What's After the Movie
Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Stephen Dreyfuss, born October 29, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York, is an American actor who became popular during the New Hollywood wave of American cinema and was known for his robust performances in various leading roles during the 1970s. His success and talent were marked by an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe Award. He gained recognition for his roles in American Graffiti (1973), The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974), Jaws (1975), and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Dreyfuss' award-winning portrayal of Elliot Garfield in The Goodbye Girl (1977) won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. His work spanned several other renowned titles such as The Competition (1980), Stand by Me (1986), Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), and W. (2008) and many more.
Originating from Brooklyn, his family had Russian and Polish roots and was from Rzeszow. Dreyfuss' had a multisided career, having appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in repertory, and improvisational theater. Beginning his acting in a young age, at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Arts Center and then starring on various TV shows of the time. He landed roles in key productions including the George Lucas hit American Graffiti. Dreyfuss has been struggling with drug addiction during the 1980s but later managed a successful comeback. In addition to movies, he has been known to appear in television, such as his role in The Education of Max Bickford. He made his West End debut in 1999 and put on notable performances in many plays. His contributions weren't just limited to acting, he made efforts to revive civics education, founded The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative, and has been an active advocate for the values like the right to privacy, freedom of speech, democracy and individual accountability.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Richard Dreyfuss, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Richard Dreyfuss rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Richard Stephen Dreyfuss
Born: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: October 29, 1947
Occupations: Actor, Producer
Years Active: 1964-present
Children: 3
Spouses: Jeramie Rain, Janelle Lacey, Svetlana Erokhin
External Links and Streaming Options
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Awards and Nominations Received by Richard Dreyfuss
Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Richard Dreyfuss 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.
Movies Featuring Richard Dreyfuss
American Graffiti
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
James and the Giant Peach
The Last Laugh
Stakeout
Book Club
My Life in Ruins
Jaws
Always
Down and Out in Beverly Hills
The Crew
Night Falls on Manhattan
Mr. Holland's Opus
The Goodbye Girl
Poseidon
Let It Ride
Piranha 3-D
What About Bob?
Murder at Yellowstone City
Asher
Daughter of the Wolf
Sweetwater
Astronaut
Bayou Caviar
Tin Men
Another Stakeout
Every Last One of Them
Crime Story
Into the Deep
Coma
Jaws: The Inside Story
Milius
And the Oscar Goes To…
Squatters
Madoff
Shots Fired
Spielberg
The Old Man Who Read Love Stories
The Making of ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome
The Day Reagan Was Shot
The John Garfield Story
Coast to Coast
A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope
Fail Safe
Walking the Tracks: The Summer of Stand by Me
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex ’n’ Drugs ’n’ Rock ’n’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood
The Adventures of Errol Flynn
AFI: 100 Years… 100 Movies… 10th Anniversary Edition
Ocean of Fear
Tin Man
The Johnstown Flood
The Man Who Shot Chinatown: The Life and Work of John A. Alonzo
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
Once Around
Prisoner of Honor
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
The Buddy System
Night of 100 Stars II
The Competition
Citizen Steve
Moon Over Parador
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
Nuts
Boffo! Tinseltown’s Bombs and Blockbusters
Nazis at Nuremberg: The Lost Testimony
Silent Fall
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
Lincoln
The Second Coming of Suzanne
Mad Dog Time
In the Teeth of Jaws
Oliver Twist
The Making of ‘American Graffiti’
It’s Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein
Hello Down There
Victory at Entebbe
Krippendorf’s Tribe
The Lightkeepers
The Last Word
The Making of ‘Jaws’
The Big Fix
I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale
The Universal Story
Lost in Yonkers
Waltzing with Brando
Frank Capra’s American Dream
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story
Dillinger
The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of “Jaws”
The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Richard Dreyfuss, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2009
My Life in Ruins
The Lightkeepers
Seth
I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale
Self
The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of “Jaws”
Self
2007
AFI: 100 Years… 100 Movies… 10th Anniversary Edition
Self
Ocean of Fear
Narrator
The Man Who Shot Chinatown: The Life and Work of John A. Alonzo
Self
2004
Coast to Coast
Barnaby Pierce
A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope
Narrator
2003
The John Garfield Story
Self
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex ’n’ Drugs ’n’ Rock ’n’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood
Self
The Johnstown Flood
narrator
2001
The Old Man Who Read Love Stories
The Making of ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’
Self
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys
Scoop the Snowman (voice)
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome
Self
The Day Reagan Was Shot
Alexander Haig
1997
Night Falls on Manhattan
In the Teeth of Jaws
Self
Oliver Twist
Fagin
Frank Capra’s American Dream
Self
The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon
Narrator (voice)
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