Richard Dreyfuss facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Dreyfuss
Dreyfuss in 2023
Born	Richard Stephen Dreyfus (1947-10-29) October 29, 1947 (age 77) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Education	San Fernando Valley State College St Antony's College, Oxford
Occupation	Actor producer
Years active	1964–present
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Jeramie Rain ​ ​ (m. 1983; div. 1995)​ Janelle Lacey ​ ​ (m. 1999; div. 2005)​ Svetlana Erokhin ​ (m. 2006)​
Children	3
Relatives	Lorin Dreyfuss (brother) Natalie Dreyfuss (niece)
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Richard Stephen Dreyfuss (born October 29, 1947) is a famous American actor. He became well-known in the 1970s, starring in many popular movies. He has won important awards like an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe Award.

Dreyfuss became famous for his roles in movies like American Graffiti (1973), Jaws (1975), and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the romantic comedy The Goodbye Girl (1977). He was also nominated for an Oscar for his part in Mr. Holland's Opus (1995). His other well-known films include Stand by Me (1986), What About Bob? (1991), and The American President (1995).

On television, Dreyfuss played the main character in the CBS show The Education of Max Bickford (2001–2002). He also appeared in TV movies, playing Fagin in Oliver Twist (1997) and Bernie Madoff in the miniseries Madoff (2016).

Early Life and Education

Richard Dreyfuss was born on October 29, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Norman, was an attorney and business owner. His mother, Geraldine, was a peace activist. Richard is the second of three children. His older brother, Lorin Dreyfuss, was also an actor and writer.

Richard grew up in the Bayside area of Queens, New York. His family is Jewish, with roots in Russia and Poland. When he was nine, his family moved to Los Angeles. He went to Beverly Hills High School.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out: 1964–1974

Dreyfuss (left) and producer Allan Carr at the Governor's Ball after the 1989 Academy Awards

Richard Dreyfuss started acting when he was young. He performed in plays at community centers. At age fifteen, he appeared in the TV show In Mama's House. He attended California State University, Northridge for a year.

During the Vietnam War, he worked at a Los Angeles hospital instead of serving in the military. At this time, he had small roles in many TV shows. These included Peyton Place, Gidget, and Gunsmoke. He also acted on stage in New York.

Dreyfuss had a small, uncredited role in the movie The Graduate (1967). His first big film role was in the 1973 hit American Graffiti, directed by George Lucas. He then played his first main role in the Canadian film The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974). Critics praised his performance.

Becoming a Star: 1975–1995

Dreyfuss became a major star in the 1970s. He starred in two blockbuster movies directed by Steven Spielberg: Jaws (1975) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). These movies were huge successes.

In 1978, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Goodbye Girl. He was the youngest actor to win this award at the time, at 30 years old. This record was later broken in 2003.

After a break, Dreyfuss made a strong comeback in the mid-1980s. He starred in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) and Stakeout (1987). He also played the older Gordie Lachance in the popular movie Stand by Me (1986).

In 1989, he worked with Steven Spielberg again in the movie Always. He also starred with Bill Murray in the funny movie What About Bob? (1991). In 1994, Dreyfuss took part in a special concert at the Vatican. He recited a prayer as part of a musical performance.

He received his second Oscar nomination for his role in Mr. Holland's Opus (1995). In this film, he played a music teacher who inspires his students.

Later Career: 1996–Present

Dreyfuss in 1997

In 1997, Dreyfuss did a voiceover for the Apple Computer "Think Different" ad campaign. He also narrated The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon. In 1999, he performed in a play in London's West End.

From 2004 to 2008, Dreyfuss was a research adviser at St Antony's College, Oxford. In 2006, he appeared in the film Poseidon. He played U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney in the 2008 movie W.

Dreyfuss at Italy Lifetime Achievement Awards (2021)

In 2009, he acted in a play called Complicit in London. He also made guest appearances on the TV shows Family Guy and Weeds. In 2010, he was in the movie Piranha 3D.

Richard Dreyfuss received a "star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. In 2014, he hosted a documentary about Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. He played Bernie Madoff in the miniseries Madoff (2016). More recently, he appeared in the comedy Book Club (2018) and the Netflix movie The Last Laugh (2019).

Personal Life

Family Life

Richard Dreyfuss married writer and producer Jeramie Rain in the early 1980s. They had three children together. They divorced in 1995. He then married Janelle Lacey in 1999, and they divorced in 2005. In 2006, Dreyfuss married Svetlana Erokhin. They live in the San Diego area.

Interests and Advocacy

Dreyfuss is very interested in bringing back civics education in schools. Civics teaches young people about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. In 2006, he started The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative (TDCI). This organization works to help students learn about how America's government works.

He has spoken at events to encourage national discussions about important topics. In 2007, he appeared in a documentary called 18 in '08, which encouraged young people to vote.

In 1995, Dreyfuss co-wrote a science-fiction book called The Two Georges. In 2022, he wrote a book about teaching civics in American schools.

Awards and Recognition

Richard Dreyfuss has won many awards for his acting. Here are some of his major achievements:

See also

In Spanish: Richard Dreyfuss para niños