Today we focus our Hollywood Spotlight on the life and career of Alec Baldwin. For over three decades, this talented star has showed his impressive versatility on the large and small screens. His skill has earned him many awards and recognitions from peers, critics, and audiences. In fact, he is even a record-holder for SAG Awards! Let’s take a deeper look at this intriguing celebrity.
A Newer Hollywood Dynasty
While the members of the Baldwin family are true New Yorkers, they have made an indelible mark in the entertainment industry. Of the six children in the family, all four boys have gone into acting. Alec, Daniel, William, and Stephen built strong careers in Hollywood and are collectively known as The Baldwin Brothers.
Their talents have even been passed down a generation. Many of the brother’s daughters have gone into modeling. Alec Baldwin’s eldest daughter, Ireland, is a statuesque blonde who has been strutting down the runway since 2013.
A Franchise Begins
Early in his career, Alec Baldwin played the first incarnation of Jack Ryan, a CIA agent created by author Tom Clancy. In 1990, The Hunt for Red October hit theaters. Telling the tale of intrigue in the depths of the ocean, the movie was a blockbuster. The spring release was the one of the best opening weekend of all time! Not only was the movie successful, Alec Baldwin had the opportunity to star opposite one of Hollywood’s biggest names: Sean Connery.
The actor hoped to play Jack Ryan in future installments of the series. Unfortunately, due to studio politics, he was replaced by Harrison Ford.
Toddlers and Trains
In 1998, the star took on a role that endeared him to a younger demographic. When George Carlin left Thomas & Friends to focus on comedy, Alec Baldwin was his replacement! He narrated the stories about the little tank engine for seasons 5 and 6 (1998-2002). And during his tenure he also starred as Mr. Conductor in Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000). However, much to the sadness of his child fan base and the trains on Sodor, he left the program to film the movie The Cat in the Hat (2002).
Top of The Rock
Much of Alec Baldwin’s early Hollywood career includes serious performances in dramas. But in the early 2000’s, he treated audiences to the comedic side of his talent. Still no one expected the laughter they would experience watching the actor turn as Jack Donaghy in NBC’s 30 Rock (2006-2013). He starred on the series for its entire 7 season run.
30 Rock was a fan favorite and a critical darling. Many critics even rank it is one of the best television comedies, amongst such greats as I Love Lucy and Seinfeld. The show and its stars received many award nominations and earned quite a few wins. In fact, Alec Baldwin was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe each season! And he won both awards twice! The talented celebrity also garnered Screen Actors Guild Awards and many critical awards for his performance.
Silver Screen Success
This versatile celebrity also includes the following movies on his resume: She’s Having a Baby (1988), Beetlejuice (1988), Working Girl (1988), Prelude to a Kiss (1992), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Malice (1993), The Juror (1996), The Edge (1997), Along Came Polly (2004), Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), The Departed (2006), Running with Scissors (2006), It’s Complicated (2009), Rise of the Guardians (2012), Rock of Ages (2012), Still Alice (2014), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Concussion (2015), The Boss Baby (2017), Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), and BlacKkKlansman (2018).
A Family Man
Following a tumultuous and public divorce from star Kim Basinger in 2002, Alec Baldwin found love again. He met fitness expert Hilaria Thomas in 2011 and the pair married in 2012. Together, the couple have three sons and one daughter. And despite his age, the celebrity would be more than willing to add more children to his brood. After all, he comes from a large family himself.
Charitable Endeavors
Much of the celebrity’s charitable endeavors fall under the umbrella of the foundation he and his wife created: Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation. Alec Baldwin is a passionate New Yorker. In fact, he has called the city home for the majority of his life. As such, many of his philanthropic pursuits benefit the city he loves. One of the primary objects of his interest is The New York Philharmonic. Not only has he donated money to the orchestra, this classical music-loving celebrity has served on the board. And, since 2009, he has hosted The New York Philharmonic This Week. The nationally broadcast radio program airs every week.
But charities outside of New York are also recipients of the star’s generosity. Notably, Alec Baldwin is an ardent supporter of PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. A vegan since 2011, the celebrity is even the narrator for the video “Meet Your Meat” which focuses on issues in factory farming.
Upcoming Projects
2019 promises to be a good year for fans of the star. In addition to the expected continuation of his portrayal of the U.S. President on Saturday Night Live, Alec Baldwin has two movies scheduled to hit theaters late this year. In fact, both will premiere on November 1, 2019! Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad is an animated tale about an arctic fox who, with his friends, takes on a mission to foil an evil plot. And Alec Baldwin is not the only Hollywood celebrity lending their voice to the feature. Indeed, he joins a fantastic cast of stars including Jeremy Renner, John Cleese, James Franco, Heidi Klum, Anjelica Houston, and Tommy Lee Jones.
His other movie, Motherless Brooklyn, is a crime drama set in the 1950’s. Based on the novel by the same name, the movie focuses on a private investigator out to determine who killed his mentor. Again, Alec Baldwin joins an all-star cast with Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Bruce Willis, Leslie Mann, and Bobby Cannavale. He also stars alongside Selma Hayek in the comedy Drunk Parents.
And 2019 may just have another treat in store for audiences. The long-anticipated live stage version of A Few Good Men is tentatively expected this year. The play is the first swing at a live television performance of a Broadway drama in over 50 years. In it, Alec Baldwin will play Col. Nathan Jessep, a role made iconic by movie star Jack Nicholson in 1992. No doubt we are in for another legendary performance!