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Jon Cryer

Jon Cryer has earned four consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Alan Harper in CBS's top-rated comedy series Two and a Half Men. In addition to starring on the series, Cryer made his directorial debut on an episode of the show during its fourth season, and has since directed additional episodes. Cryer recently filmed back-to-back movies while on hiatus from Two and a Half Men. In addition to Shorts, he appears in the Polish Brothers' upcoming feature Stay Cool. Earlier this year, he made a cameo appearance in the independent feature Weather Girl.

His other film credits include both major studio releases and acclaimed independent features. He first gained attention with a starring role opposite Demi Moore in 1984's No Small Affair. Two years later, he starred as an endearing misfit in the iconic teen comedy Pretty in Pink, written by John Hughes. His hilarious performance as Jim Wash Out Pfaffenbach in the 1991 comedy hit Hot Shots! marked his first teaming with Charlie Sheen.

Cryer first became known to television audiences playing the title role in the CBS comedy series The Famous Teddy Z. He has since starred in the FOX series Partners and the ABC sitcom The Trouble with Normal. In addition, he has had guest-starring roles on such series as The Practice, Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Mr. Show.

Also a gifted filmmaker, Cryer co-wrote, produced, and starred in two wellreceived independent films for director Richard Schenkman. The first, The Pompatus of Love, explores the romantic floundering of four friends in their thirties. Cryer based his second film, "Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God…Be Back by Five," on the true story of a childhood friend who was homeless and living in Central Park. The film has garnered awards in film festivals both in the US and abroad.

On stage, Cryer has hit the boards on both sides of the Atlantic. He played David in Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy, bringing the role from Broadway to Los Angeles; starred on Broadway as Eugene Jerome in Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs; and played Jack in the Los Angeles premiere of Boys' Life. In addition, he earned applause from critics and audiences alike in the London and Los Angeles productions of 900 Oneonta.

A native New Yorker, Cryer is the son of actor David Cryer and writer and actress Gretchen Cryer and did his first commercial at the age of four. He studied acting at Stagedoor Manor, a summer acting camp recently featured in Todd Graff's Sundance favorite Camp, before being accepted to London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2009.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Jon Cryer Facts

OccupationActor
BirthdayApril 16, 1965 (58)
SignAries
BirthplaceNew York, New York, USA
Awards2009 Emmy Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy (for Two And A Half Men)

Selected Filmography

NCIS: Season 13
Hot Shots!
Pretty in Pink
Two and a Half Men: Season 8
Two and a Half Men: Season 5
Two and a Half Men: Season 2
Two and a Half Men: Season 6
Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs and a Baby
Two and a Half Men: Season 1
Two and a Half Men: Season 4
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