Actor John Goodman: Filmography and Best Actors

John Goodman is rightly considered one of the most sought after and famous Hollywood actors. His films are popular with everyone, as he perfectly fits in both comedy and dramatic roles, bringing in them a very special charisma. But not all fans of the famous actor know that his life did not begin on the stage, but all he had to achieve with persistent and constant work.

John Goodman (John Goodman): Biography

The life of an eminent actor was not always full of glory and recognition. John Goodman was born on June 20, 1952, on the outskirts of St. Louis, the town of Lower Effort (Missouri). The father of the future movie star, who worked as a postal worker, unfortunately died when John was only two years old. The family had three children - Leslie's elder brother and Betty's younger sister. Naturally, the mother, Virginia, spent all her time working, trying to provide her children with everything necessary.

A real friend and assistant to John was exactly his older brother, who helped him and even to some extent replaced his father. It was thanks to Leslie's support that the future actor successfully graduated from school and even took part in school theater productions. His debut on a small stage of his native city took place in 1968. For sure it was at this time John and chose an acting career for himself.

In 1970, Goodman enrolled in a local college, and then transferred to the Southwestern University of Missouri. His older brother strongly supported the beginnings of John, even paid for additional courses. And in 1975 the guy graduated from the university, receiving a degree in acting. In the same year, he decided to move to New York, in order to work on a career.

Start a career on Broadway

Certainly, life in a big city was not so easy, as John Goodman himself often notes. Films, glory and recognition came not at once. At first, the future celebrity earned a living, playing in children's productions and even working as a cook in the theater.

Nevertheless, in 1978 he made his debut on Broadway, in the production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". His role, of course, was small, but it was enough to be seen. Very soon the young actor became the main character of the Broadway musicals and earned the approval of critics. Particularly expressive are his works, such as "Losing the ends" and "The Great River".

The first tests in the movie

Career on the big screen John Goodman began with small secondary roles. For example, in 1983 he won roles in such films as "The Face of Fury", "The School of Survival" and "The Escape of Eddie Macon".

In 1984, the actor agreed to take part in such films as "The Revenge of the Nerds", "Beloved Mary". There were other pictures in which John Goodman starred. Films with his participation: "Sweet dreams" (1985), "True stories" (1986) and "The thief" (1987).

The first leading roles and worldwide recognition

After John gained fame as a charismatic secondary actor, he received an offer from the Coen brothers and starred in a successful film called "Raising Arizona." It was in this picture that the audience was able to discover for the first time the breathtaking depth of the young actor's talent.

After some time John agreed to one of the main roles in the show "Roseanne". It was this period that became the defining moment in the career of the actor. After all, on the screen, he was able to perfectly recreate the image of a simple, but kind and honest representative of the working class. Very soon in every American house they knew and loved Goodman. By the way, it was for this role that he received the prestigious Emmy award.

John Goodman: Filmography

Naturally, for his long career, the actor had time to take part in filming dozens of films. In some he played the leading roles, in some - secondary, in some he created a cheerful and light atmosphere thanks to the comic's amazing talent, while in others it perfectly reproduced tragic and dramatic images.

In 1988 he starred in such films as "Scouts", "One hundred percent American for all" and "Zest". Next year, the films "Always" and "The Sea of Love" appeared on the screens. In 1990, the actor managed to work in two projects - "Stella" and "Fear of Spiders".

In 1994, John received a major role in all the beloved and famous comedy "Flintstone", as well as in the very eccentric picture of the Coen brothers "Hudsaker's Handicraft." 1998 was quite productive, in which the actor starred in the cult comedy "Big Lebowski", as well as the musical "Brothers Blues 2000" and the mystical thriller "The Fallen".

During his career, John Goodman proved that he really is a versatile actor. Despite the fact that the comedy with his participation became the most successful, he successfully shot in dramas, fantasy films, romantic films, action films and thrillers. In 1997 on the Walk of Fame appeared John Goodman's star - a true recognition and gratitude for the incredible contribution to the world cinema.

By the way, the actor accepted and to this day takes part in the scoring of all known and beloved cartoons. Among them, such projects as "Rudolph the Reindeer", "The Adventures of Rocky and the Bulvinkle", "The Adventures of the Emperor" and "Monsters' Corporation", as well as "The Rides of Emperor 2", "Cars", "Bi-Muvi: Honey Plot" , "Paranormal Norman".

New works of the famous actor

In fact, at the present time, the actor's career is at a stage of revival, as he continues to appear in films of different genres, constantly pleasing his fans. For example, in 2011, John Stephen Goodman managed to appear in several paintings that were world famous, including "Eerily loud and extremely close", as well as the Oscar-winning "Artist".

Did not pass without work and 2012, which pleased the audience with such films as "Operation Argo", "Crew" and "Twisted Ball." John also got a role in the third part of the famous Hollywood story "Bachelor Party in Vegas". The last work to date is a dramatic picture-biography of Trumbo.

Personal life

It's worth saying right away that John Goodman belongs to those lucky people who manage to combine leading roles in films, successful business and a happy family life. With his wife, Annabeth Hartzog, the actor met in 1988, at a party in New Orleans. It is worth saying that the beautiful girl did not immediately agree to a date with the already successful actor, although Goodman himself says that he literally lost his gift of speech with delight at the first acquaintance. Already in 1989 there was a small and very modest wedding ceremony. In 1990, the actor became a father - his wife gave him his beloved daughter Molly.

By the way, one of John's hobbies and talents is singing. He often pampers his fans with a beautiful singing on the screen. In addition, together with friends, the actor loves from time to time to sing in restaurants, including the "House of Blues", co-owned by Goodman. By the way, many visitors to the restaurant "Planet Hollywood" did not have the same opportunity to enjoy the excellent duet of John and Bruce Willis.