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Justin Theroux

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Justin Theroux
Theroux in 2024
Born
Justin Paul Theroux

(1971-08-10) August 10, 1971 (age 53)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Alma materBennington College
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Years active1995–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2015; div. 2018)​
[1]
PartnerHeidi Bivens (1997–2011)
Relatives

Justin Paul Theroux (/θəˈroʊ/;[2] born August 10, 1971)[3] is an American actor and filmmaker. He gained recognition for his work with director David Lynch in the mystery film Mulholland Drive (2001) and the horror film Inland Empire (2006). He also appeared in films such as Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), American Psycho (2000), Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Strangers with Candy (2005), Miami Vice (2006), Wanderlust (2012), The Girl on the Train (2016), The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), On the Basis of Sex (2018), Bumblebee (2018), Lady and the Tramp (2019), and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024).

Theroux was a screenwriter for films such as the action comedy Tropic Thunder (2008), the superhero film Iron Man 2 (2010), and the musical comedy drama Rock of Ages (2012). He made his directorial debut with the romantic comedy film Dedication (2007).

Theroux starred as Kevin Garvey in the HBO mystery drama series The Leftovers (2014–2017), for which he received widespread praise and was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He also starred as Dr. James Mantleray in the Netflix comedy drama miniseries Maniac (2018). From 2021 to 2023, he portrayed Allie Fox in the Apple TV+ adaptation of The Mosquito Coast, based on the novel by his uncle Paul Theroux. In 2023, he also starred in the HBO satirical political miniseries White House Plumbers.

Early life

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Theroux was born on August 10, 1971, in Washington, D.C. His mother, Phyllis Grissim Theroux, is an essayist and author, and his father, Eugene Albert Theroux (b. 1938), is a lawyer at Baker & McKenzie in Washington.[4][5] Theroux is the nephew of the travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux,[6][7] novelist and poet Alexander Theroux, author Peter Theroux, and novelist and educator Joseph Theroux; he is the cousin of British journalists and documentary filmmakers Louis and Marcel Theroux. His father is of half French-Canadian and half Italian descent. Through his mother, Theroux is a great-great-grandson of financier, banker and railroad magnate H. B. Hollins,[8][9] and of music critic and author Gustav Kobbé.[10][11][12]

Theroux attended Lafayette Elementary School, Annunciation School, and the Field School.[13] He first started acting while in high school at the Buxton School, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He graduated from Bennington College in 1993 with a B.A. in visual arts and drama.[14]

Career

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Theroux made his film debut in 1996 in Mary Harron's I Shot Andy Warhol. Since then he has performed both on Broadway, starring in Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme; in numerous off-Broadway productions; and in comedy films such as Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Baxter, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Broken Hearts Club, and Zoolander.

The stars and director of the film Mulholland Drive at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. Left to right: actor Naomi Watts, director David Lynch, and actors Laura Harring and Justin Theroux

Theroux has also performed in more serious films such as American Psycho. He appeared in the film versions of the cult television shows Strangers With Candy and Michael Mann's Miami Vice. He starred in David Lynch's films Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire.

In 2003, Theroux was featured in a music video for the British band Muse for their song "Hysteria". Theroux also has appeared on television, having starred in The District and appeared on episodes of shows such as Alias, Ally McBeal, Sex and the City (in which he guest starred in two episodes as different characters), and Six Feet Under (in which he played a recurring character in the third and fourth seasons).

In 2006, Theroux directed his first film, Dedication, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. A fan of the band Deerhoof, Theroux chose them to score Dedication.[15] Theroux also had roles in two other films at the festival, Broken English and The Ten, in which he played Jesus Christ alongside Gretchen Mol. Theroux co-wrote the Ben Stiller film Tropic Thunder, and also appeared in the behind-the-scenes mockumentary Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness.

Theroux at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival

In 2008, Theroux played John Hancock in the HBO miniseries John Adams. In 2009, Theroux made up part of the voice cast for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. He also played Justin in Parks and Recreation. Theroux wrote the screenplay for the 2010 film Iron Man 2. Following Theroux's work on Tropic Thunder, actor Robert Downey Jr. recommended Theroux as a screenwriter to the film's director, Jon Favreau.

Theroux returned to acting in the film Your Highness (2011), as Leezar, an evil wizard who kidnaps a princess. He starred in the 2012 comedy Wanderlust, playing the leader of a hippie commune. By August 2012, Theroux was hired to direct and rewrite the script for the comedy film Swear to God.[16]

In June 2013, Theroux was cast as the lead character in HBO's TV pilot The Leftovers,[17] which HBO ordered as a 10-episode season in September 2013.[18] The series, which premiered June 29, 2014, is based on a book of the same name by Tom Perrotta, which follows a group of people left behind in the suburban community of Mapleton after mysterious disappearances worldwide. Theroux received widespread critical acclaim for his performance throughout the three seasons.[19]

Theroux co-wrote the sequel Zoolander 2 (2016), and reprised his role, Evil DJ, in the film.[20]

Theroux also voiced the character The Evil Lord Garmadon in the 2017 film The Lego Ninjago Movie.

In 2018, Theroux played savant neurochemist James Mantleray in the 2018 Netflix comedy drama miniseries Maniac opposite Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.

In 2019, Theroux produced the ABC television event Live in Front of a Studio Audience alongside Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel and Will Ferrell. Theroux received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for producing the event. He also voiced Tramp in the Disney+ live-action film Lady and the Tramp, a remake of the 1955 film with the same name.

In 2021, Theroux portrayed brilliant inventor and stubborn idealist Allie Fox in the Apple TV+ television series The Mosquito Coast, a television adaptation from the 1981 novel of the same name written by Paul Theroux, Justin Theroux's uncle. Theroux also served as executive producer for the series.[21]

In 2024, Theroux co-stars in the Beetlejuice (1988) sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.[22]

Personal life

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Theroux was in a relationship with stylist and costume designer Heidi Bivens from 1997 until 2011.[23] Theroux began dating actress Jennifer Aniston in 2011 after working with her on the film Wanderlust.[24] They became engaged in August 2012,[24] and got married on August 5, 2015.[25] On February 15, 2018, Theroux and Aniston announced they had separated at the end of 2017.[26] In August 2024, Theroux became engaged to Nicole Brydon Bloom.

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1996 I Shot Andy Warhol Mark
1997 Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Clarence
Below Utopia Daniel Beckett
Dream House Mark Brooks
1998 Frogs for Snakes Flav Santana
Dead Broke James
2000 American Psycho Timothy Bryce
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy Marshall
2001 The Sleepy Time Gal Rebecca's Boyfriend
Mulholland Drive Adam Kesher
Zoolander Evil DJ
2002 Peel Narrator Voice, short film
2003 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Seamus O'Grady
Duplex Coop
Happy End Jack
2005 Strangers with Candy Carlo Honklin
The Baxter Bradley Lake
The Legend of Lucy Keyes Guy Cooley
2006 Return to Rajapur Jeremy Reardon
Miami Vice Detective Larry Zito
Inland Empire Devon Berk / Billy Side
2007 Broken English Nick Gable
The Ten Jesus H. Christ
Dedication None Director and executive producer
2008 Tropic Thunder UH-1 Huey gunner, Evil DJ (deleted scene) Cameo; also writer and executive producer
2010 Megamind Megamind's Father Voice; also creative consultant
Iron Man 2 None Writer
Ultimate Iron Man: The Making of 'Iron Man 2' Himself Documentary
2011 Your Highness Leezar
2012 Wanderlust Seth
Rock of Ages None Writer
2016 Zoolander 2 Evil DJ Also writer
The Girl on the Train Tom Watson
The Master Narrator Voice, short film
2017 The Lego Ninjago Movie Lord Garmadon Voice
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Master Codebreaker Cameo appearance
2018 Mute Duck Teddington
The Spy Who Dumped Me Drew Thayer
On the Basis of Sex Mel Wulf
Bumblebee Dropkick Voice
2019 Joker Ethan Chase Uncredited cameo
Lady and the Tramp Tramp Voice
2021 Violet The Voice Voice
False Positive Adrian Martin
2024 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Rory

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 C.P.W. Gary Andrews Episode: "Stephanie and the Wolves"
1998 New York Undercover Frankie Stone 3 episodes
Ally McBeal Raymond Brown Episode: "Just Looking"
Spin City Pete Episode: "Local Hero"
Bronx County Unknown Pilot
1998–1999 Sex and the City Jared / Vaughn Wysel 2 episodes
1999 Sirens Officer David Bontempo Television film
2000–2001 The District Nick Pierce 27 episodes
2003 Alias Simon Walker 2 episodes
2003–2004 Six Feet Under Joe 8 episodes
2005 Confessions of a Dog Unknown Pilot
2008 John Adams John Hancock 2 episodes
2010 Parks and Recreation Justin Anderson 4 episodes
2011 Documental Jan Jurgen Pilot; also director and writer
2014–2017 The Leftovers Kevin Garvey 25 episodes
2016 Zoolander: Super Model None Television film; executive producer
2017–2020 At Home with Amy Sedaris Various characters 3 episodes
2018 Maniac Dr. James K. Mantleray 9 episodes
2019 Live in Front of a Studio Audience None Television specials; executive producer
Rick and Morty Miles Knightly Voice, episode: "One Crew over the Crewcoo's Morty"
2021–2023 The Mosquito Coast Allie Fox Main role; also executive producer
2023 White House Plumbers G. Gordon Liddy Main role; also executive producer

Audio

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2023 White House Plumbers Podcast Himself 4 Episodes

Awards and nominations

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List of awards and nominations received by Theroux.[27]

Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
2005
 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Six Feet Under Nominated [28]
2016 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Drama Series The Leftovers Nominated [29]
Dorian Awards TV Performance of the Year – actor Nominated [30]
2017 IGN Summer Movie Awards Best Dramatic TV Performance Nominated [31]
Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Actor in a Drama Series Won [32]
2019
 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Special (Live) Live in Front of a Studio Audience Won [33]
2020
 Won [34]
2022
 Nominated [35]
2024
 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries White House Plumbers Nominated [36]

References

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  1. ^ Sullivan, Eric (April 15, 2021). "Justin Theroux Is Turning 50. He's Figured a Few Things Out". Esquire. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Justin Theroux". Celebrity Watchlist. IMDb. February 16, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "Justin Theroux Biography: Screenwriter, Actor, Director (1971–)". Biography.com. A&E Networks. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  4. ^ Marchand, Philip (November 21, 1998). "Odd Authors? It Takes One to Know One". Archived from the original (1) on November 5, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  5. ^ Arnold, Gary (October 12, 2001). "Smoke and Mirrors". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Hines, Barbara (September 14, 1980). "Letters – Lowells and Sitwells Questions of Gender The Wrong Theroux Cats" (title abstract only). The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  7. ^ "Biography". Paultheroux.com. n.d. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  8. ^ "HollinsGrissim" (title abstract only). The New York Times. n.d. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  9. ^ May, Hal (2011). Contemporary Authors New Revision Series – A Bio-Bibliographical Guide to Current Writers in Fiction, General Non-Fiction, Poetry, Journalism, Drama, Motion Pictures, Television, & Other Fields. Gale Research. ISBN 978-1-414-46106-9. Retrieved August 13, 2012.[page needed]
  10. ^ "Mrs.Hollins Web in Reno – Daughter of Mrs. Gustav Kobbe Is Bride of Henry Morgan" (abstract). The New York Times. November 5, 1937. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  11. ^ "Hewlett – Schoonmacher Wedding" (abstract (click "preview" for full article in PDF format)). The New York Times. October 23, 1909. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  12. ^ "Marriage Announcement 1 – No Title" (abstract (click "preview" for full article in PDF format)). The New York Times. November 19, 1909. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  13. ^ Chaney, Jen (May 5, 2010). "Talking with Justin Theroux, Writer of 'Iron Man 2'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 6, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  14. ^ "Meet Justin Theroux, Jennifer Aniston's new man". USA Today. June 6, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  15. ^ "Excl: Justin Theroux Has Dedication". ComingSoon.net. August 21, 2007. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  16. ^ Fleming, Mike (August 9, 2012). "Justin Theroux To Helm 'Swear To God' With Will Ferrell And Steve Carell". Deadline Hollywood. PMC Digital Media. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  17. ^ West, Kelly (June 4, 2013). "Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot The Leftovers Casts Justin Theroux". cinemablend.com. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 16, 2013). "Damon Lindelof's 'The Leftovers' Gets Series Order At HBO". Deadline Hollywood. PMC Digital Media. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  19. ^ "The Leftovers Episode List". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  20. ^ "Justin Theroux to Co-Write and Direct 'Zoolander 2'". Collider.com. February 24, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  21. ^ Ausiello, Michael (November 4, 2019). "Melissa George Joins Justin Theroux in Mosquito Coast at Apple TV+". TVLine. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  22. ^ Rosenbloom, Alli (November 30, 2023). "Tim Burton says 'Beetlejuice 2' has officially wrapped production". CNN. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  23. ^ "Five Things to Know About Justin Theroux's Ex-Girlfriend, Heidi Bivens". eonline.com. June 14, 2011.
  24. ^ a b Jordan, Julie (August 12, 2012). "Jennifer Aniston Is Engaged to Justin Theroux!". People. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  25. ^ Zauzmer, Emily (August 6, 2015). "Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Are Married!". People. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  26. ^ Kohen, Sandy (February 15, 2018). "Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux announce separation". Associated Press. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  27. ^ "Justin Theroux". IMDb. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  28. ^ "Nominations announced for the 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild. January 11, 2005. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  29. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 14, 2015). "Critics' Choice Awards Nominations: 'Mad Max' Leads Film; ABC, HBO, FX Networks & 'Fargo' Top TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  30. ^ "Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) (2016)". IMDb. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  31. ^ "IGN Summer Movie Awards (2017)". IMDb. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  32. ^ "21st Annual TV Awards (2016–17) – Online Film & Television Association". www.oftaawards.com. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  33. ^ "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  34. ^ "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  35. ^ "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "The Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes"". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  36. ^ Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (January 14, 2024). "Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Bear lead 2024 Critics Choice Awards: See the full winners list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
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