Jeffrey Dean Morgan filmography and biography
Date of birth: 22 April 1966, Seattle, Washington, USA
Jeffrey Dean Morgan biography
Jeffrey Dean Morgan's charisma, undeniable charm and versatility have
landed him a variety of prestigious feature films working alongside a
number of award-winning actors and filmmakers. With a handful of major
studio films due out in the coming months and consistently working on
back-to-back productions, Morgan has captured the attention of
Hollywood and has emerged as one of the industry's most sought-after
leading men.
Morgan starred in Warner Bros.' "Watchmen," director Zack Snyder's
("300") adaptation of the iconic graphic novel. He played the pivotal
role of 'The Comedian,' a Vietnam vet who is a member of a group of
heroes called the Minutemen.
Morgan stars in producer Joel Silver's "The Losers," for Warner Bros. It
is an adaptation of DC-Vertigo's acclaimed comic book series about a
band of black ops commandos who are set up to be killed by their own
government. The team barely survives and sets out to get even. James
Vanderbilt adapted the screenplay, and Sylvain White directed.
Morgan can be seen in MGM/UA reboot of the 1984 action movie "Red Dawn."
The plot focuses on a group of teenagers who form an insurgency, called
the Wolverines, when their town is invaded by Chinese and Russian
soldiers. Morgan plays the role of 'Lieutenant Andrew Tanner,' leader
of the U.S. Special Forces who finds the Wolverines.
He also stars opposite two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank in the
suspense thriller "The Resident," for Hammer Films. It is the story of
a young doctor (Swank) who moves into a Brooklyn loft and becomes
suspicious that she is not alone. Morgan plays 'Max,' her charming new
landlord who she discovers has developed a dangerous obsession with
her. Morgan previously co-starred with Swank in Warner Bros.' "P.S. I
Love You."
In the Spring of 2010, the in-demand actor starred in the independent
murder mystery "The Fields." In the film, based on a true story, Morgan
plays a detective transplanted from New York who teams with a local
investigator (Sam Worthington) to work on a series of unsolved murders
in industrial wastelands surrounding Gulf Coast refineries, where as
many as 70 bodies turned up over the past two decades. Together they
wage a war against the unknown assailants. Michael Mann produced the
film, while his daughter Ami Canaan Mann directed.
The actor traveled to Thailand, where he filmed the Weinstein Company's
period drama, "Shanghai," under the direction of Mikael Hafstrom
("1408"). John Cusack stars as an American who returns to a corrupt,
Japanese-occupied Shanghai four months prior to Pearl Harbor and learns
that his friend 'Connor' (Morgan) has been killed. While trying to
solve the murder, he discovers a much larger secret that his own
government is hiding. In addition, Morgan has a role in Michael
London's Groundswell Productions' "All Good Things," starring Kirsten
Dunst and Ryan Goslin, also for The Weinstein Co.
He appeared in Focus Features' "Taking Woodstock," directed by
Oscar-winning director Ang Lee. He also starred opposite Uma Thurman in
Yari Film Group's romantic comedy, "The Accidental Husband." Additional
feature credits include a cameo role opposite Rachel Weisz in Warner
Bros.' comedy "Fred Claus," and the independent office comedy
"Kabluey," in which he played a charismatic yet smarmy co-worker to
Lisa Kudrow's character.
Morgan endeared himself to audiences with his recurring role on ABC's
smash hit series "Grey's Anatomy." His dramatic arc as heart patient
'Denny Duquette,' who wins the heart of intern 'Izzie Stevens'
(Katherine Heigl) in a star-crossed romance, made him a universal fan
favorite. He also had recurring roles on The CW and Warner Bros.
Television's drama series, "Supernatural," and on Showtime and Lions
Gate Television's award-winning comedy series, "Weeds."
In his spare time, Morgan enjoys barbecuing on the grill, reading,
watching movies and listening to his favorite band, The Eagles. The
Seattle native also loves to root for his home team, the Seattle
Seahawks. He resides in Los Angeles with his dogs Bisou and Bandit
Mogan, a puppy he rescued in Puerto Rico while filming "The Losers."
Jeffrey Dean Morgan trivia
- He has a dog named Bisou, which means "a little and sweet kiss" in
French. Bisou is a female 9-year-old Rottweiler mix.
- In his free time he enjoys spending time with his friends and laughing
as much as possible, painting, writing and reading.
- Under "skills," his résumé lists: basketball, baseball and many other
sports, Mountain & Water Athletics, Cooking, Construction. Under
"dialects," it lists: New York, Italian, various regional dialects.
- He is friends with his agent, Richard Lewis, whose support was
"invaluable in keeping me going and getting back to where I am today."
- His former manager (who happened to be a very good friend of his)
dropped him because he just wasn't getting work just the day before he
got his role on Supernatural, claiming she couldn't
resurrect his career.
- Did a painting and donated it to the 'Race for the Rescues' "Walk of
Paws Celebrity Art Auction," on October 29, 2006. The money raised at
the event went to help shelter dogs and cats in and around Pasadena,
CA.
- Learned to play the guitar for his part in
P.S. I Love You, after about a week of lessons from
Heart (I)'s Nancy Wilson (I).
- Is a die-hard Seahawks fan.
- Started a graphic art company in Seattle before moving to Los Angeles
and becoming an actor.
- His mother, Sandy, is a big fan of Greys Anatomy.
- The Morgan (noble) family is originally from Llandaff, Glamorgan,
Glamorganshire, Wales, and descends through female and illegitimate
line from Edward III, King of England, and Pedro I, King of Castille. A
branch eventually came to New England in the 1600s and among its
descendants are writer Charles Edward Ives, President Millard Fillmore,
the Rockefeller family, pioneer Daniel Boone (b. Daniel Morgan Booone),
writer Tennessee Williams (born Thomas Lanier Williams,) writer
'Zelda Sayre (wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, actress 'Katharine
Hepburn' (born Katharine Houghton Hepburn), actor
Humphrey Bogart (born Humphrey Deforest Bogart), inventor George
Washington Gale Ferris Jr. and writer Laura Ingalls Wilder (born
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls).
- Was in a relationship with his Weeds co-star
Mary-Louise Parker from 2004-2006.
- He is of primarily Scottish heritage.
- He and his Watchmen co-star Billy Crudup both have
been in a relationship with Mary-Louise Parker. Crudup lived
with her from 1996-2003 and they have a son together. Morgan started
dating Parker in 2008, they became engaged, but eventually broke up.
- Even though he played Jensen and Jared's father on Supernatural, Jeffrey
is only twelve years older than Jensen.
- Found out in March 2009 that he has a son (born in 2005) with actress
Sherrie Rose.
- Has been in a relationship with actress Hilarie Burton since May
2009. Hilarie gave birth to their first child, a boy named Gus, in
March 2010.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan quotes
- I think, as I've gotten older I have realized what a huge privilege it
is to even be in this business. I, more than ever, love what I do.
- I'm just looking always for characters that change, because I want to
get better, as an actor and as a person.
- [from his 1997 "Playgirl" magazine interview, on whether he wants to get
married someday] Yes, I do. But I don't have any immediate plans
because I know I wasn't good at it the first time around.
- [in his "TV Tattler" interview, regarding the relationship with his
television sons Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles] On
set, we're like three idiot brothers.
- [about coming back to Supernatural] "I'm going to call
Eric [series creator Eric Kripke] and beg for my life and find a
way to come back and harass these guys [Jensen Ackles and
Jared Padalecki] in some way.
- I love Jared and Jensen. Going up to Vancouver is like going to camp. We
have so much fun, and it's pretty much just the three of us up there.
There's a lot of giggling. The three of us together act like little
kids. They're both fun as heck, but they're both so different.
Supernatural is the most difficult because I could never get used to
working nights. Working exterior nights in Vancouver, when it's raining
and snowing, is a little daunting, when you haven't slept. The show is
extremely hard, physically. - on working with Jensen and Jared on
Supernatural
- [Told Flaunt Magazine in March 2010 that he currently abides by these
steadfast rules] We don't tattoo someone's name on our body and we
don't get married.