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Vince Vaughn
Vince Vaughn in Los Angeles, California (2015) - 1.jpg
Vaughn in 2015
Born
Vincent Anthony Vaughn

(1970-03-28) March 28, 1970 (age 55)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • producer
  • writer
Years active 1988–present
Spouse(s)
Kyla Weber
(m. 2010)
Children 2

Vincent Anthony Vaughn (born March 28, 1970) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for starring as a leading man in numerous comedy films during the late 1990s and 2000s. He was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Saturn Award.

Vaughn made his acting debut in the sports drama film Rudy (1993). He had his career breakthrough with the comedy Swingers (1996). He starred in a string of successful comedy films such as Old School (2003), Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004), Wedding Crashers (2005), The Break-Up (2006), Fred Claus (2007), Four Christmases (2008), Couples Retreat (2009), The Dilemma (2011), The Internship (2013), and Delivery Man (2013).

He is also known for his dramatic roles playing Nick Van Owen in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), and Norman Bates in Psycho (1998). He acted in other drama films such as The Locusts (1997), Return to Paradise (1998), The Cell (2000), South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000), Domestic Disturbance (2001), Hacksaw Ridge (2016), Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017), Dragged Across Concrete (2018), and Freaky (2020).

On television, he starred as career criminal Frank Semyon in the second season of the HBO anthology crime drama television series True Detective (2015), and as a detective turned restaurant inspector in the Apple TV+ drama series Bad Monkey (2024). He also took recurring roles in the animated Netflix sitcom F Is for Family (2018), and in the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm (2020–2024).

Early life

Vaughn was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to a wealthy family. His mother, Sharon Eileen (née DePalmo; born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada), is a real estate agent and stockbroker who was once ranked as one of the United States' top money managers by Bloomberg Wealth Manager magazine. His father, Vernon Lindsay Vaughn, worked as a salesman for a toy company. As a child, he was raised both Protestant and Catholic by his Catholic mother and Protestant father. He has Italian, Irish, English, Lebanese and German ancestry.

Vaughn grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, where he played football and baseball and wrestled, although he has called himself "unathletic" and "very average" at high school sports. He then moved to Lake Forest, where he graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1988. He was introduced to musical theater at a young age and decided to become an actor in 1987. He has credited his mother as the inspiration behind his career, saying that "I saw her overcome stuff, and I thought if you worked hard at something you'd give yourself a chance".

Career

1988–2002: Career beginnings

Vince Vaughn
Vaughn in 2006

In 1988, Vaughn was cast in a Chevrolet commercial and subsequently moved to Hollywood. He appeared in the 1989 season of the television series China Beach and in three CBS Schoolbreak Specials in 1990. His first film role was 1993's Rudy as Notre Dame football tailback Jamie O'Hara. He struck up a friendship with Jon Favreau, who was also a first-time actor. Two years later, he was cast in a lead role in a proposed revival of 77 Sunset Strip that was to air on the fledgling WB Television Network, but the project ceased development after initial testing. Vaughn did not gain wider success until his role in 1996's Swingers with Favreau.

Afterward, Steven Spielberg cast Vaughn as Nick Van Owen in the 1997 blockbuster The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which gave him increased exposure. He followed that up with the lead role in The Locusts the same year. In 1998, he starred in the critically acclaimed drama Return to Paradise with Anne Heche, and starred in Clay Pigeons with Janeane Garofalo and Joaquin Phoenix. In 2000, he starred in The Cell with Jennifer Lopez and in 2001, appeared in Made, another film penned by Favreau. Vaughn also appeared in Dwight Yoakam's directorial debut, South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000). He also starred with John Travolta in the thriller Domestic Disturbance (2001).

2003–2014: Comedic stardom

Vaughn's performance in the 2003 comedy Old School increased his popularity establishing him as a leading man in comedic films. Vaughn starred opposite Will Ferrell and Luke Wilson. The film was a commercial and critical success. In 2004, Vaughn appeared alongside Ben Stiller in the buddy cop action-comedy Starsky & Hutch and the sports comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Both films were commercial hits. Film critic Rob Mackie of The Guardian compared the satirical nature within the film Dodgeball to that of the Rob Reiner directed comedy film This Is Spinal Tap (1984) and added that the film "stays consistently funny".

After this series of roles, he was dubbed one of the Hollywood "Frat Pack", alongside Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson. The name refers to the group of actors who frequently co-star in film comedies. He appeared in 2005's independent film Thumbsucker, crime-comedy film Be Cool, and action-comedy film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Also in 2005, Vaughn starred alongside Owen Wilson in Wedding Crashers, which grossed over $200 million at the U.S. box office. The film also starred Rachel McAdams, Bradley Cooper, Isla Fisher, and Christopher Walken. Critics J.R. Jones of The Chicago Reader praised both Vaughn and Wilson on their chemistry describing them as "enormously funny" adding the film is a "rich send-ups of wedding culture".

In 2006, Vaughn starred the comedy-drama The Break-Up opposite Jennifer Aniston. Rosie Wash of The Guardian wrote that the film, "subverts the love-conquers-all formula of traditional rom-com to arrive at the more satisfying conclusion". In 2007, Vaughn starred in the Christmas comedy film Fred Claus as a sarcastic, wild-at-heart older brother of Santa Claus (Paul Giamatti). The film was directed by David Dobkin, who had directed Vaughn in Wedding Crashers, and co-starred Elizabeth Banks and Kevin Spacey. Next, he moved from comedy to drama in Sean Penn's Into the Wild, a film about the adventures of Christopher McCandless, based on the best-selling book by Jon Krakauer. In 2008, Vaughn starred in his second Christmas comedy, Four Christmases, with Reese Witherspoon. The film portrays a couple who struggle to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas.

In 2009, he starred in Couples Retreat, a comedy chronicling four couples who undergo therapy sessions at a tropical island resort. Malin Åkerman played his wife. Vince's father, Vernon, portrayed his father in the film. In February 2010, Vaughn was among the nearly 80 musicians and actors to sing the charity-single remake of We Are the World. Vaughn starred in Ron Howard's comedy The Dilemma, released in January 2011. It was produced by Wild West Picture Show Productions, his production company. On July 31, 2012, it was announced that Vaughn would be developing a reboot produced by CBS to the sitcom The Brady Bunch, which was taken off the air in 1974. In 2013, Vaughn co-wrote and starred alongside Owen Wilson in The Internship.

2015–present: Dramatic roles and TV work

In 2015, he starred in Unfinished Business, which grossed $4.8 million in its opening weekend, a career low for Vaughn. He also starred in the second season of True Detective alongside Colin Farrell, which premiered on June 21. In 2016, he starred in the crime thriller Term Life, which featured Favreau in a supporting role and was directed by Peter Billingsley. Also in 2016, he played a drill sergeant in the war film Hacksaw Ridge.

In 2018, Vaughn co-starred alongside Mel Gibson in Dragged Across Concrete, his second collaboration with S. Craig Zahler, whom he worked with the year before on Brawl in Cell Block 99. In 2020, he starred with Kathryn Newton in the horror-comedy film Freaky, in which they play a criminal and a teenage girl who switch bodies. On January 20, 2022, it was announced that Vaughn will produce a sequel to the 1983 film A Christmas Story titled A Christmas Story Christmas with Peter Billingsley (who will reprise his role as Ralphie) through his production company Wild West Picture Show Productions for Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max.

In March 2022, Vaughn, Greg Olsen, and Ryan Kalil launched a podcast network and production company named Audiorama. The first podcast available from the network, "Youth, Inc.", focuses on youth sports. In 2024, he starred in the Apple TV+ drama series Bad Monkey playing a detective turned restaurant inspector. The show is created by Bill Lawrence and set to debut August 14, 2024.

In August 2024, Vaughn received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures.

Personal life

Vince Vaughn by Gage Skidmore 2
Vaughn at the Liberty Political Action Conference in Reno, Nevada, September 2011

In 2005, Vaughn began dating Jennifer Aniston, his co-star in The Break-Up. In late 2006, he sued three tabloid magazines for reporting that he had been unfaithful to Aniston. They broke up in November 2006.

In March 2009, it was announced that Vaughn was engaged to Canadian realtor Kyla Weber. They married on January 2, 2010, in the Armour House at Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois. Their two children were born in 2010 and 2013.

Vaughn describes himself as a libertarian. He supported Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, and Rand Paul in the 2016 election. In June 2015, Vaughn expressed his opposition to gun control.

In 2016, Vaughn began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. He received his blue belt in 2018.

In 2019, Vaughn received the Meritorious Public Service Medal from the U.S. Army for his contributions to service members’ morale.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1991 For the Boys Cheering Soldier in Crowd Uncredited
1993 Rudy Jamie O'Hara Credited as Vincent Vaughn
1994 At Risk Max Nolan
1996 Just Your Luck Barry Direct-to-video
Swingers Trent Walker
1997 Lost World: Jurassic Park, TheThe Lost World: Jurassic Park Nick Van Owen
Locusts, TheThe Locusts Clay Hewitt
1998 Cool, Dry Place, AA Cool, Dry Place Russell Durrell
Return to Paradise John "Sheriff" Volgecherev
Clay Pigeons Lester Long
Psycho Norman Bates
2000 South of Heaven, West of Hell Taylor Henry
Cell, TheThe Cell FBI Agent Peter Novak
Prime Gig, TheThe Prime Gig Pendelton "Penny" Wise
2001 Made Ricky Slade Also producer
Zoolander Luke Zoolander Uncredited cameo
Domestic Disturbance Rick Barnes / Jack Parnell
2003 Old School Bernard "Beanie" Campbell
I Love Your Work Stiev
Blackball Rick Schwartz
2004 Starsky & Hutch Reese Feldman
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story Peter La Fleur
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Wes Mantooth Uncredited
Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie
Paparazzi Actor
2005 Thumbsucker Mr. Geary
Be Cool Roger "Raji" Lowenthal
Mr. & Mrs. Smith Eddie
Wedding Crashers Jeremy Grey
2006 Break-Up, TheThe Break-Up Gary Grobowski Also writer and producer
2007 Into the Wild Wayne Westerberg
Fred Claus Frederick "Fred" Claus Also producer
2008 Wild West Comedy Show Himself
Four Christmases Brad / Orlando McVie
2009 Couples Retreat Dave Also writer and producer
2011 The Dilemma Ronny Valentine Also producer
2012 Art of Conflict: The Murals of Northern Ireland Narrator Documentary; also producer
The Watch Bob McAllister
Lay the Favorite Rosie
2013 The Internship Billy McMahon Also writer and producer
A Case of You Alan
Delivery Man David Wozniak
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Wes Mantooth Cameo
2015 Unfinished Business Daniel "Dan" Trunkman
2016 Term Life Nick Barrow Also producer
Hacksaw Ridge Sgt. Howell
2017 Brawl in Cell Block 99 Bradley Thomas
2018 Dragged Across Concrete Anthony Lurasetti
2019 Fighting with My Family Hutch Morgan
Seberg Carl Kowalski
2020 Arkansas Frog
The Binge Principal Carleson
Freaky Blissfield Butcher / Millie Kessler
2021 North Hollywood Oliver
Queenpins Simon Kilmurray
2025 Animal Friends Post-production
Nonnas Joe Scaravella Post-production; also executive producer
TBA Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1989 China Beach Motor Pool Driver Episode: "The Unquiet Earth"
21 Jump Street Bill Peterson Episode: "Mike's P.O.V."
1990 ABC Afterschool Specials Jason 1 episode
CBS Schoolbreak Special Steve Episode: "Malcom Takes a Shot"
Steve Guarino Episode: "The Fourth Man"
1991 Richard Episode: "Lies of the Heart"
1992 Doogie Howser, M.D. Mark Episode: "Sons of the Desert"
1998 Mr. Show with Bob and David Sheep Dog Episode: "It's Perfectly Understandishable"
Hercules Loki (voice) Episode: "Hercules and the Twilight of the Gods"
The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode: "The Interview"
Saturday Night Live Himself (host) Episode: "Vince Vaughn/Lauryn Hill"
2000 Sex and the City Keith Travers 1 episode
2001 Going to California Gavin Toe Episode: "This Year's Model"
2013 Pursuit of the Truth Himself (host) 10 episodes; also producer
Saturday Night Live Episode: "Vince Vaughn/Miguel"
2015 True Detective Frank Semyon 8 episodes
2018 F Is for Family Chet Stevenson (voice) 8 episodes; also executive producer
2020–2024 Curb Your Enthusiasm Freddy Funkhouser 11 episodes
2022 A Christmas Story Christmas N/A Television movie; producer only
2024 Bad Monkey Andrew Yancy Also executive producer

Music videos

Year Title Artist(s)
1998 "These Arms" Dwight Yoakam
2010 "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" Artists for Haiti
2016 "Don't Wanna Know" Maroon 5

Video games

Year Title Voice role Notes
1997 Chaos Island: The Lost World Nick Van Owen

Awards and nominations

Organizations Year Category Work Result
Australian Film Critics Association 2017 Best Supporting Actor Hacksaw Ridge Nominated
Blockbuster Entertainment Award 2001 Favorite Actor – Science Fiction The Cell Nominated
CinemaCon Award 2013 Comedy Duo of the Year (with Owen Wilson) The Internship Won
Critics' Choice Super Award 2021 Best Actor in a Horror Movie Freaky Won
Gold Derby Award 2008 Ensemble Cast Into the Wild Nominated
Golden Schmoes Award 2005 Favorite Celebrity of the Year N/A Nominated
MTV Movie + TV Award 2003 Best On-Screen Team ( with Will Ferrell & Luke Wilson) Old School Nominated
2005 Best On-Screen Team (with the cast of Dodgeball) DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story Nominated
2006 Best Comedic Performance Wedding Crashers Nominated
Best On-Screen Team (with Owen Wilson) Won
2021 Most Frightened Performance Freaky Nominated
People's Choice Award 2006 Favorite On-Screen Match-Up (with Owen Wilson) Wedding Crashers Won
2007 Favorite Leading Man The Break-Up Won
Favorite On-Screen Match-Up (with Jennifer Aniston) Nominated
2010 Favorite Comedy Star Couples Retreat Nominated
Saturn Award 2018 Best Actor Brawl in Cell Block 99 Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award 2008 Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Into the Wild Nominated
ShoWest Convention Award 2006 Comedy Star of the Year N/A Won
Teen Choice Award 2005 Choice Movie – Sleazbag Be Cool Nominated
2006 Choice Movie Actor – Comedy The Break-Up Nominated
Choice Movie – Chemistry (with Jennifer Aniston) Won
2010 Choice Movie – Hissy Fit Couples Retreat Nominated
Choice Activist N/A Won

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vince Vaughn para niños

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