Logo What's After the Movie
John Carroll Lynch

What's After the Movie

John Carroll Lynch

John Carroll Lynch, born August 1, 1963, is an American character actor and film director. He gained prominence for his role as Norm Gunderson in Fargo (1996) and is notable for his work on popular ABC sitcom The Drew Carey Show (1997–2004) where he played the title character's cross-dressing brother, Steve Carey. Lynch's remarkable acting career continued to flourish with other popular TV series like American Horror Story (2014–2019) where he played the breakout character Twisty the Clown. His filmography includes notable movies like Face/Off (1997), Zodiac (2007), Gran Torino (2008), Shutter Island (2010), Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), Ted 2 (2015), The Invitation (2015), The Founder (2016), and The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020). In addition to his acting, Lynch made his directorial debut with the 2017 film Lucky.

Lynch's early life traces back to Boulder, Colorado. His education included studying theater at The Catholic University of America, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1986. His acting career includes memorable stint with the Guthrie Theater company where he starred in several productions before making his feature film debut in Grumpy Old Men (1993). From theater to silver screen, his journey has been marked with powerful performances. In 2018, Lynch was also seen in the lead role of Bud Carl in the CBS All Access drama One Dollar and most recently, he played the lead role of Rick Legarski in ABC crime drama series Big Sky (2020).

28 movies
1 nomination

Explore the best of John Carroll Lynch – top movies, iconic roles, and must-see performances!

Biography, Career & Filmography

Learn more about John Carroll Lynch, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how John Carroll Lynch rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.


Given Name: John Carroll Lynch

Born: Boulder, Colorado, U.S.

Citizenship: American

Birthday: August 1, 1963

Occupations: Actor, director, screenwriter

Years Active: 1990-present

Spouses: Brenda Wehle

Awards and Nominations Received by John Carroll Lynch

Explore awards

Explore the awards, honors, and nominations John Carroll Lynch has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.


27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2021

Win

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

The Trial of the Chicago 7

© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.