Paul Giamatti
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Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti, (born June 6, 1967) is an American actor. His father was A. Bartlett Giamatti, a Yale University professor who later became president of the university and commissioner of Major League Baseball. His mother, Toni Smith, was an actress. Paul's brother Marcus is also an actor. He is most often confused in public as Rob Schneider. When he guest hosted for SNL, he had a sketch reflecting this.
Paul Giamatti attended the elite boarding school Choate Rosemary Hall, was an English major at Yale, and has a Master's degree in Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama. Following his graduation, he performed in numerous theatrical productions (including Broadway) before appearing in some small television and film roles in the early 1990s.
His first high profile role was in the film adaptation of Howard Stern's Private Parts. Paul Giamatti played Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton, Howard's antagonistic program director at WNBC. Howard praised Paul's performance often on his radio program, calling for him to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. That didn't happen, but Paul's career certainly received a boost. He appeared in a number of supporting roles in big-budget movies such as The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, and The Negotiator (all 1998). In 1999 he played Bob Zmuda (and Tony Clifton) in the Andy Kaufman biopic, Man on the Moon. Paul Giamatti continued to appear in major studio releases such as Big Momma's House (2000) and the Planet of the Apes remake (2001), and co-starred in Big Fat Liar (2002).
Paul's most acclaimed performances were in lead roles in American Splendor (2003) and Sideways (2004). He was nominated for a Golden Globe for the latter but lost. He was not nominated for an Academy Award, an omission which rankled many fans of the film and left many film critics dumbfounded.
Filmography
- Lady in the Water (2006)
- Paper Man (2006)
- Ant Bully (2006)
- The Illusionist (2006)... Chief Inspector Uhl
- The Hawk Is Dying (2005)... George Gattling
- Cinderella Man (2005)... Joe Gould
- Robots (2005)... Tim the Gate Guard (voice)
- Sideways (2004)... Miles Raymond
- Paycheck (2003)... Shorty
- The Pentagon Papers (2003) (TV)... Anthony Russo
- American Splendor (2003)... Harvey Pekar
- Confidence (2003)... Gordo
- Thunderpants (2002)... Johnson J. Johnson
- Big Fat Liar (2002)... Marty Wolf
- Planet of the Apes (2001)... Limbo
- Storytelling (2001)... Toby Oxman
- Duets (2000)... Todd Woods
- Big Momma's House (2000)... John
- If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000) (TV)... Ted Hedley
- Man on the Moon (1999)... Bob Zmuda/Tony Clifton
- Cradle Will Rock (1999)... Carlo
- Winchell (1998) (TV)... Herman Klurfeld
- Safe Men (1998)... Veal Chop
- The Negotiator (1998)... Rudy Timmons
- Saving Private Ryan (1998)... Sergeant Hill
- Dr. Dolittle (1998)... Blaine (uncredited)
- The Truman Show (1998)... Control Room Director
- Tourist Trap (1998) (TV)... Jeremiah Piper
- A Further Gesture (1997)... Hotel Clerk
- Deconstructing Harry (1997)... Professor Abbot
- My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)... Richard the Bellman
- Private Parts (1997)... Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton
- Donnie Brasco (1997)... FBI Technician
- Arresting Gena (1997)... Detective Wilson
- Breathing Room (1996)... George
- Before and After (1996)... Courtroom Audience (uncredited)
- Sabrina (1995)... Scott
- Mighty Aphrodite (1995)... Extras Guild Researcher
- Singles (1992)... Kissing Man
- Past Midnight (1992)... Larry Canipe
- She'll Take Romance (1990) (TV)... Heckler #2