Actor Wayne Knight turns 69
His signature role remains that of Newman in “Seinfeld”, but he also has starred in several Hollywood blockbusters throughout his career and given voice to animated characters
Actor Wayne Knight turns 69
Best known for his character Newman in the 1990’s hit TV sitcom “Seinfeld”, the actor Wayne Knight was bornWayne Elliot Knight was born on August 7, 1955, in New York City, New York. Raised in Cartersville, Georgia, Knight developed an early interest in acting. He attended the University of Georgia but left before completing his degree to pursue a career in theater. He later received an honorary degree from the university in recognition of his achievements in the entertainment industry.
Knight’s acting career began on stage with the Barter Theatre in Virginia and subsequently in New York City. His talent and dedication soon earned him roles in Broadway productions, including the 1979 revival of “Gemini” and “Mastergate” (1989). His transition from stage to screen began with small roles in films such as “Dirty Dancing” (1987), where he played a resort worker, and “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989), directed by Oliver Stone.
Wayne Knight’s breakthrough role came in 1992 when he was cast as Newman, the scheming postal worker neighbor of Jerry Seinfeld, on the hit sitcom “Seinfeld.” His character’s antagonistic relationship with Jerry and memorable catchphrases made him a fan favorite. Knight’s comedic timing and unique portrayal of Newman turned him into a beloved figure in the show, which remains one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. During that period, he also appeared in another Oliver Stone film “JFK” (1991) and the 1992 movie “Basic Instinct” where he played one of the characters in the famous Sharon Stone’s interrogation scene.
Following his success on “Seinfeld,” Knight continued to secure significant roles in both film and television. He is well-known for his role as Dennis Nedry, the bumbling computer programmer in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster “Jurassic Park” (1993) that earned him a nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor.
During the rest of the 1990s-decade, Knight also appeared in a variety of other films, including “Space Jam” (1996), “Toy Story 2” (1999) as the voice of Al McWhiggin, and “Rat Race” (2001). On television, he had a recurring role as Officer Don Orville on the sitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001), showcasing his versatility as a comedic actor.
In addition to his live-action roles, Knight has lent his voice to numerous animated projects, such as “Tarzan” (1999), where he voiced Tantor the elephant, and the television series “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness” (2011-2016). In recent years he he starred on the Netflix acclaimed series “Narcos” in 2017 and in the 2018 movie “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.”
Wayne Knight married makeup artist Paula Sutor in 1996, and the couple had one son before divorcing in 2003. In 2006, he married Clare De Chenu, with whom he has a son. Knight is known for his warm personality and down-to-earth demeanor, traits that have endeared him to colleagues and fans alike.
Today, Knight continues to appear in various roles across different media, and remains a beloved actor known for his distinctive voice and memorable performances.
Watch Wayne Knight in character as Newman in “Seinfeld”
Watch more movies related videos
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.
