2023, he provided his voice for the video game Starfield.
Personal Life
Keir Dullea has been married four times. He was married to Margot Bennett from 1960 to 1968, and to Susan Lessons from 1969 to 1970.
In 1972, he married Susie Fuller. They were married for 26 years until she passed away in 1998. Since 1999, Dullea has been married to actress Mia Dillon. They live together in New York and Connecticut.
Awards and Nominations
- Golden Globe Awards
- 1962: Won, "Most Promising Male Newcomer"
- BAFTA Awards
- 1964: Nominated, "Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles" for David and Lisa
- San Francisco International Film Festival
- 1962: Won, "Best Actor" for David and Lisa
See also
In Spanish: Keir Dullea para niños
