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Who is Jeff Goldblum?
Jeff Goldblum is an accomplished actor known for his versatile roles across film, television, and theater. His acting career spans several decades, with notable performances in iconic films such as The Fly, Jurassic Park, Independence Day, and Morning Glory. Goldblum has also made significant contributions to television, most notably with a role on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. More recently, he has appeared in major blockbuster films, including Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).
Early Life and Career
Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum was born on October 22, 1952, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From a young age, Goldblum harbored a passion for acting, though he initially kept this ambition to himself. As a teenager, he had the opportunity to take drama classes at Carnegie Mellon University during summer sessions. At the age of 17, Goldblum moved to New York City, where he studied under renowned acting coach Sanford Meisner.
Goldblum’s early career began with small roles in stage productions before he transitioned into film. He made his film debut in the mid-1970s with appearances in Death Wish (1974), California Split (1974), Nashville (1975), and Annie Hall (1977). He continued to build his resume with roles in films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) and Threshold (1981), as well as television projects, including the movie The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1980), where he portrayed Ichabod Crane, and the detective series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1980). His career reached a pivotal point when he co-starred in the critically acclaimed 1983 drama The Big Chill, alongside Glenn Close, William Hurt, and Meg Tilly.
Movies, TV, and Stage Work
Geena Davis and The Fly
Jeff Goldblum’s partnership with actress Geena Davis began in 1985, when the two starred together in the horror-comedy Transylvania 6-5000. Their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a romance, and the couple married in 1987. They later reunited for David Cronenberg’s 1986 remake of the horror classic The Fly. Goldblum’s portrayal of a scientist undergoing a terrifying physical and psychological transformation earned critical acclaim. The pair also co-starred in the colorful extraterrestrial comedy Earth Girls Are Easy (1989). Though they divorced in 1990, Davis and Goldblum remain close friends.
‘Jurassic Park’ and Independence Day
Goldblum’s career continued to soar with starring roles in two of the 1990s’ biggest blockbusters. In Jurassic Park (1993), directed by Steven Spielberg, he played Ian Malcolm, a charismatic and slightly sarcastic mathematician. He reprised the role in the 1997 sequel The Lost World. During this time, he briefly dated co-star Laura Dern. In 1996, Goldblum portrayed a computer expert in the sci-fi action film Independence Day, alongside Will Smith. The film grossed over $800 million globally, and Goldblum returned for its 2016 sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence. In addition to his blockbuster success, Goldblum received an Academy Award nomination for his work on the live-action short film Little Surprises (1996).
While Goldblum’s involvement in major films continued, he intentionally diversified his career by taking on a variety of roles in independent films, comedies, and thrillers. He starred alongside Susan Sarandon in the acclaimed dark comedy Igby Goes Down (2002) and played a rival oceanographer in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). His extensive filmography also includes Fay Grim (2007), The Switch (2010), and Morning Glory (2010).
‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’
Goldblum expanded his work on television with a notable guest-starring role on NBC’s Will & Grace in 2005, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. In 2009, he joined the cast of Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Detective Zack Nichols. Goldblum has also built a respected reputation in the theater, performing in acclaimed productions such as The Pillowman, Seminar, and a London revival of Neil Simon’s The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Goldblum entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2017 with a memorable role as The Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok. The following year, he reprised his iconic role as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Additionally, he teamed up once more with director Wes Anderson to voice a character in the stop-motion animated film Isle of Dogs (2018).
‘The World According to Jeff Goldblum’
In 2019, Goldblum took on a new venture with Disney+, hosting the documentary series The World According to Jeff Goldblum. The series featured Goldblum exploring topics that have fascinated him throughout his life, such as sneaker culture and the tattoo community, all while showcasing his characteristic curiosity and quirky humor.
Wife and Personal Life
Goldblum married Canadian-born Olympic gymnast Emilie Livingston in 2014, 30 years his junior. The couple has two sons, Charlie Ocean (born 2015) and River Joe (born 2017). Previously, Goldblum was married to Patricia Gaul (1980-1986), his co-star from Silverado, and to Geena Davis (1987-1990). Outside of acting, Goldblum teaches at Playhouse West in Los Angeles, a theater he co-founded in the early 1980s. He is also a passionate jazz pianist, performing both as a solo artist and with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.