Sam Rockwell was born on November 5, 1968 in San Mateo, California. He was raised by his father after his parents divorced. At the age of 10 he made his stage debut in a comedy sketch where he played Humphrey Bogart. Although he went to the San Francisco School of the Arts he dropped out. He went to an alternative high school which helped him in being interested in acting. He acted in an independent film and after graduating moved to New York. His first film role was in Clownhouse (1989). He appeared in small roles on TV Shows (NYPD BLUE, Law & Order) and movies (Last Exit to Brooklyn, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). He still struggled making ends meet, but slowly started becoming better known. He acted in Galaxy Quest, A Midsumer Night’s Dream and Charlie’s Angels. His role in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Matchstick men further helped him cement a place in Hollywood. He has since starred in a lot of big movies, but has also been appearing in independent movies.
From left to right: Clownhouse, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Strictly Business, In The Soup, Jack and His Friends, Light Sleeper, Somebody to Love, The Search for One-eye Jimmy, Drunks, Glory Daze, Mercy, Basquiat, Box of Moon Light, Lawn Dogs, Jerry and Tom, Safe Men, Celebrity, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Green Mile, Galaxy Quest, Charlie’s Angels, BigLove, Made, Heist, 13 Moons, Welcome to Collinwood, Stella, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Matchstick Men, Piccadilly Jim, Robin’s Big Date, Joshua, Snow Angels, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Woman in Burka, Choke, Frost/Nixon, The Winning Season, Moon, Gentlemen Broncos, Everybody’s Fine, F–K, Cowboys & Aliens, The Sitter, Napoleon Dynamite, Seven Psychopaths, The Way Way Back, A Single Shot, Better Living Through Chemistry.
What’s your favorite Sam Rockwell role?
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Right now, this guy is one of the best actors working today. There’s no smugness about him as well as the fact that he doesn’t take himself so seriously.
Moon is his crowning achievement so far while I was really amazed at how caring he was in The Way, Way Back as I feel he was overlooked at the Oscars. He’s also great in Snow Angels and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford as the latter is another film that is overlooked with Rockwell really stealing the film from everyone by doing so little.
Agree with you on that. He puts everything into his roles. Way Way back was such a funny and cool role. Agree with Assasination of Jess James…a role that you can’t forget.
Aaah! So many to choose from. Such a great actor. The first time I came across him was in Lawn Dogs and new straight away he had it. My favourites would probably be Moon and Galaxy Quest.
Yeah, he’s been in a lot of great things. Can not remember much of Galaxy Quest, guess it needs revisiting.
That’s an intensive list of movies he has made, but he should be in more movies! He’s a versatile actor, and is one of the best working in the industry today. I’ve seen some not so good movies where he’s part of the cast, but he still shines in those.
That’s not even all movies because I could not find images for all of them. He always gives solid performances.
Rockwell is awesome. I always look forward to seeing him in a movie. I think Moon is his best work, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the hell out of him in Seven Psychopaths.
Love Moon, he really shines there.
LOVE him! One of my favorite character actors, I always enjoyed his performance no matter how small the role. Have you seen Conviction? It’s not the greatest movie but Rockwell’s really good in it, as well as Hillary Swank.
Can’t remember seeing Conviction. Will add it to my ever growing to watch list.
Seems we think alike sir! I wrote a blog last year about how under appreciated Rockwell truly is. I would say my favorite is Moon and the Way Way Back. Here is my blog if you would like to read it:
http://mummblesrantings.blogspot.com/2013/08/rockwell.html
Thanks, will check that one out.
I love Sam Rockwell. I still think he was robbed of an Oscar nomination for Moon. That’s probably my favorite role of his. I like Seven Psychopaths, Choke and Lawn Dogs too.
It is a shame he has not won one yet, let’s hope he will in the future. The man deserves one.
I’ve just got to agree with what everybody else has been saying; he’s a great actor and I love him in Moon.
My personal favourite is The Way, Way Back.
Yeah, he is awesome in that movie….you are kind of waiting for the scenes starring him as it’s so enjoyable
One of my favourite actors. I adore him. I wish he got more awards attention for The Way Way Back.
I love everything he does, its so hard to chose!
Its between Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and The Way Way Back.
Agree there are many great roles to choose from. Yeah, I wouldn’t have minded if he had received awards for that role.
There are so many to choose from. 🙂
My favorite, though, is probably a toss up between Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Seven Psychopaths.
Great choices!
First movie I saw him in was probably Galaxy Quest. I still think that’s probably my favorite.
It’s been too long since I last seen that, so I don’t remember him in it.
One of my favourite actors at the moment, he’s always brilliant every time I see him. Love him in Moon and thought he was amazing in The Way Way Back.
Yeah, he is a joy to watch.