Wayne Knight
Wayne Elliot Knight (born August 7, 1955) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for playing Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park (1993), Newman in Seinfeld (1992–1998), Al McWhiggin in Toy Story 2 (1999), and Tantor in Tarzan (1999). His other roles include Officer Don Orville in 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001), Stan Podolak in Space Jam (1996), Zack Mallozzi in Rat Race (2001), Jack O'Lantern in The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2000–2008), Evil Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000–2001), Dojo in Xiaolin Showdown (2003–2006), Mr. Blik in Catscratch (2005–2007), Microchip in Punisher: War Zone (2008) and Haskell Lutz in The Exes (2011–2015). He was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Jurassic Park.
Wayne Knight | |
|---|---|
 Knight in August 2013 | |
| Born | Wayne Elliot Knight August 7, 1955 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Georgia |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse(s) | Paula Sutor
( m. 1996; div. 2003)Clare de Chenu ( m. 2006) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | William Edward Knight Grace Monti |
Early life
Wayne Elliot Knight was born in New York City to a Catholic family.[1] His parents are textile factory supervisor William Edward Knight and Grace (Monti) Knight.[2][3] His father moved the family to Cartersville, Georgia, where he worked in the textile industry. Knight went to local schools and was a lineman on his high school's football team.[4] He attended the University of Georgia, but did not complete his degree until 2008.[5]
Although an honors student, Knight left college just one credit shy of completing his degree to pursue his acting career. He received an internship at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, which produced repertory works. After completing his internship, he joined the company and gained standing as an Equity actor. He subsequently moved to New York City and after two years landed his first role on Broadway.
After his time on Broadway, Knight also worked as a private investigator, for a period of five years.[6]
Career
Knight appeared in various films produced in the end of the 1980s, and beginning of the 1990s, including Dirty Dancing (1987), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), JFK (1991) and Basic Instinct (1992). He was the first actor cast in Jurassic Park after director Steven Spielberg saw his performance in Basic Instinct. Knight was cast as InGen Corporation's chief programmer for the park and secret spy for Biosyn, Dennis Nedry.
He also appeared in Dead Again, To Die For, and Space Jam. In the 1990s, Knight played supporting roles on two television series on NBC. He played the mailman Newman, Jerry's neighbour and nemesis in Seinfeld, and Officer Don Orville, Sally's love interest, in 3rd Rock from the Sun. He had earlier appeared in Against the Grain. He also appeared as a regular on two sketch comedy series, The Edge for Fox and Assaulted Nuts for Cinemax and Channel 4 in the United Kingdom.
Knight also appeared on Broadway in the plays Gemini, Mastergate, 'Art' and Sweet Charity with Christina Applegate.
Knight has done voice work for numerous animations, including the black cat Mr. Blik on the Nickelodeon cartoon Catscratch, Igor on the Fox Kids cartoon Toonsylvania, the dragon Dojo Kanojo Cho in the Kids' WB! animated series Xiaolin Showdown, Evil Emperor Zurg on Buzz Lightyear of Star Command on Toon Disney and Disney Channel; Al McWhiggin, the toy store manager of Al's Toy Barn, in Toy Story 2; Tantor the elephant in Tarzan, Demetrius the shopkeeper in Hercules, and the bug Juju on Tak and the Power of Juju. He made guest appearances on Billy & Mandy's Jacked-Up Halloween as Jack-O-Lantern, Dilbert as the Security Guard, and Brandy and Mr. Whiskers as Mr. Cantarious the snail.
Knight appeared on the pilot episode of the American version of Thank God You're Here. He made a second appearance on the last episode of the first season of the television series. He won the Thank God You're Here blue door award. He played the Punisher's techno sidekick Microchip in Punisher: War Zone. Knight guest stars in The Penguins of Madagascar as Max the Cat in the episodes "Launchtime" and "Cat's Cradle".
In November 2009, Knight reprised his role as the Seinfeld character Newman, for the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also guest starred on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Season 10, Episode "Working Stiffs".
Knight guest starred on an episode of 2010, of Fox TV's drama series Bones, in the first season of the TV Land comedy series Hot in Cleveland (2010), where he became a recurring character for season two, and on an episode of The Whole Truth in the fall of 2010.[7] He played an Internet fixated couch potato in the TV Land sitcom, The Exes. In the summer of 2011, he appeared in the BBC/Starz series Torchwood: Miracle Day as Brian Friedkin.[8]
Knight appeared as Santa in Elf: The Musical in November 2012. He previously appeared on Broadway in Art in 1999. In April 2012, Knight was featured in the romantic comedy, She Wants Me. In February 2014, Knight reprised the character Newman, during one commercial during the Super Bowl, alongside Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander. In December 2017, Knight was featured in an advertisement for KFC depicting Colonel Sanders.
Personal life
Knight married makeup artist Paula Sutor on May 26, 1996 in a ceremony held in fellow Seinfeld cast member Michael Richards' home.[9] The couple divorced by December 2003.[10] He married his second wife Clare de Chenu on October 15, 2006; together they have a son.[11] Knight is a Democrat; he attended the September 2012 Democratic National Convention in support of President Barack Obama's successful reelection.[12]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Wanderers | Waiter | Uncredited |
| 1987 | Dirty Dancing | Stan | |
| 1988 | Everybody's All-American | Fraternity Pisser | |
| 1989 | Born on the Fourth of July | Official #2 – Democratic Convention | |
| 1991 | V.I. Warshawski | Earl 'Bonehead' Smeissen | |
| 1991 | Dead Again | 'Piccolo' Pete Dugan | |
| 1991 | JFK | Numa Bertel | |
| 1992 | Basic Instinct | John Correli | |
| 1993 | Jurassic Park | Dennis Nedry | Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1995 | To Die For | Ed Grant | |
| 1995 | Chameleon | Stuart Langston | |
| 1996 | Space Jam | Stan Podolak | |
| 1997 | Hercules | Demetrius the Potmaker (voice) | |
| 1997 | For Richer or Poorer | Bob Lachmen | |
| 1998 | The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars | Microwave (voice) | Direct to video |
| 1998 | Soundman | Tim (voice) | |
| 1999 | My Favorite Martian | Zoot the Suit (voice) | Uncredited |
| 1999 | Pros & Cons | Wayne | |
| 1999 | Tarzan | Tantor (voice) | |
| 1999 | Toy Story 2 | Al McWhiggin (voice) | |
| 2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins | Emperor Zurg (voice) | Direct to video |
| 2001 | Rat Race | Zach Mallozzi | |
| 2003 | Cheaper by the Dozen | Electrician | Uncredited cameo |
| 2004 | Black Cloud | Mr. Tipping | |
| 2005 | Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone | Thudd (voice) | |
| 2007 | Forfeit | Bob | |
| 2008 | Kung Fu Panda | Gang Boss (voice) | Cameo |
| 2008 | Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King | The Amazing Krudsky (voice) | Direct to video |
| 2008 | Punisher: War Zone | Linus Lieberman / Microchip | |
| 2012 | She Wants Me | Walter Baum | |
| 2012 | Excuse Me for Living | Albert | |
| 2014 | Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon | The Elf Elder (voice) | Direct to video |
| 2016 | Kung Fu Panda 3 | Big Fun / Hom-Lee (voices) | |
| 2016 | Hail, Caesar! | Lurking Extra #1 | |
| 2018 | Blindspotting | Patrick | |
| TBA | 12 Mighty Orphans | Frank Wynn |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | For Lovers Only | Video Game Fanatic | TV film Uncredited |
| 1983 | The Day After | Man in hospital | TV film |
| 1984 | The Burning Bed | Juror | TV film Uncredited |
| 1985 | Assaulted Nuts | Various | Main role (seven episodes) |
| 1988 | Tattingers | Kenny Axelrod | 2 episodes |
| 1990 | Mathnet | Peter Pickwick | Episode: "The Case of the Parking Meter Massacre" |
| 1990 | Square One TV | Peter Pickwick | 3 episodes |
| 1992–1998 | Seinfeld | Newman | Recurring role Nominated—Q Award for Best Recurring Player (1998) |
| 1992 | Double Edge | Tommy White | TV film |
| 1992–1993 | The Edge | Various Characters | Main role |
| 1992 | T Bone N Weasel | Roy Kramp | TV film |
| 1993 | Fallen Angels | Leo Cunningham | Episode: "Dead End Delia" |
| 1993 | Against the Grain | Froggy Wilson | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1993–1994 | The Second Half | Robert Piccolo | Main role |
| 1994 | Golden Gate | Arthur Genopopoulos | TV film |
| 1996–2001 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Don Orville | Main role Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1998–1999) |
| 1997 | Contempt of Court | Merill Bushman | TV film |
| 1998 | Hercules | Cyclops Head #2 (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Toonsylvania | Igor (voice) | Main role |
| 2000 | Dilbert | The Security Guard (voice) | Episode: "The Security Guard" |
| 2000–2001 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Emperor Zurg (voice) | Main role |
| 2001 | That '70s Show | The Angel | Episode: "It's a Wonderful Life" |
| 2001 | Bleacher Bums | Zig | TV film |
| 2002 | Becker | Wally | Episode: "Picture Imperfect" |
| 2002 | Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story | Walter Ballou | TV film |
| 2003 | The Twilight Zone | Nick Dark | Episode: "How Much Do You Love Your Kid?" |
| 2003–2006 | Xiaolin Showdown | Dojo (voice) | Main cast |
| 2003 | Gary the Rat | Gary's Rival (voice) | Episode: "The Reunion" |
| 2003 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Jack O'Lantern (voice) | Episode: "Billy & Mandy's Jacked-Up Halloween" |
| 2004 | I'm with Her | Kevin | Episode: "Friends in Low Places" |
| 2004 | The Drew Carey Show | Owen | Episode: "Liar Liar House on Fire" |
| 2004 | Listen Up! | Buddy | Episode: "Sweet Charity" |
| 2005–2007 | Catscratch | Mr. Blik (voice) | Main role |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Abnegazar (voice) | Episode: "The Balance" |
| 2006 | CSI: NY | Truman Bosch | Episode: "Fare Game" |
| 2006 | Brandy & Mr. Whiskers | Mr. Cantarius (voice) | Episode: "You've Got Snail" |
| 2006 | How I Met Your Mother | Lily's Landlord (voice, uncredited) | Episode: "How Lily Stole Christmas" |
| 2007 | Tak and the Power of Juju | Bug Juju (voice) | Episode: "Our Favorite Juju" |
| 2009–2012 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Max (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2009 | Woke Up Dead | Andrew Batten | Main role |
| 2009 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Mr. Terrence Lombard | Episode: "Working Stiffs" |
| 2009 | Nip/Tuck | Don Hoberman | Episode: "Don Hoberman" |
| 2009–2011 | The Super Hero Squad Show | Elihas Starr / Egghead (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2009 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Himself | Uncredited Episode: "The Table Read" |
| 2010–2011 | Hot in Cleveland | Rick | Recurring role |
| 2010 | The Good Guys | Perry Black | Episode: "Little Things" |
| 2010 | The Whole Truth | Judge Mark Hulverson | Episode: "Uncanny" |
| 2010 | Bones | Jimmy Walpert III | Episode: "The Babe in the Bar" |
| 2011 | Torchwood | Brian Friedkin | 3 episodes |
| 2011–2012 | Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Jong / Jong's Son (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2011–2015 | The Exes | Haskell Lutz | Main role |
| 2012 | Green Lantern: The Animated Series | Captain Goray (voice) | Episode: "Into the Abyss" |
| 2012 | Pound Puppies | Ralphie / Construction Worker #1 (voice) | Episode: "Good Dog, McLeish!" |
| 2013 | Regular Show | Guardian of the Friend Zone / God of Street Performing (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | American Dad! | Overweight Customer Who's Pants Are Caught on Fire (voice, uncredited) | Episode: "Naked to the Limit, One More Time" |
| 2014 | Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee | Newman | Episode: "The Over-Cheer" |
| 2014 | Unforgettable | Dr. Theodore Blumer | Episode: "East of Islip" |
| 2015 | Sirens | Richard | Episode: "Sub-Primal Fears" |
| 2015 | TripTank | Greg / Customer (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Doc McStuffins | Viewy Stewie (voice) | Episode: "Fully Focused" |
| 2016 | Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh | Boovius (voice) | Episode: "The Gray Matter" |
| 2016 | StartUp | Benny Blush | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Still the King | Dan | Episode: "Still Still the King" |
| 2017 | Narcos | Alan Starkman | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | The Young and the Restless | Irv | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters | Brick (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Grigor | Episode: "Service" |
| 2018 | Legend of the Three Caballeros | Baron Von Sheldgoose (voice) | Main role |
| 2018 | The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair | Benjamin Roth | Main role |
| 2019–20 | Harley Quinn | Penguin (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Robot Chicken | Nutsy Goldberg (voice) | Episode: "Robot Chicken's Santa's Dead (Spoiler Alert) Holiday Murder Thing Special" |
| 2020 | Infinity Train | Marcel (voice) | Episode: "The Map Car" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Toy Story 2 | Al McWhiggin | |
| 2007 | Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots | Mr. Blik (voice) | Nintendo DS (version only) |
| 2011 | Jurassic Park: The Game | Dennis Nedry | Uncredited |
| 2011 | The Penguins of Madagascar: Dr. Blowhole Returns – Again! | Max |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actor | Jurassic Park | Nominated |
| 1998 | OFTA Television Award | Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Seinfeld | Nominated |
| Q Awards | Best Recurring Player | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Nominated | |
| 1999 | Chainsaw Award | Nominated | ||
| Stinker Awards | Most Botched Comic Relief | My Favorite Martian | Nominated |
References
- "NEWMAN!: The @Seinfeld2000 Wayne Knight Interview". Aug 6, 2015. Retrieved Oct 3, 2019.
- "Wayne Knight Biography (1955–)". Filmreference.com.
- "Grace Knight Obituary: View Obituary for Grace Knight by Owen Funeral Home, Cartersville, GA". Obits.dignitymemorial.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- Fretts, Bruce (October 8, 1993). "Wayne Knight: Gaining Roles, Losing Weight", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- "Is this it?". The Guardian. March 6, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- @Seinfeld2000 (August 6, 2015). "NEWMAN!: The @Seinfeld2000 Wayne Knight Interview". Vice. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- Abrams, Natalie. "Exclusive: The Whole Truth Swears In Wayne Knight". TVGuide.com. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- Brew, Simon. "Wayne Knight joins Torchwood: Miracle Day". Den of Geek. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- "Weddings of the Year". People. February 10, 1997. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- Adato, Allison. "Hello, New Man!". people.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- Heller, Corinne. "OTRC: WAYNE KNIGHT, 'SEINFELD'S NEWMAN, 'FAMILY TIES' BRIAN BONSALL not DEAD". KABC-TV Los Angeles. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
- Tran, Vivyan (September 7, 2012). "Celebrities spotted at the Democratic National Convention". Politico.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wayne Knight. |
- Wayne Knight on IMDb
- Wayne Knight at the TCM Movie Database
- Wayne Knight at the Internet Broadway Database
- Wayne Knight at Internet Off-Broadway Database
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