---
name: "John Cusack"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-cusack"
fi1m_id: "john-cusack"
imdb_id: "nm0000131"
tmdb_id: 3036
wikidata_id: "Q106175"
roles: ["Actor","Writer","Producer"]
born: "28 June 1966"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-05T16:56:05.749133+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# John Cusack

## Identity

John Cusack

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-cusack
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** john-cusack
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000131
- **TMDB ID:** 3036
- **Wikidata ID:** Q106175
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cusack, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106175, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000131/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3036

Actor and writer. Born 28 June 1966 in Evanston, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Writer, Producer
- **Born:** 28 June 1966, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 1986–present
- **Also known as:** John Cusak, John Paul Cusack
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 16: 15 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [D.V. DeVincentis](https://film.one/person/d-v-devincentis.md), [John Malkovich](https://film.one/person/john-malkovich.md), [Scott Rosenberg](https://film.one/person/scott-rosenberg.md), [Stephen Frears](https://film.one/person/stephen-frears.md), [Steve Pink](https://film.one/person/steve-pink.md)
- **BAFTA Film Awards:** 1 BAFTA nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 84 (2), 1990s 78 (9), 2000s 74 (3), 2010s 66 (1), 2020s 54 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 74 across 14 titles
- **Score spread:** 9 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 9 of 12 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 8, Drama 8, Action 4, Crime 4, Adventure 3, Romance 3
- **Screen time:** 28 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,177m across 14 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cusack, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106175, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000131/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3036

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Bullets Over Broadway*](https://film.one/film/bullets-over-broadway.md) (80), [*The Butler*](https://film.one/film/the-butler.md) (66)
- **Disney+:** [*Anastasia*](https://film.one/film/anastasia.md) (64), [*2012*](https://film.one/film/2012.md) (57)
- **Netflix:** [*High Fidelity*](https://film.one/film/high-fidelity.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on John Cusack

> John Cusack makes charm feel slightly unreliable, which is why his vulnerable outsiders hold our attention. We also value his work as a comic straight man, though some of the later commercial choices give us less to enjoy.

John Cusack's David Shayne in *Bullets Over Broadway* (1994) is an idealistic playwright in a comedy with little patience for artistic vanity. Cusack gives the ensemble a useful straight man: someone whose seriousness allows the absurdity around him to register. We rate him most when charm has some anxiety behind it, or when he lets other performers supply the bigger comic effects. He need not be the funniest person present to make a comedy work.

The early leads in *The Sure Thing* (1985) and *Say Anything...* (1989) established him as a leading man; *The Grifters* (1990) made that appeal more complicated. As con man Roy Dillon, alongside Anjelica Huston and Annette Bening, he could put charm and vulnerability into the same part. The move into adult roles suited an actor who could make an apparently approachable man seem less reassuring the longer we watched. That uncertainty gives us more to consider than the familiar description of him as an everyman.

His interest in unconventional material has sometimes extended beyond acting. He co-wrote and developed *Grosse Pointe Blank* (1997), as well as starring in it, while *Being John Malkovich* (1999) put him in surreal territory as Craig Schwartz. Neither choice suggests someone content to keep repeating his early leading-man appeal. These are useful titles to explore beyond the youthful roles, though our clearest recommendation comes from his work in an ensemble.

Woody Allen's *Bullets Over Broadway* makes particularly good use of his ability to support a comedy without dominating it. Dianne Wiest and Chazz Palminteri supply much of the bite, with Cusack providing a serious-minded contrast as the playwright. We laughed at the film's treatment of artistic vanity because David's idealism gives its unkindness a recognisable target. The staging can be stiff and the theatrical clichés remain, but his anchoring performance helps the comedy hold together.

Some later commercial choices are less distinctive, and they are not where we would start. We want him in parts that give his charm something awkward to contend with, rather than merely relying on it. Try *Bullets Over Broadway* if a few theatrical clichés will not spoil the evening.

## Biography

John Cusack is an American actor. Born on 28 June 1966 in Evanston, Illinois, he is the son of filmmaker Dick Cusack and the brother of actors Joan, Ann and Bill Cusack.

He began acting in films in the 1980s, appearing in coming-of-age comedies such as *Sixteen Candles* (1984), *Better Off Dead* (1985) and *Stand by Me* (1986). He took leading roles in independent films including *The Grifters* (1990) as Roy Dillon and *Bullets Over Broadway* (1994) as David Shayne.

Cusack has worked across genres in films such as *Being John Malkovich* (1999), *High Fidelity* (2000) and *Con Air* (1997). He received a Golden Globe nomination for *High Fidelity* and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012.

*Sources: imdb.com, allmovie.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (16)

### Performed in (15) — the average rests on these

- *Detective Chinatown 1900* (2025), Fi1m 54, as Grant — [page](https://film.one/film/detective-chinatown-1900.md)
- *The Butler* (2013), Fi1m 66, as Richard Nixon — [page](https://film.one/film/the-butler.md)
- *2012* (2009), Fi1m 57, as Jackson Curtis — [page](https://film.one/film/2012.md)
- *High Fidelity* (2000), Fi1m 82, as Rob — [page](https://film.one/film/high-fidelity.md)
- *Being John Malkovich* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Craig Schwartz — [page](https://film.one/film/being-john-malkovich.md)
- *The Thin Red Line* (1998), Fi1m 84, as Capt. John Gaff — [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-red-line.md)
- *Anastasia* (1997), Fi1m 64, as Dimitri (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/anastasia.md)
- *Con Air* (1997), Fi1m 74, as Agent Vince Larkin — [page](https://film.one/film/con-air.md)
- *Grosse Pointe Blank* (1997), Fi1m 55, as Martin Q. Blank — [page](https://film.one/film/grosse-pointe-blank.md)
- *Bullets Over Broadway* (1994), Fi1m 80, as David Shayne — [page](https://film.one/film/bullets-over-broadway.md)
- *Frasier* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Greg (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *The Player* (1992), Fi1m 85, as John Cusack — [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md)
- *The Grifters* (1990), Fi1m 84, as Roy Dillon — [page](https://film.one/film/the-grifters.md)
- *Say Anything...* (1989), Fi1m 81, as Lloyd Dobler — [page](https://film.one/film/say-anything.md)
- *Stand by Me* (1986), Fi1m 88, as Denny Lachance — [page](https://film.one/film/stand-by-me.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Adaptation.* (2002), Fi1m 83, as John Cusack (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/adaptation.md)

## Complete filmography (99)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Fog of War* (2025), as Bob Duncolm
- *Detective Chinatown 1900* (2025), as Grant — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/detective-chinatown-1900.md)
- *Decoded* (2024), as 希伊斯
- *Pursuit* (2022), as John Calloway
- *Utopia* (2020), series, as Dr. Kevin Christie
- *Never Grow Old* (2019), as Christopher 'Dutch' Albert
- *River Runs Red* (2018), as Horace
- *Distorted* (2018), as Vernon Sarsfield
- *Singularity* (2017), as Elias Van Dorne
- *Blood Money* (2017), as Miller
- *Arsenal* (2017), as Sal
- *The Fog Bowl* (2016), as Narrator (voice)
- *Cell* (2016), as Clayton 'Clay' Riddell · Executive Producer
- *Chi-Raq* (2015), as Fr. Mike Corridan
- *Love & Mercy* (2015), as Brian Wilson 1980s
- *Hot Tub Time Machine 2* (2015), as Adam (uncredited)
- *Dragon Blade* (2015), as Lucius
- *Drive Hard* (2014), as Simon Keller
- *Reclaim* (2014), as Benjamin
- *The Prince* (2014), as Sam
- *Maps to the Stars* (2014), as Dr. Stafford Weiss
- *The Bag Man* (2014), as Jack
- *Doll & Em* (2014), series, as John
- *Adult World* (2014), as Rat Billings
- *Grand Piano* (2013), as Clem
- *We're No Animals* (2013), as Tony Lovecraft · Writer, Producer
- *The Butler* (2013), as Richard Nixon — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-butler.md)
- *The Frozen Ground* (2013), as Robert Hansen
- *The Numbers Station* (2013), as Emerson
- *The Factory* (2012), as Mike Fletcher
- *The Paperboy* (2012), as Hillary Van Wetter
- *The Raven* (2012), as Edgar Allan Poe
- *Shanghai* (2010), as Paul Soames
- *Hot Tub Time Machine* (2010), as Adam · Producer
- *The End of the World: The Actor's Perspective* (2010), Presenter
- *2012: Roland Emmerich - Master of the Modern Epic* (2010), Presenter
- *2012* (2009), as Jackson Curtis — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/2012.md)
- *Igor* (2008), as Igor (voice)
- *War, Inc.* (2008), as Brand Hauser · Writer, Producer
- *Summerhood* (2008), as Narrator (uncredited)
- *Guyville Redux* (2008), Actor
- *Grace Is Gone* (2007), as Stanley Philipps · Producer
- *Martian Child* (2007), as David
- *1408* (2007), as Mike Enslin
- *The Contract* (2006), as Ray
- *The Ice Harvest* (2005), as Charlie
- *Must Love Dogs* (2005), as Jake
- *Runaway Jury* (2003), as Nick Easter
- *The Road to The Sure Thing* (2003), Actor
- *Identity* (2003), as Ed
- *Adaptation.* (2002), as John Cusack (uncredited) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/adaptation.md)
- *Max* (2002), as Max Rothman · Associate Producer
- *Serendipity* (2001), as Jonathan Trager
- *America's Sweethearts* (2001), as Eddie Thomas
- *High Fidelity* (2000), as Rob · Screenplay, Co-Producer, Music Supervisor — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/high-fidelity.md)
- *Cradle Will Rock* (1999), as Nelson Rockefeller
- *Being John Malkovich* (1999), as Craig Schwartz — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/being-john-malkovich.md)
- *This Is My Father* (1999), as Eddie Sharp
- *Pushing Tin* (1999), as Nick Falzone
- *The Jack Bull* (1999), as Myrl Redding · Executive Producer
- *The Thin Red Line* (1998), as Capt. John Gaff — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-red-line.md)
- *Chicago Cab* (1998), as Scary Man · Executive Producer
- *Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil* (1997), as John Kelso
- *Anastasia* (1997), as Dimitri (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/anastasia.md)
- *Eastwood on Eastwood* (1997), as Narrator (voice)
- *Con Air* (1997), as Agent Vince Larkin — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/con-air.md)
- *Grosse Pointe Blank* (1997), as Martin Q. Blank · Screenplay, Co-Producer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/grosse-pointe-blank.md)
- *City Hall* (1996), as Kevin Calhoun
- *TFI Friday* (1996), series, Actor
- *Floundering* (1994), as JC · Additional Dialogue
- *The Road to Wellville* (1994), as Charles Ossining
- *Bullets Over Broadway* (1994), as David Shayne — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/bullets-over-broadway.md)
- *Baseball* (1994), series, as Voice, (voice)
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Greg (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Money for Nothing* (1993), as Joey Coyle
- *Map of the Human Heart* (1993), as The Mapmaker
- *Bob Roberts* (1992), as Cutting Edge Host
- *The Player* (1992), as John Cusack — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md)
- *Roadside Prophets* (1992), as Caspar
- *Shadows and Fog* (1991), as Student Jack
- *True Colors* (1991), as Peter Burton
- *The Grifters* (1990), as Roy Dillon — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-grifters.md)
- *Fat Man and Little Boy* (1989), as Michael Merriman
- *Say Anything...* (1989), as Lloyd Dobler — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/say-anything.md)
- *Elvis Stories* (1989), as Corky
- *Tapeheads* (1988), as Ivan Alexeev
- *Eight Men Out* (1988), as Buck Weaver
- *Broadcast News* (1987), as Angry Messenger — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/broadcast-news.md)
- *Hot Pursuit* (1987), as Dan Bartlett
- *Stand by Me* (1986), as Denny Lachance — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/stand-by-me.md)
- *One Crazy Summer* (1986), as Hoops McCann
- *The Journey of Natty Gann* (1985), as Harry
- *Better Off Dead...* (1985), as Lane Meyer
- *The Sure Thing* (1985), as Walter "Gib" Gibson
- *Grandview, U.S.A.* (1984), as Johnny Maine
- *Sixteen Candles* (1984), as Bryce
- *Class* (1983), as Roscoe
- *Why Is It Always Me?* (1980), as Mike
- *My Only Sunshine*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![John Cusack as Rob in High Fidelity (2000)](https://film.one/media/title/5232/still-854cf2c0d182.jpg) John Cusack as Rob in *High Fidelity* (2000) — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything... (1989)](https://film.one/media/title/6454/still-6e9437e7bd47.jpg) John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler in *Say Anything...* (1989) — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack as Martin Q. Blank in Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)](https://film.one/media/title/4533/still-fde019df5429.jpg) John Cusack as Martin Q. Blank in *Grosse Pointe Blank* (1997) — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack](https://film.one/media/person/77402/gallery-f1d4ea60ed1e.jpg) John Cusack — Gerald Geronimo, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/John_Cusack_Comic-Con_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![John Cusack](https://film.one/media/person/77402/gallery-ffabd79c40af.jpg) John Cusack — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack](https://film.one/media/person/77402/gallery-874e2d545579.jpg) John Cusack — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack](https://film.one/media/person/77402/gallery-d560f6d8c78f.jpg) John Cusack — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack](https://film.one/media/person/77402/gallery-c9786962c46c.jpg) John Cusack — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack](https://film.one/media/person/77402/gallery-9f88c0837c29.jpg) John Cusack — Image via TMDB
- ![John Cusack](https://film.one/media/person/77402/gallery-293197fcc42a.jpg) John Cusack — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### BAFTA Film Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2001: Best Adapted Screenplay (nominated), for *High Fidelity*

### Golden Globes — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2000: Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *High Fidelity*

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- 2014: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *The Butler*
- 2000: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Being John Malkovich*

### Other awards — 1 won, 3 nominated

- Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 2001: Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (nominated), for *High Fidelity*
- Independent Spirit Awards 2000: Best Male Lead (nominated), for *Being John Malkovich*
- Teen Choice Award for Choice Hissy Fit 2000: Teen Choice Award for Choice Hissy Fit (nominated), for *High Fidelity*
- Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture 1999: Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture (won), for *The Thin Red Line*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-cusack