Jump to content

Adam Baldwin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the singer, see Adam Baldwin (singer). Not to be confused with Alec Baldwin.

Adam Baldwin
Baldwin at the 2016 WonderCon
Born (1962-02-27) February 27, 1962 (age 62)
Winnetka, Illinois, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1980–present
Spouse
Ami Julius
​
(m. 1988)​
Children3

Adam Baldwin (born February 27, 1962) is an American actor. He made his film debut in My Bodyguard (1980). He later appeared in Full Metal Jacket (1987) as Animal Mother, and in the television series Firefly and its continuation film Serenity as Jayne Cobb. His roles include Stillman in Ordinary People (1980), Colonel John Casey in Chuck, and Mike Slattery in The Last Ship.

Early life

[edit]

Baldwin was born on February 27, 1962 in Winnetka, Illinois, and studied at New Trier Township High School in east Winnetka.[1]

The youngest of two brothers, Baldwin was the product of a divorce when he was still a child, and became a troubled teen before joining the drama club at his school where he studied and became interested in acting.

Baldwin was flippant when he auditioned for the role of Ricky Linderman in the movie My Bodyguard directed by Tony Bill, and was surprised when he was cast for the role.

After his success in My Bodyguard and filming Ordinary People in 1980, he moved to New York to study acting and in 1983, was offered the role of Albert Hockenberry in D.C. Cab. Baldwin has openly stated that he was offered other small roles, of which he "probably shouldn't have taken", and later "became broke" and struggled before he made the decision to move to Los Angeles in 1984, where he quickly landed roles in two feature films and a movie.

Baldwin has later stated that he had trouble landing more movie roles due to his height of 6'4" and was frequently asked, "how tall are you?". He would go on to say that he and his wife Ami Julius, joked that once asked that question, he wouldn't get the job.

Career

[edit]

Appearing in a large number of films since 1980, Baldwin rose to prominence as the troubled outcast Ricky Linderman in My Bodyguard (1980) and moved on to bigger roles in D.C. Cab (1983), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Next of Kin (1989), Predator 2 (1990), Deadbolt (1992), Independence Day (1996), The Patriot (2000), and Serenity (2005)—in which he reprises his role as the mercenary Jayne Cobb from the television series Firefly.

Baldwin was named TV Guide's Sexiest Newcomer in 2005 even though he started his acting career in 1980.

His other work includes Radio Flyer (1992), From the Earth to the Moon (1998), The X-Files (Knowle Rohrer), The Cape, Men in Black: The Series, Stargate SG-1, Angel, The Inside as agent Danny Love, NCIS, and the 2005 remake of The Poseidon Adventure. He also starred in the ABC series Day Break as Chad Shelton in 2006.

Baldwin parodied Ricky Linderman in the 2008 film Drillbit Taylor. He is also known for NBC's Chuck, in which he played John Casey, a hard-nosed Marine colonel working for the NSA.

In season four of Castle, Baldwin was reunited with former Firefly castmate Nathan Fillion. He played Detective Ethan Slaughter in the 21st episode called "Headhunters" which aired April 16, 2012.[2][3] He returned to Castle in the eighth-season episode "Cool Boys".

Baldwin won a SyFy Genre Award in 2006 for Best Supporting Actor/Television for his role as Jayne Cobb in the television series Firefly.[4]

Baldwin was cast as Superman in Superman: Doomsday, which is based on DC Comics' The Death of Superman. He also voices the character in the massively multiplayer online game DC Universe Online.

Baldwin has a role as a voice actor in the Xbox 360 games Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the latter putting him in the role of Corporal Taylor "Dutch" Miles. Baldwin also appears as a voice actor in Half-Life 2: Episode Two for various resistance soldiers and citizens. Along with his Chuck co-star, Yvonne Strahovski, he also appeared in Mass Effect 2 as Marine squad leader Kal'Reegar.

Personal life

[edit]

Baldwin has three children with his wife, Ami Julius.[5]

He was a supporter of Ride 2 Recovery, a bike-riding organization set up for the rehabilitation of wounded veterans and participated in the 2009 "Don't Mess With Texas Challenge" bike ride. These organizations have since folded.[6][7][better source needed]

Baldwin's most noticeable trademarks include playing imposing tough guys as well as his his towering muscular physique, deep resonant voice, bold blue eyes, a prominent jawline and a small crescent scar on the right side of his cheek; a scar he says he got when he was three and fell off his tricycle while he was speeding around where his father was outside working, and landed on a wheel barrel axel.

Baldwin enjoys his semi-retirement with his wife relaxing, golfing and smoking cigars.

Controversy

[edit]

Baldwin has faced controversy in Hollywood due to his conservative political views and openness against the left, which has allegedly led to a decrease in movie and television roles.

Baldwin has been credited with creating the hashtag #GamerGate near the end of August 2014 by posting the hashtag on Twitter alongside a pair of videos that, as part of wider criticisms, repeated earlier allegations against Zoë Quinn and Nathan Grayson.[8] His post became the catalyst for the online 'war' that broke out and he later told an interviewer that "leftists" were imposing "political crap" on gamers.[9]

This prompted a petition to the organizers of Supernova Pop Culture, a convention for fans of comic books, anime, and science-fiction in Sydney and Perth revoke its invitation to Baldwin to meet and greet fans. Event organizer Daniel Zachariou in a Facebook posting, asked for the "patience and understanding" of those attending the event, but did not indicate what action, if any, would be taken in response to the petition.

Fans of Baldwin have organized their own counterpetition, demanding that the actor be kept on. "Quite a few things he has said have been grossly taken out of context…" says the petition, which had over 3,000 signatures. Baldwin went on with his invitation to attend Supernova and was welcomed and greeted by his many fans.

He conducts ongoing political discussions to this day.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1980 My Bodyguard Ricky Linderman
Ordinary People Kevin Stillman
1983 D.C. Cab Albert Hockenberry
1984 Reckless Randy Daniels
1986 3:15 Jeff Hannah
Bad Guys Skip Jackson
1987 Full Metal Jacket Sergeant 'Animal Mother'
Hadley's Rebellion 'Bobo' McKenzie
1988 Cohen and Tate Tate
The Chocolate War Carter
1989 Next of Kin Joey Rosselini
1990 Predator 2 Agent Adam Garber
1991 Guilty by Suspicion FBI Agent #1
1992 Where the Day Takes You Officer Black
Radio Flyer The King
1993 Eight Hundred Leagues Down the Amazon Koja
Treacherous Tommy Wright
Bitter Harvest Bobby
1994 Cold Sweat Mitch
Wyatt Earp Tom McLaury
1995 Digital Man Captain West
How to Make an American Quilt Finn's Father
1996 Independence Day Major Mitchell
Lover's Knot John Reed
1997 Starquest II Lee
1998 Gargantua Marine Biologist
2000 The Patriot Captain Wilkins, British Army
The Right Temptation Captain Wagner
2001 Pursuit of Happiness Chad Harmon
2001 Above & Beyond Peter Clerkin
Jackpot Mel James
Farewell, My Love Jimmy
Double Bang Vinnie Krailes
2002 The Keyman Chris Myers / Keyman
2003 Betrayal Detective Mark Winston
Control Factor Lance Bishop
2004 The Freediver Dr. Viades
Evil Eyes Jeff Stenn
2005 Serenity Jayne Cobb
2006 The Thirst Lenny
2007 Superman: Doomsday Superman Voice, direct-to-video[10]
2008 Gospel Hill Carl Herrod
Drillbit Taylor Disgruntled Bodyguard
2009 Little Fish, Strange Pond aka. Frenemy Tommy
2010 Browncoats: Redemption Phone Operator Uncredited
2011 InSight Dr. Graham Barrett
2012 War of the Worlds: Goliath Wilson Voice
2015 Vault of the Macabre II Narrator Voice, short film
2017 Vault of the Macabre: The House Upon the Hill Narrator Voice, short film
2019 The Kid Bob Olinger
The Legend of 5 Mile Cave Sam Barnes
2021 American Underdog Terry Allen

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1984 Pigs vs. Freaks Mickey South Television film
1985 Special Treat Otto Frommer Episode: "Out of Time"
Poison Ivy Ike Dimick Television film
1986 Welcome Home, Bobby Cleary Biggs Television film
1991 Murder in High Places Television film
1992 Cruel Doubt Det. John Taylor Television film
Deadbolt Alec Danz Television film
1993 The Last Shot Mark Tullis Jr. TV short
1994 Blind Justice Sgt. Hastings Television film
1995 Fallen Angels Ralph Episode: "Good Housekeeping"
VR.5 Scott Cooper Episode: "Pilot"
Trade-Off Thomas Hughes Television film
Sawbones Burt Miller Television film
Shadow-Ops Dalt Television film
1996 Smoke Jumpers Don Mackey Television film
1996–1997 The Cape Col. Jack Riles Main role
1997 The Visitor Michael O'Ryan 4 episodes
1997–1999 Firehawks Morgan Dalton Voice, 26 episodes
1998 From the Earth to the Moon Fred Haise Episode: "For Miles and Miles"
Gargantua Jack Ellway Television film
Indiscreet Jeremy Butler Television film
The Outer Limits Major James Bowen Episode: "Phobos Rising"
2000 Recess B.O.E. Agent #2 Voice, episode: "All the Principal's Men"
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde Television film
2000-2001 Static Shock York Voice, 2 episodes[10]
2000–2005 Jackie Chan Adventures Finn Voice, main role
2001 The Zeta Project Sven Voice, episode: "Crime Waves"[10]
2001–2002 The X-Files Knowle Rohrer 5 episodes
2002 Hyper Sonic Christopher Bannon Video
2002–2003 Firefly Jayne Cobb Main role
2003 Control Factor Lance Bishop Television film
CSI: Miami De Soto Episode: "Dead Woman Walking"
Gacy John Gacy Sr. Video
Monster Makers Jay Forrest Television film
2004 JAG Cmdr. Michael Rainer Episode: "Good Intentions"
Stargate SG-1 Col. Dave Dixon Episode: "Heroes"
NCIS Cmdr. Michael Rainer Episode: "The Weak Link"
Angel Marcus Hamilton 5 episodes
2005 Molly & Roni's Dance Party School Principal Video
Justice League Unlimited Jonah Hex, Rick Flag, Bonk Voice, 3 episodes[10]
The Inside Special Agent Danny Love Main role
The Poseidon Adventure Sea Marshal Mike Rogo Television film
2006 Talk to Me TV series
Bones Special Agent Jamie Kenton Episode: "Two Bodies in the Lab"
Invader Zim Various Voice, episode:
"The Frycook What Came from All That Space"[10]
2006–2008 Day Break Chad Shelton Main role
2007 Sands of Oblivion Jesse Carter Television film
2007–2012 Chuck John Casey Main role
2008 CSI: NY DHS Agent Brett Dunbar Episode: "Hostage"
Chuck Versus the Webisodes John Casey 5 episodes
2011 Love Bites Hotel Dick Episode: "Modern Plagues"
2011–2012 Transformers: Prime Breakdown Voice[10]
2012, 2015 Castle Detective Ethan Slaughter 2 episodes
2012 Young Justice Parasite Voice, episode: "Performance"[10]
Leverage Colonel Michael Vance 2 episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Captain Steven Harris Season 14, 3 episodes
2013 Beware the Batman Rex Mason / Metamorpho Voice, 3 episodes[10]
2014–2018 The Last Ship Commander / Captain Mike Slattery, USN Main role
2019–present GunnyTime Himself / Host
2023, 2024 9-1-1: Lone Star Detective McGregor 2 Episodes [11]
2024 S.W.A.T. Calvin Webb Episode: "Family Man"

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2003 Kill.switch Archer
2007 Halo 3 Marines [10]
Half-Life 2: Episode Two Citizens [10]
2009 Halo 3: ODST Dutch
2010 Mass Effect 2 Kal'Reegar
2011 DC Universe Online Superman [10]
2013 Injustice: Gods Among Us Hal Jordan
2015 Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Henry Fleming [10]
Infinite Crisis Hal Jordan / Green Lantern [12]
Firefly Online Jayne Cobb
2021 Mass Effect Legendary Edition Kal'Reegar

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ryan, Maureen (January 6, 2010). "'Chuck's' Adam Baldwin on John Casey, a man of few words and many bullets". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Keck, William (March 27, 2012). "Keck's Exclusives First Look: Firefly's Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin Reunite on Castle". TV Guide. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "Castle, Season 4, Episode 21". Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "SyfyPortal Awards". Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2006.
  5. ^ Babineau, Jeff (December 15, 1996). "Faces of the Game". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  6. ^ Baldwin, Adam (May 20, 2009). "Ride 2 Recovery: An Amazing Journey". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  7. ^ "Road 2 Recovery Don't Mess with Texas Challenge". Road 2 Recovery. April 7, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  8. ^ Kaplan, Sarah (September 12, 2014). "With #GamerGate, the video-game industry's growing pains go viral". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  9. ^ Salter, Michael (2017). "Gamergate and the subpolitics of abuse in online publics". Crime, Justice and Social Media. New York: Routledge. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-138-91966-2
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Adam Baldwin (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 13, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  11. ^ Swift, Andy (April 27, 2023). "9-1-1: Lone Star Staging Firefly Reunion With Adam Baldwin and Gina Torres". www.tvline.com. TVLine. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  12. ^ Turbine, Inc. Infinite Crisis. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Credits, Voice Over Talent.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Adam Baldwin.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Adam Baldwin.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adam_Baldwin&oldid=1275041150"