Baldwin is the son of Carol Newcomb (Martineau) and Alexander Rae Baldwin, Jr., who was a high school teacher and football coach. He is of English, Irish, French, Scottish, and German descent.
Alec burst onto the TV scene in the early 1980s with appearances on several series, including The Doctors (1963) and California (1979), before scoring feature film roles inForever, Lulu (1987), Bitelchús (1988), Armas de mujer (1988), Casada con todos (1988) and Hablando con la muerte (1988). In 1990, Baldwin appeared in the first on-screen adaptation of the "Jack Ryan" character created by mega-selling espionage author, Tom Clancy. The film, La caza del Octubre Rojo (1990), was a box office and critical success, with Baldwin appearing alongside icy Sean Connery. Unfortunately, Baldwin fell out with Paramount Studios over future scripts for "Jack Ryan", and subsequent Ryan roles went toHarrison Ford.
Baldwin instead went to Broadway to perform "A Streetcar Named Desire", garnering a Tony nomination for his portrayal of "Stanley Kowalski" (he would reprise the role in a 1995 TV adaptation). Baldwin won over critics as a lowlife thief pursued by dogged copFred Ward in Miami Blues (1990), met his future wife Kim Basinger while filming the Neil Simon comedy, Ella siempre dice sí (1991), starred in the film adaptation of the play,Hechizo de un beso (1992) (in which he starred off-Broadway), and made an indelible ten-minute cameo as a hard-nosed real estate executive laying down the law in Éxito a cualquier precio (1992). He also made a similar tour-de-force monologue in the thriller,Malicia (1993), as a doctor defending his practices, in which he stated, "Let me tell you something: I am God".
Demand for Baldwin's talents in the 1990s saw more scripts swiftly come his way, and he starred alongside his then-wife, Kim Basinger, in a remake of the Steve McQueen action flick, La huida (1994), brought to life the famous comic strip character, La sombra (1994), and starred as an assistant district attorney in the civil rights drama, Fantasmas del pasado (1996). Baldwin's distinctive vocal talents then saw him voice US-aired episodes of the highly popular UK children's show, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (1984), plus later voice-only contributions to other animated/children's shows, including Clerks (2000),Como perros y gatos (2001), Final fantasy: La fuerza interior (2001) and Bob Esponja, la película (2004).
In the early 2000s, Baldwin and Basinger endured an acrimonious break-up that quickly became tabloid fodder but, while his divorce was high-profile, Baldwin excelled in a number of lower-profile supporting roles in a variety of films, including State and Main(2000), Pearl Harbor (2001), The Cooler (2003) (for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor), El aviador (2004), Y entonces llegó ella(2004) and Infiltrados (2006). As he was excelling as a consummate character actor, Baldwin found a second career in television comedy. Already known for his comedic turns hosting Saturday Night Live (1975), he essayed an extended guest role on Will y Grace(1998) in 2005 before taking on what would arguably become his most famous role, that of network executive "Jack Donaghy", opposite Tina Fey in the highly-acclaimed sitcom,Rockefeller Plaza (2006). The role brought Baldwin two Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, and an unprecedented six Screen Actors Guild Awards (not including cast wins).
Continuing to appear in films as Rockefeller Plaza (2006) wrapped up its final season, Baldwin remarried in 2012 to Hilaria Baldwin (aka Hilaria Lynn Thomas), and is rumored to be considering political office. - IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com
Spouse
Hilaria Baldwin (30 June 2012 - present) (1 child)
Kim Basinger (19 August 1993 - 3 September 2002) (divorced) (1 child)
Trade Mark
Deep raspy voice
Long story-driven monologues
Frequently plays immoral men of power
Frequently plays deeply narcissistic though inherently moral characters
Deadpan comic delivery
Thick, dark hair
Dimpled chin
Trivia
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#80) (1995).
He and his wife Kim Basinger owned a total of eleven dogs, seven cats and a wolf.
Education: George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (majored in political science), New York University, New York, New York (majored in drama; B.A., 1993).
As part of his preparation for La caza del Octubre Rojo (1990), he was trained to drive a Los Angeles-class attack submarine at the New London Submarine Base in Connecticut.
Brother of William Baldwin, Stephen Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, Jane Sasso and Elizabeth Keuchler.
Brother-in-law of singer Chynna Phillips and Kennya Baldwin.
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World (1990).
Cousin of actor Joseph Baldwin and Charles H. Baldwin.
Originally wanted to be a lawyer.
His father was not only a social studies teacher in Massapequa, but also the football coach.
Alec's daughter is often called "Addie" by family members.
During the Bill Clinton impeachment trial went on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) and said to a cheering audience that the head of the trial, Henry Hyde and his family, should be stoned to death. He later apologized and said it was just a joke.
A huge fan of novelist James Lee Burke, he owns the rights to a number of books featuring his character Dave Robiceaux. One of these, Prisioneros del cielo (1996), was released in 1996.
Wrote the episode Ley y orden: Tabloid (1998) based on his own experiences with tabloid reporters.
Turned down the chance to reprise the role of Jack Ryan in Juego de patriotas (1992) in order to play Stanley Kowalski in a revival of Tennessee Williams's "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway.
Told brother Stephen Baldwin that doing Bio-Dome (1996) could be the single most career ending decision he could possibly make.
Loves Cuban cigars.
At George Washington University, Baldwin ran for president but lost by two votes.
Taught "Master Theater Workshop" in summer 2002 at Southampton College, New York where friend James LaRocca is Dean.
Is only the third person in history to be nominated for both Best Supporting Actor from the Oscars, for The Cooler (2003), and Worst Supporting Actor from the Razzies, for El gato (2003), in the same year.
Jokes that he "stole" his performance in The Cooler (2003) from Ben Kingsley's in Sexy Beast (2000).
Replaced Alan Rickman as the voice of Leonardo Leonardo in the 2000 cartoon based onKevin Smith's film Clerks (1994).
Received an honorary Litt.D degree from Montclair State University at their 2004 graduation.
Like ex-wife Kim Basinger, he is also a vegetarian. He claims she was the one who convinced him. Since their divorce he has continued to be an advocate for animal rights.
In 1995, he played the role of Stanley Kowalski in Un tranvía llamado Deseo (1995), a role originated by Marlon Brando, who went on to play Vito Corleone. On Saturday Night Live (1975), he has played Robert De Niro, who played the young Vito Corleone to Brando's older Don Corleone, in El padrino. Parte II (1974).
His Un tranvía llamado Deseo (1995) castmate, John Goodman, played Marlon Brando onSaturday Night Live (1975).
Has done voice-over work in television ads for both General Electric and Subaru.
Was nominated for Broadway's 1992 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for playing Stanley Kowalski in a revival of Tennessee Williams's "A Streetcar Named Desire", a performance he recreated in a television version of the same title, Un tranvía llamado Deseo (1995).
His father was of English, Irish and Scottish ancestry, while his mother's ancestry was English, French-Canadian, German, Irish and Scottish.
Is one of only two people with a standing invitation to host Saturday Night Live (1975) every year (schedules allowing). The other is Christopher Walken.
Has impersonated Robert De Niro on Saturday Night Live (1975) a few times, and now he will be in El buen pastor (2006), which is directed by De Niro.
He was willing to voice his own puppet in Team America: La policía del mundo (2004) (despite the movie's unflattering portrait of him and other film stars, but was turned down by producers Matt Stone and Trey Parker, because all of the other celebrities were voiced by impressionists in the film. The role went to impressionist Maurice LaMarche.
In 1979, he auditioned for the New York University Undergraduate Drama Program on a dare (and was accepted).
No relation to actor Adam Baldwin.
Son of Carol M. Baldwin and Alexander Baldwin II. His father was one of Brian Kilmeade's teacher.
Was considered for the role of Dr. Curtis McCabe in Vanilla Sky (2001), which went to Kurt Russell.
Has declined two roles that later went to Harrison Ford. First, he declined to reprise the role of Jack Ryan in Juego de patriotas (1992), then he turned down the lead role in El fugitivo (1993).
Was considered for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989), which went toMichael Keaton.
Did a skit on Saturday Night Live (1975) in December of 2005 in which he spoofed himself delivering the same speech he did in Éxito a cualquier precio (1992) to a couple of Santa's elves. Only some of the words were changed to apply to the elves rather than salesmen. He slipped though when saying the line, "Always Be Cobbling" instead he said the original line, "Always Be Closing". This made the other cast members break out in laughter on the live show.
(April 11, 2007) Caused a scandal by leaving an expletive-filled voice mail for his daughter, Ireland, calling her a "thoughtless little pig", which later was revealed to the media.
Revealed during an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) that he suffers from OCD.
Wrote the episode Ley y orden: Tabloid (1998), which was part of the 1998 season, because of his own experience with tabloid reporters.
Caused a major uproar in the Philippines when he made a joke that he was interested in buying a Filipina wife. As a result, Philippine senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., (also an actor) blasted Baldwin and even swore to personally beat him up if he ever visits the Philippines. Despite apologizing for the joke, Baldwin was effectively banned from visiting the Philippines.
Will surpass, Steve Martin, for hosting Saturday Night Live (1975) the most times - the 16th - when he does so, as scheduled, on Sept. 24, 2011. Martin has hosted 14 times. In 2010, the friendly duo co-hosted The 82nd Annual Academy Awards (2010).
Teaches a theater class at The Ross School in New York, which actress Aimee Denaroattended.
Has announced plans to retire from acting and pursue other interests when his contract for Rockefeller Plaza (2006) expires in 2012.
Good friends with actress Meryl Streep.
Trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.
Is a huge fan of the Chicago Bears.
On December 12, 1998, Alec Baldwin hosted Saturday Night Live (1975) and appeared in the double entendre-filled "Schweddy Balls" edition of the recurring skit "The Delicious Dish", which spoofed National Public Radio (NPR). In 2009, Baldwin became the on-air radio host of "The New York Philharmonic This Week" on the real NPR. In 2011, Baldwin became the host of his own public radio interview podcast show on WNYC, "Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin".
His agent is Michael A. Katcher.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 15, 2011, outside Eva Longoria's restaurant, Beso, on Hollywood Boulevard, seven blocks away from ex-wifeKim Basinger's star. In attendance were his brother Stephen Baldwin, his daughter Ireland and friend Megan Mullally.
Studied at New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts.
As a longtime political liberal activist, was rumored to be weighing a run for mayor of New York City... until he denied it recently on Late Show with David Letterman (1993) (2011).
(September 11, 2011) For his role on Rockefeller Plaza (2006), he was named one of the "Eight Actors Who Turn Television into Art", in cover story of The New York Times Magazine.
Removed from an American Airlines flight on December 6, 2011 at Los Angeles International Airport, reportedly for not turning off his cellphone.
(April 3, 2012) Engaged to yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas.
Son of Carol M. Baldwin (aka Carol Martineau Baldwin) of Syracuse, New York and the late Alexander R. Baldwin Jr.
In 2011 announced that he canceled his plans to retire from acting. He explained that his intention had been to enter politics, but he decided against it and he will renew his contract for Rockefeller Plaza (2006).
(February 12, 2013) Alec and his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, are expecting their first child in summer 2013.
His acting mentor was the late Julie Harris.
There is a 31-year age difference between his ex-wife Kim Basinger (born 1953) and current wife Hilaria Baldwin (born 1984).
Became a father for the 1st time at age 37 when his 1st wife [now ex-wife] Kim Basingergave birth to their daughter Ireland Eliesse Baldwin, aka Ireland Baldwin, on October 23, 1995.
Became a father for the 2nd time at age 55 when his 2nd wife Hilaria Baldwin gave birth to their daughter Carmen Gabriella Baldwin on August 23, 2013.
Has appeared in films with all three of his successors in the role of Jack Ryan: Harrison Ford in Armas de mujer (1988), Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor (2001), and Chris Pine in El origen de los guardianes (2012). He has also been played by Affleck on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).
Claimed in a 2013 interview that he donates all the money he makes from his Capital One commercials to charity and even 'got addicted to giving the money away'.
Officially announced that he will be hosting his own television talk show on MSNBC, "Up Late With Alec Baldwin" (2013) starting in October 2013, Fridays at 10pm. [September 2013]
After only one month on the air, Baldwin's new MSNBC talk show, "Up Late", was canceled in November 2013 after he angrily uttered a "gay slur" during his latest confrontation with photographers staked outside his Manhattan apartment building.
Alec Baldwin has worked with all four actresses who played Bruce Wayne's love interests in the Burton/Schumacher Batman films. He was married to Kim Basinger and appeared with her in La huida (1994). He and Michelle Pfeiffer appeared in Casada con todos(1988). He and Nicole Kidman appeared in Malicia (1993). He and Elle Macpherson appeared in El desafío (1997).
Alec Baldwin appeared in two titles that contain the painting 'Horse Attacked by a Lion' by George Stubbs - 30 Rock (2nd season, Auction house) and Working Girl (Katherine Parker's office).
The first film he ever saw was La conquista del Oeste (1962).
One of his early career aspirations was to become a lifeguard.
For two consecutive years, he played the screen husband of the Best Actress Oscar winner: Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine (2013) and Julianne Moore in Siempre Alice(2014).
Personal Quotes
Acting in the theatre is fun, acting in film is work.
I don't get acting jobs because of my looks.
[1997] I'm starting to feel I have to cure my addiction to Hollywood money, because while it's delightful, it's also insidious.
Some guys smoke good Dominicans, other guys smoke great Jamaicans. I only smoke the best - Havanas!
[on Tina Fey] Tina is smart, funny, beautiful... Devoted, tough, respected... Now if she'd only work on her posture.
(on Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr.) The comments of some Philippine government officials come as no surprise to me, either. Even the one by a former action film star-turned-Senator who beckoned me to come to the Philippines so he could "beat" me over my comment.
(on Meryl Streep) I have worshiped Meryl for so long that I would have played her driver or her chiropractor.
Men are literally lying in bed with their wives when the marriage is essentially over thinking, "I've got to get the hell out of here", and have a fantasy woman in mind. Then you get divorced, meet a woman, marry her and, by the time all that goes by, you've aged a few years and are ready to go back to your ex-wife. You want a woman who is sane and normal. A woman who is more like you. You've gotten older.
[on Charlie Sheen's 2011 public meltdown] I think Charlie just needs a good night's sleep. He seems wound a little tight.
Remember, sex is like a Chinese dinner. It ain't over 'til you both get your cookie.
[on why he named his daughter Ireland] Because she's beautiful but can't manage her finances.
There are people who would rather choke than go see my movies. They write me letters all the time.
I wanted to be president of the United States. I really did. The older I get the less preposterous the idea seems.
[on Chris Farley] Whenever I was watching Chris perform I would think, "How do I get where he's at? How do I get to be as funny and as honest and as warm?".
You know, Hollywood does draw some very strange characters, and then the power of Hollywood and what they can do with it becomes like a blood sport to them.
[on William Holden, the star he most admires] There's three things: there's masculinity, there's intelligence, there's sensitivity. You've got to bring those three things to a leading man's role. In some people there's a little too much in the mix of one or the other. With Holden it was always the perfect mix.
I think I do want to go into politics. I really, really do. And I don't know if I will. You have to stop and ask a lot of whys. Run for the glory? Run to complete some missing piece of myself? I can keep doing what I'm doing for a living now and be perfectly happy.
I just want to say: The worst cases you never hear about. Hollywood studios bury that stuff - actors who punch directors in the face and try to run producers over with cars - insanity, criminal behavior. But the studios are invested in that star, they can't have that person's name dirtied up.
I'm at the age where, in the Tennessee Williams canon, all that's available is Shannon [in "The Night of the Iguana"]. After that it's Big Daddy.
[on stage acting, as in "Orphans" on Broadway] Rehearsal is painful. Not knowing the lines, not having a mastery of the text is painful, because until you have it you can't play the scenes. When we're up onstage now I kind of dig it. It's fun. Though I know half the audience is going to like it for the wrong reason, half of them are not going to like it for the wrong reason. You just do the show.
[after being arrested for cycling his bike the wrong way down Fifth Avenue] New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign.
[after being arrested for a traffic infraction] New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign.
[on The Godfather] It's like a drug. It takes away your free will. You're going to watch this movie, whether you planned on it or not.
Before Rockefeller Plaza (2006) I had always given a percentage of my income to charity. I'm not blowing my horn about it. Most people give, I think. But when I learned that "30 Rock" was going into syndication, I entered into a very lucrative agreement with Capital One, and I gave nearly every dime to charity. That's why I did the commercials. I got addicted to giving the money away.
Salary
The Marrying Man (1991) $1.500.000
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) $250.000
Heaven's Prisoners (1996) $5.000.000
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) $5.500.000
30 Rock (2006) $300.000 /episode (2009-10)
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