Actor of the Week: Paul Giamatti – Risk Taker Extraordinaire

Paul Giamatti is easily one of the best actors in Hollywood. And although he may not look like your typical Hollywood hunk, it’s perhaps his reliability and ambiance as an “average-joe” that makes him so likable. Not only is he versatile and charismatic, Giamatti has a way of earning audience empathy that simply can’t be taught in any acting class. It’s probably a combination of his natural poise, well spoken articulation, toothy grin and lovely bald head that make Paul Giamatti one memorable actor.

From Yale to Howard Stern

Paul grew up in Connecticut where his father taught at Yale. Giamatti eventually attended Yale alongside fellow actor Edward Norton, and participated in some undergraduate theater work but graduated with a degree in English in 1989. He then got his masters in Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama and originally appeared in several theatrical productions until his early work on screen in the early ’90s.

Since the beginning of his career, Paul has starred in nearly 80 projects but got his first substantial role in 1997′s Private Parts. The biographical comedy was adapted from the 1993 book of the same title, written by Howard Stern. Luckily for Giamatti, the film was a huge success and nearly all of the actors gained praise for their performances. While Stern was most recognized as the star of the film, Giamatti’s portrayal of Stern’s program director gained him just the recognition he needed to begin his career as a future megastar.

The Beginnings of Big Success

In 1998, Giamatti scored some supporting roles in big-budget films including The Negotiator, Saving Private Ryan, and The Truman Show with Jim Carrey. Giamatti starred with Carrey again in 1999′s Man On the Moon which tells the story of American entertainer Andy Kaufman. Giamatti plays Kaufman’s creative partner Bob Zmuda. Both Zmuda and Kaufman (Carrey) portray the rude, loud-mouth lounge singer, Tony Clifton, a character created by the two men. While Jim Carrey may have stolen the show with what was considered a “spot-on” portrayal of Kaufman, the film itself was considered “Best Movie of the Year” by Entertainment Weekly.

In the early 2000′s, Paul starred in several other successful films including Big Momma’s House, Planet of the Apes, and Big Fat Liar but may have gained his big break in 2003′s American Splendor. In the biographical dramedy, Giamatti portrayed Harvey Pekar, the author of the American Splendor comic book series. The film is a part adaptation of the comics themselves, which dramatized Pekar’s life. American Splendor earned the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for best adpated screenplay at the 2003 Academy Awards.

Headed to the Big Time

American Splendor undoubtedly pushed Giamatti into the mainstream eye which may have helped him gain his future roles, many of which earned him several award nominations. In 2004, Paul got a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of a depressed writer and wine connoisseur in the indie romantic-comedy Sideways. Although the film was a little “dry” for my taste, it showed that Giamatti was coming into his own as the lead role.

In 2005, Giamatti’s success continued with Ron Howard’s Cinderella Man, alongside Russell Crowe. Although the film had a shaky opening reception at the box office, it earned several nominations including the Academy Award nomination for “Best Supporting Actor” for Giamatti. Then in 2006, Paul worked with fellow Yale graduate Edward Norton in The Illusionist. As a huge fan of Norton, Giamatti and magic, I agree with the general consensus of critics and audiences who typically enjoyed the film. Director of Photographer Dick Pope was also nominated for “Best Cinematographer” at the Academy Award due to his amazing work in The Illusionist.

The President of the United States Takes Home the Gold

After starring in several other films like M. Night Shyamalan‘s Lady in The Water and even as Santa Claus in 2007′s Fred Claus, Paul landed a spot on the HBO miniseries, John Adams. Giamatti portrays the second president of the United States during his political reign as he tries to lay down the foundation for the new born country . The series was widely acclaimed by critics and fans alike, winning four Golden Globes and 13 Emmy Awards, more than any other miniseries in history.

Since 2008, Giamatti has starred in several big budget and small independent films but has been undoubtedly been busy raising his son Sam with wife Elizabeth in Brooklyn, NY. He’s had time for smaller roles including Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke in the made-for-TV movie, Too Big to Fail. As an economics student I must recommend that you see this movie for several reasons; it would be the second time Paul Giamatti would take home the Screen Actors Guild Award for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie. ” Giamatti is in fact one of only three actors to win this award twice. Too Big to Fail is interesting, informative, and although it technically chronicles the 2008 financial meltdown of the US, is surprisingly endearing. The film originally premiered on HBO but is well worth getting your hands on if it’s available.

Future Endeavors

So what’s next for Paul? He currently has at least seven films on public record that are in post-production due in 2012 and 2013. Giamatti is one actor who didn’t just get lucky by picking movies with great scripts, costars, and directors to star in, but he’s an actor who helped make the films successful.

Paul maybe known for his quirky and often depressing attitude, but it’s the light that he shines into his films that makes him resonate with audiences. He’s not afraid to show vulnerability by taking supporting roles in big films or starring in low budget independent films. Some actors try to avoid parts that may not gain them as much publicity, but those are the roles where Giamatti shines. The fact that he takes chances by participating in projects that, if played by the wrong person would just go unnoticed, shows his real dynamism as not just a good actor, but a great one. Paul Giamatti is what all actors should strive to be, a risk taker, who actually plays parts that mean something, not just parts to gain popularity.

Paul Giamatti’s Filmography/Upcoming Films: