John C. Reilly

An in-demand actor who exudes lovable-lug likability, John C. Reilly had an unconventional start to his screen career, moving straight from theater work in his hometown of Chicago to supporting parts in major movies. Following his film debut as a soldier in Brian De Palma's Casualties of War, Reilly appeared in a string of early 1990s Hollywood productions, including the racing drama Days of Thunder and the crime thriller State of Grace. Cementing his indie credibility with memorable roles in the first three films by Paul Thomas Anderson, most notably Boogie Nights and Magnolia, he was subsequently featured in a number of high-profile projects, including Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York and The Aviator, as well as the popular movie musical Chicago, which garnered Reilly his first Oscar nomination. Skilled at hitting both dramatic and humorous marks, he made the leap into full-on comedy with Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, a move that led to numerous other goofy roles, including the incompetent Dr. Steve Brule on both Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and his own spin-off, Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule. A seasoned supporting player, Reilly has revealed that he can shine as the lead, as ably evinced by Cyrus, a character-driven dramedy that found the veteran actor deftly balancing offbeat comedy with heartfelt emotion.