Wallace Shawn

Wallace Michael Shawn, an American actor, essayist, playwright, and screenwriter, is best known for his roles as Vizzini in The Princess Bride, Mr. Hall in Clueless, Dr. John Sturgis in Young Sheldon, and the voice of Rex in the Toy Story franchise. Shawn's acting career spans various notable films such as The Bostonians, Prick Up Your Ears, Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills, My Favorite Martian, The Double, Maggie's Plan, and Marriage Story. He also made appearances in six Woody Allen films and had recurring roles in The Cosby Show, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Gossip Girl, and Evil. Beyond acting, Shawn is also a celebrated playwright, with his plays like Aunt Dan and Lemon, The Designated Mourner, and Grasses of a Thousand Colors receiving acclaim. He wrote and starred in the 1981 avant-garde drama My Dinner with Andre and played the title role in A Master Builder, a film adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's play. Shawn has also made significant contributions as an author, with Haymarket Books publishing his Essays and Night Thoughts.

Shawn, born to a Jewish family in New York City, grew up in Manhattan's Upper East Side. He studied at The Putney School, a private liberal arts high school before earning a Bachelor of Arts in history from Harvard College. He studied philosophy, politics, economics, and Latin at Magdalen College, Oxford, initially aspiring to be a diplomat. His career began as a playwright, with his early plays painting vivid portraits of emotional and sexual conflicts. His later plays were more political in nature, reflecting his own worldview and creating a dialogue around governments and social classes. As an actor, he has played a diverse array of roles, from comedic characters like Mr. Hall in Clueless, to dramatic roles such as his portrayal in My Dinner with Andre. Shawn's talent extends to voice acting, with his notable roles in animated films and television series, including the Toy Story franchise and Kingdom Hearts III. Outside of his artistic endeavors, Shawn is also known for his political activity, often weaving his socialist beliefs into his work.