JOHN CUSACK (Ed) is one of Hollywood's most versatile young actors. He earned rave reviews for his portrayal of a clever young con-artist in Stephen Frears' "The Grifters" and received critical accolades for his performances in "Eight Men Out," "Say Anything" and "The Sure Thing." He also made memorable cameo appearances in Robert Altman's Hollywood satire "The Player" and Tim Robbins' political comedy "Bob Roberts." With several movies completed and others in production, Cusack joins the ranks of Hollywood's busiest actors.
Cusack recently completed production on "Max" for director Menno Meyjes. Cusack portrays Max Rothman, a celebrated gallery owner who meets a fellow war veteran and aspiring artist, Adolf Hitler and encourages him to paint. The film will be released in Summer 2002 by Lions Gate.
Cusack was most recently seen in Miramax’s romantic comedy, "Serendipity." Directed by Peter Chelsom from a script by Marc Klein, Cusack starred as half a couple that reunite a decade after the fateful night that they fell in love and then separated. Kate Beckinsale, Molly Shannon and Jeremy Piven also starred.
Recently, Cusack starred opposite Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Billy Crystal in "America’s Sweethearts" for Sony Pictures. Produced and directed by Joe Roth, "America’s Sweethearts" focused on a Hollywood couple in the middle of a divorce while promoting a movie together.
Cusack also starred in the critically acclaimed feature version of Nick Hornby's English novel, "High Fidelity," for Touchstone Pictures. The film focuses on a Chicago slacker record storeowner who is trying to win back his ex-girlfriend. As well as starring as the slacker, Cusack co-produced and co-wrote "High Fidelity" with his New Crime partners Steve Pink and D.V. DeVicentis. The film starred Jack Black, Iben Hjejle, and Lisa Bonet.
In 1999, Cusack starred in the critically praised dark comedy "Being John Malkovich" for USA Films. Cusack portrayed Craig, a puppeteer who finds a door in his office that allows him to enter the mind of and literally become the actor John Malkovich for 15 minutes. He then exploits the findings to gain love, fame and power. Malkovich portrayed himself alongside Catherine Keener and Cameron Diaz in the film directed by Spike Jonze. Cusack’s performance garnered an Independent Spirit Award nomination in the category of Best Actor. Cusack also co-starred in "Cradle Will Rock," an ensemble drama written and directed by Tim Robbins for Touchstone Pictures. The story revolves around a stage musical banned by the government in the 1930's and the group of eccentric artists determined to mount the musical despite overwhelming odds. Cusack portrayed Nelson Rockefeller opposite an ensemble cast that included Emily Watson, Cary Elwes, Angus McFadden, Susan Sarandon, Hank Azaria, John Turturro, Ruben Blades and Vanessa Redgrave.
Also that year, Cusack starred in "The Jack Bull," a traditional Western written by his father Dick Cusack, for HBO. In addition to starring in the film, John served as executive producer along with Steve Pink and D.V. DeVicentis under their New Crime Productions banner. John portrayed a Wyoming horse trader who took on a fellow rancher after he abused two of his horses and the Crow Indian man who cared for them.
In early 1999, he was also seen starring with Billy Bob Thornton in Fox 2000's "Pushing Tin," a comedy about the angst of air traffic controllers. The film was directed by Mike Newell and also starred Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie.
In December 1998, Cusack appeared in the World War II combat epic "The Thin Red Line," based on the James Jones novel about the battle of Guadalcanal. Directed by Terrence Malick for 20th Century Fox, the ensemble cast included George Clooney, Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte, Gary Oldman, Sean Penn, Bill Pullman and John Travolta.
In 1997, Cusack starred opposite Joan Cusack, Dan Aykroyd and Minnie Driver in Buena Vista Pictures "Grosse Pointe Blank." He received rave reviews for the comedy that he also produced and co-wrote about a hit man who goes through a spiritual crisis during his high school reunion. Cusack produced the film under the aegis of his New Crime Productions. This was the first of many projects which New Crime intends to develop and produce under their banner.
Also in 1997, Cusack starred with Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich and Steve Buscemi in Buena Vista's blockbuster "Con Air." Directed by Simon West, Cusack portrayed U.S. Marshal, Agent Vince Larkin. Later that year he starred with Kevin Spacey in the Warner Bros. feature, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," directed by Clint Eastwood. Based on John Berendt's nonfiction best-seller of the same name, Cusack portrayed John Kelso, the movie version of the author/narrator. Additionally, Cusack lent his voice to FOX's full-length animated feature, "Anastasia." Cusack's voice brought life to the animated character Dimitri, opposite the voices of Meg Ryan as Anastasia, Christopher Lloyd as Rasputin and Kelsey Grammer as Vladimir. Based on a Russian Fairy Tale, the film is about a young Princess on a quest to discover her true identity.
In 1995, Cusack starred opposite Al Pacino in Castle Rock's political thriller "City Hall," directed by Harold Becker for Columbia Pictures. In 1994, he re-teamed with Woody Allen, who cast him in the 1991 film "Shadows and Fog," to portray playwright David Shayne in the acclaimed "Bullets Over Broadway" for Miramax. The ensemble cast included Chazz Palmintieri, Jennifer Tilly, Dianne Wiest and Tracey Ullman, among others. His other feature film credits include "Tapeheads," "Fat Man and Little Boy," "Map of the Human Heart," "Postcards from the Edge," "True Colors," "Money for Nothing," and "Road to Welville."
In addition to his film work, he founded New Crime Theater Company. The company, which is based in Chicago, is the foremost avant-garde theater company next to The Steppenwolf Company. He has directed four plays with this group, including Alagazam...After the Dog Years and Methusalem, which won him a Jeff Citation for Best Director at Chicago's famed Joseph Jefferson Awards. The production also won awards for Best Original Music and Best Costume Design. He has also directed Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Currently, Cusack, along with his New Crime Productions partners, writers Steve Pink and D.V. DeVincentis, have a first-look deal with New Line Cinema to develop, write and produce films, in some of which Cusack will star.
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