Aidan Quinn

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Aidan Quinn

Born March 8, 1959 (1959-03-08) (age 49)
Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Spouse(s) Elizabeth Bracco (September 1, 1987 - present) 2 Children

Aidan Quinn (Irish: Aodhán Ó Cuinn; born March 8, 1959) is an American actor.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Quinn was born in Rockford, Illinois to devoutly Catholic Irish parents.[1] He was raised in Chicago and Rockford, as well as in Dublin, in Birr in County Offaly, and other places in Ireland. His father was a professor in literature and his mother a homemaker. He has three brothers. His older brother, Declan Quinn, is a noted cinematographer. Though a roofer by trade, Quinn got his start in the Chicago theater at age 19. He trained at the Piven Theatre Workshop.[2]

[edit] Career

His first significant film role was in Reckless, followed by a breakthrough role in Desperately Seeking Susan as the character "Dez" (the love interest of the character played by Rosanna Arquette). Quinn next starred in the controversial TV movie An Early Frost, about a young lawyer dying of AIDS (it was broadcast on NBC on November 11, 1985) and co-starred such luminaries as Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara and Sylvia Sidney. He received his first Emmy Award nomination for the role which allowed him to gain recognition in Hollywood.

In 1988 Quinn lost the role of Jesus Christ when Paramount Pictures dropped the controversial Martin Scorsese movie The Last Temptation of Christ. When Universal Pictures picked up the film, the role went to Willem Dafoe.

During the 1990s Quinn's career grew immensely. He found work alongside such Hollywood stars as Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall, Johnny Depp in Benny & Joon and Robert Duvall in The Handmaid's Tale. He continually starred in films that allowed him to return to his Irish roots, such as Michael Collins and Evelyn

In 2000, Quinn portrayed Paul McCartney in the VH1 television drama, Two of Us. He later met McCartney at a hotel, and they became good friends. Quinn was able to gain his first regular television role as the lead in the short lived, and controversial NBC drama The Book of Daniel, in 2006 before being canceled after the first three weeks of its run. In 2007, Quinn received his second Emmy nomination for the television movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

[edit] Personal life

Quinn is married to the actress Elizabeth Bracco, sister of actress Lorraine Bracco. The two met in 1984 at a restaurant and later co-starred in Stakeout. They married in 1987 and have two daughters.

[edit] Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Wild Child Gerry
2007 32A Frank Brennan
Dark Matter Reiser
2005 Nine Lives Henry Gotham Awards (nominated)
2004 Proud Commodore Alfred Lind
Return to Sender Frank Nitzche IFTA Awards (nominated-4Xs)
Shadow of Fear Detective Scofield
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius Harry Vardon
2003 Song for a Raggy Boy William Franklin
2002 Evelyn Nick Barron
Stolen Summer Joe O'Malley
2000 Songcatcher Tom Bledsoe Sundance Film Festival Award (won)
1999 Music of the Heart Brian Turner
In Dreams Paul Cooper
1998 Practical Magic Officer Gary Hallet Blockbuster Entertainment Award (nominated)
This Is My Father Kieran O'Day
1997 The Assignment Lt. Cmdr. Annibal Ramirez/Carlos
Commandments Seth Warner
1996 Michael Collins Harry Boland
Looking for Richard Richmond
1995 Haunted Prof. David Ash
The Stars Fell on Henrietta Don Day
1994 Legends of the Fall Alfred Ludlow
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Capt. Robert Walton
Blink Det. John Hallstrom
1993 Benny & Joon Benjamin 'Benny' Pearl
1992 The Playboys Tom Casey
1991 At Play in the Fields of the Lord Martin Quarrier
1990 Avalon Jules Kaye
The Lemon Sisters Frankie McGuinness
The Handmaid's Tale Nick
1989 Crusoe Crusoe
1987 Stakeout Richard 'Stick' Montgomery
1986 The Mission Felipe Mendoza
1985 Desperately Seeking Susan Dez
1984 Reckless Johnny Rourke

[edit] Television

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Canterbury's Law Matthew "Matt" Furey
2007 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ben Nicholson Episode: Savant
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Henry L. Dawes HBO TV-Movie
Emmy Award (nominated)
2006 The Book of Daniel Daniel Webster
2004-2005 Third Watch Lieutenant John Miller Episode: Alone Again, Naturally
Episode: Last Will and Testament
Episode: The Hunter, Hunted
Episode: The Greatest Detectives
Episode: Goodbye to Camelot
2005 Mayday John Berry CBS TV-Movie
Empire Falls David Roby HBO Miniseries
The Exonerated Kerry CourtTV TV-Movie
2004 Miracle Run Douglas Thomas Lifetime Movie Network TV-Movie
Cavedweller Clint Windsor Showtime Network TV-Movie
Independent Spirit Award (nominated)
Plainsong Tom Guthrie CBS TV-Movie
2003 Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor Gen. Benedict Arnold A&E TV-Movie
2001 Night Visions Jeremy Bell Episode: The Passenger List
2000 Two of Us Paul McCartney VH1 TV-Movie
The Prince and the Pauper Miles Hendon TV-Movie
See You in My Dreams Joe F. Brown TV-Movie
1997 Forbidden Territory: Stanley's Search for Livingstone Henry Morton Stanley TV-Movie
1992 A Private Matter Bob Finkbine HBO TV-Movie
1991 Lies of the Twins James McEwan/Jonathan McEwan TV-Movie
1989 Perfect Witness Sam Paxton HBO TV-Movie
1986 All My Sons Chris Keller TV-Movie
1985 An Early Frost Michael Pierson NBC TV-Movie
Emmy Award (nominated)

[edit] References

[edit] External links