Received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from DePaul University's Goodman School of Drama (Chicago) [1987]
Originated the role of Marty in the 2002 musical "Marty" (book by Rupert Holmes, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams), based on the 1955 movie Marty (1955).
In April 2004 he left the filming of Manderlay (2005) to be replaced by Slovenian actor Zeljko Ivanek. According to a report in Entertainment Weekly, he did so to protest against the killing of a donkey during production.
Attended DePaul University in Chicago.
John is a wonderful singer who came out of a musical theater background - did all of his own singing in Chicago (2002).
In 2003, he starred in three out of the five movies nominated for Best Pictures. They are Chicago (2002), Gangs of New York (2002), and The Hours (2002).
Made a home video of himself singing in a bow tie and suit for director Rob Marshall who gave him his role in Chicago (2002).
Mother is from Lithuania. Father is Irish. He is the fifth of six children.
Director Antoine Fuqua wanted to cast him in his since aborted crime epic "Tru Blu" with Denzel Washington and Benicio Del Toro.
For not only his broad, 6' 2" frame, curly hair, and everyman's mug, but also his straight-forward but thoughtful acting style, Reilly has frequently been dubbed "his generation's Gene Hackman".
Was nominated for Broadway's 2000 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for a revival of Sam Shepard's "True West."
Is of Irish and Russian decent.
Graduated from Brother Rice High School on the South Side of Chicago.
John C. Reilly Detailed Biography
John Christopher Reilly (born May 24, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American actor of Irish and Lithuanian descent from the South Side of Chicago. He is a graduate of Brother Rice High School and DePaul University. A proud member of the Chicago theater, Reilly credits the Windy City with helping him gain experience as he was working for his big break.
Reilly made his film debut in Casualties of War (1989) and has consistently appeared in supporting roles since then.
His profile as a film actor was significantly raised in 2002 when he appeared in three of the year's Academy Award for Best Picture nominees - Chicago, Gangs of New York and The Hours. He received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Renée Zellweger's trusting husband in Chicago. He more recently appeared in The Aviator (2004) as Howard Hughes's (Leonardo DiCaprio) trusted financial advisor, Noah Dietrich. Ironically, two years before Reilly had appeared as a nemesis to DiCaprio's Amsterdam Vallon in Gangs of New York.
Reilly played drums in the comedy rock band, Tenacious D, as "Sasquatch".
