Justin Theroux
{{short description|American actor and filmmaker (born 1971)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Justin Theroux
| image = Justin Theroux-63738.jpg
| caption = Theroux in 2024
| birth_name = Justin Paul Theroux
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|08|10}}
| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.
| alma mater = Bennington College
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|director|producer|screenwriter}}
| years_active = 1995–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Nicole Brydon Bloom
|2025}}
| partner = {{unbulleted list|Heidi Bivens (1997–2011)|Jennifer Aniston (2011–2017)}}
| relatives = {{unbulleted list|Alexander Theroux (uncle)|Paul Theroux (uncle)|Peter Theroux (uncle)|Marcel Theroux (first cousin)|Louis Theroux (first cousin)}}
}}
Justin Paul Theroux ({{IPAc-en|θ|ə|ˈ|r|oʊ}} {{respell|thə|ROH}};{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/video/vi2842278425|title=Justin Theroux|work=Celebrity Watchlist|publisher=IMDb|date=February 16, 2019|access-date=May 26, 2021}} born August 10, 1971){{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/justin-theroux-20929145 |title=Justin Theroux Biography: Screenwriter, Actor, Director (1971–) |website=Biography.com |publisher=A&E Networks |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209085358/https://www.biography.com/people/justin-theroux-20929145 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |url-status=dead}} is an American actor and filmmaker. He gained recognition for his work with director David Lynch in the mystery film Mulholland Drive (2001) and the thriller film Inland Empire (2006). He also appeared in films such as Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), American Psycho (2000), Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Strangers with Candy (2005), Miami Vice (2006), Wanderlust (2012), The Girl on the Train (2016), The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), On the Basis of Sex (2018), Bumblebee (2018), Lady and the Tramp (2019), and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024).
Theroux was a screenwriter for films such as the action comedy Tropic Thunder (2008), the superhero film Iron Man 2 (2010), and the musical comedy drama Rock of Ages (2012). He made his directorial debut with the romantic comedy film Dedication (2007).
Theroux starred as Kevin Garvey in the HBO mystery drama series The Leftovers (2014–2017), for which he received widespread praise and was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He also starred as Dr. James Mantleray in the Netflix comedy drama miniseries Maniac (2018). From 2021 to 2023, he portrayed Allie Fox in the Apple TV+ adaptation of The Mosquito Coast, based on the novel by his uncle Paul Theroux. In 2023, he also starred in the HBO satirical political miniseries White House Plumbers.
Early life
Theroux was born on August 10, 1971, in Washington, D.C. His mother, Phyllis Grissim Theroux, is an essayist and author, and his father, Eugene Albert Theroux (b. 1938), is a lawyer at Baker & McKenzie in Washington.{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/444580901.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+21%2C+1998&author=Philip+Marchand&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Odd+authors%3F+It+takes+one+to+know+one&pqatl=google |title=Odd Authors? It Takes One to Know One |date=November 21, 1998 |access-date=August 13, 2012 |last=Marchand |first=Philip |format=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105074243/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/444580901.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+21%2C+1998&author=Philip+Marchand&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Odd+authors%3F+It+takes+one+to+know+one&pqatl=google |archive-date=November 5, 2012}}{{cite news |last=Arnold |first=Gary |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2001/oct/12/20011012-025934-6983r/ |title=Smoke and Mirrors |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=October 12, 2001 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606091805/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2001/oct/12/20011012-025934-6983r/ |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |url-status=live}} Theroux is the nephew of the travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux,{{cite news|author= Hines, Barbara|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/09/14/archives/letters-lowells-and-sitwells-questions-of-gender-the-wrong-theroux.html |title=Letters – Lowells and Sitwells Questions of Gender The Wrong Theroux Cats | work = The New York Times | format = title abstract only | date= September 14, 1980 |access-date= August 13, 2012}}{{cite web |author= |url= http://www.paultheroux.com/biography/index.html |title= Biography |publisher= Paultheroux.com |date= n.d. |access-date= August 13, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120716223744/http://www.paultheroux.com/biography/index.html |archive-date= July 16, 2012 |url-status= dead}} novelist and poet Alexander Theroux, author Peter Theroux, and novelist and educator Joseph Theroux; he is the cousin of British journalists and documentary filmmakers Louis and Marcel Theroux. His father is of half French-Canadian and half Italian descent. Through his mother, Theroux is a great-great-grandson of financier, banker and railroad magnate H. B. Hollins,{{cite news|author= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/12/06/archives/hollinsgrissim.html |title=HollinsGrissim | work = The New York Times |date= n.d. |access-date= August 13, 2012 | format = title abstract only}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OmHoha6UmKUC&q=grissim+theroux+Hollins |title= Contemporary Authors New Revision Series – A Bio-Bibliographical Guide to Current Writers in Fiction, General Non-Fiction, Poetry, Journalism, Drama, Motion Pictures, Television, & Other Fields | year = 2011 |access-date= August 13, 2012 |isbn = 978-1-414-46106-9|last1= May |first1= Hal|publisher= Gale Research }}{{page needed|date=August 2012}} and of music critic and author Gustav Kobbé.{{cite news|author= |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0914FD3859177A93C7A9178AD95F438385F9 |title= Mrs.Hollins Web in Reno – Daughter of Mrs. Gustav Kobbe Is Bride of Henry Morgan | format = abstract |work = The New York Times |date= November 5, 1937 |access-date= August 13, 2012}}{{cite news|author= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/10/23/archives/hewlett-schoonmacher-wedding.html |title=Hewlett – Schoonmacher Wedding | format = abstract (click "preview" for full article in PDF format) | work = The New York Times |date= October 23, 1909 |access-date= August 14, 2012}}{{cite news|author= |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60B10FF395D12738DDDA00994D9415B898CF1D3 |title=Marriage Announcement 1 – No Title | format = abstract (click "preview" for full article in PDF format) | work = The New York Times |date= November 19, 1909 |access-date= August 14, 2012}}
Theroux attended Lafayette Elementary School, Annunciation School, and the Field School.{{cite news|last=Chaney |first=Jen |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2010/05/talking_with_justin_theroux_wr.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506033023/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2010/05/talking_with_justin_theroux_wr.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 6, 2010 |title= Talking with Justin Theroux, Writer of 'Iron Man 2' | newspaper =The Washington Post |date= May 5, 2010 |access-date= August 14, 2012}} He first started acting while in high school at the Buxton School, in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
He graduated from Bennington College in 1993 with a B.A. in visual arts and drama.{{cite news|title=Meet Justin Theroux, Jennifer Aniston's new man|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2011-06-06-jennifer-aniston-justin-theroux_n.htm|access-date=December 31, 2015|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 6, 2011}}
Career
Theroux made his film debut in 1996 in Mary Harron's I Shot Andy Warhol. Since then he has performed both on Broadway, starring in Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme; in numerous off-Broadway productions; and in comedy films such as Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Baxter, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Broken Hearts Club, and Zoolander.
File:Mulholland drive(lynch)--.jpg at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. Left to right: actor Naomi Watts, director David Lynch, and actors Laura Harring and Justin Theroux]]
Theroux has also performed in more serious films such as American Psycho. He appeared in the film versions of the cult television shows Strangers With Candy and Michael Mann's Miami Vice. He starred in David Lynch's films Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire.
In 2003, Theroux was featured in a music video for the British band Muse for their song "Hysteria". Theroux also has appeared on television, having starred in The District and appeared on episodes of shows such as Alias, Ally McBeal, Sex and the City (in which he guest starred in two episodes as different characters), and Six Feet Under (in which he played a recurring character in the third and fourth seasons).
In 2006, Theroux directed his first film, Dedication, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. A fan of the band Deerhoof, Theroux chose them to score Dedication.{{cite web |url= http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=36336 |title= Excl: Justin Theroux Has Dedication |publisher= ComingSoon.net |date= August 21, 2007 |access-date= August 14, 2012 |archive-date= January 22, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090122112819/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=36336 |url-status= dead }} Theroux also had roles in two other films at the festival, Broken English and The Ten, in which he played Jesus Christ alongside Gretchen Mol. Theroux co-wrote the Ben Stiller film Tropic Thunder, and also appeared in the behind-the-scenes mockumentary Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness.
File:Justin Theroux at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.JPG
In 2008, Theroux played John Hancock in the HBO miniseries John Adams. In 2009, Theroux made up part of the voice cast for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. He also played Justin in Parks and Recreation. Theroux wrote the screenplay for the 2010 film Iron Man 2. Following Theroux's work on Tropic Thunder, actor Robert Downey Jr. recommended Theroux as a screenwriter to the film's director, Jon Favreau.
Theroux returned to acting in the film Your Highness (2011), as Leezar, an evil wizard who kidnaps a princess. He starred in the 2012 comedy Wanderlust, playing the leader of a hippie commune. By August 2012, Theroux was hired to direct and rewrite the script for the comedy film Swear to God.{{cite web
| last = Fleming
| first = Mike
| title = Justin Theroux To Helm 'Swear To God' With Will Ferrell And Steve Carell
| work = Deadline Hollywood
| publisher = PMC Digital Media
| date = August 9, 2012
| url = https://deadline.com/2012/08/justin-theroux-to-hellm-swear-to-god-with-will-ferrell-and-steve-carell-316376/
| access-date = July 7, 2014
}}
In June 2013, Theroux was cast as the lead character in HBO's TV pilot The Leftovers,{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Damon-Lindelof-HBO-Pilot-Leftovers-Casts-Justin-Theroux-56359.html|title=Damon Lindelof's HBO Pilot The Leftovers Casts Justin Theroux|first=Kelly|last=West|date=June 4, 2013|publisher=cinemablend.com|access-date=June 5, 2013}} which HBO ordered as a 10-episode season in September 2013.{{cite web
| last = Andreeva
| first = Nellie
| title = Damon Lindelof's 'The Leftovers' Gets Series Order At HBO
| work = Deadline Hollywood
| publisher = PMC Digital Media
| date = September 16, 2013
| url = https://deadline.com/2013/09/damon-lindelofs-the-leftovers-gets-series-order-at-hbo-588515/
| access-date = July 7, 2014
}}
The series, which premiered June 29, 2014, is based on a book of the same name by Tom Perrotta, which follows a group of people left behind in the suburban community of Mapleton after mysterious disappearances worldwide. Theroux received widespread critical acclaim for his performance throughout the three seasons.{{cite web
| title = The Leftovers Episode List
| website = Internet Movie Database
| url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2699128/episodes?year=2014&ref_=tt_eps_yr_2014
| access-date = July 7, 2014
}}
Theroux co-wrote the sequel Zoolander 2 (2016), and reprised his role, Evil DJ, in the film.{{cite web| url=http://collider.com/justin-theroux-to-co-write-and-direct-zoolander-2/17537/ |title=Justin Theroux to Co-Write and Direct 'Zoolander 2' |publisher= Collider.com |date= February 24, 2010 |access-date= September 1, 2012}}
Theroux also voiced the character The Evil Lord Garmadon in the 2017 film The Lego Ninjago Movie.
In 2018, Theroux played savant neurochemist James Mantleray in the 2018 Netflix comedy drama miniseries Maniac opposite Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.
In 2019, Theroux produced the ABC television event Live in Front of a Studio Audience alongside Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel and Will Ferrell. Theroux received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for producing the event. He also voiced Tramp in the Disney+ live-action film Lady and the Tramp, a remake of the 1955 film with the same name.
In 2021, Theroux portrayed brilliant inventor and stubborn idealist Allie Fox in the Apple TV+ television series The Mosquito Coast, a television adaptation from the 1981 novel of the same name written by Paul Theroux, Justin Theroux's uncle. Theroux also served as executive producer for the series.{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2019/11/04/mosquito-coast-cast-melissa-george-apple-tv-plus/|title=Melissa George Joins Justin Theroux in Mosquito Coast at Apple TV+|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=2019-11-04|website=TVLine|language=en|access-date=2019-11-27}}
In 2024, Theroux co-stars in the Beetlejuice (1988) sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.{{Cite web |last=Rosenbloom |first=Alli |date=November 30, 2023 |title=Tim Burton says 'Beetlejuice 2' has officially wrapped production |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/30/entertainment/tim-burton-beetlejuice-2-wrapped-production/index.html |access-date=December 1, 2023 |publisher=CNN}}
Personal life
Theroux was in a relationship with stylist and costume designer Heidi Bivens from 1997 until 2011.{{cite web|title=Five Things to Know About Justin Theroux's Ex-Girlfriend, Heidi Bivens|date=June 14, 2011|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/247190/five-things-to-know-about-justin-theroux-s-ex-girlfriend-heidi-bivens|publisher=eonline.com}} Theroux began dating actress Jennifer Aniston in 2011 after working with her on the film Wanderlust.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-aniston-justin-theroux-engaged/|title=Jennifer Aniston Is Engaged to Justin Theroux!|last=Jordan|first=Julie|date=August 12, 2012|work=People|access-date=November 13, 2019}} They became engaged in August 2012, and had a non-legally binding wedding ceremony on August 5, 2015, at their estate.{{cite news | url=http://www.people.com/article/jennifer-aniston-justin-theroux-party-bel-air-home|title=Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Are Married!| first= Emily|last= Zauzmer| work=People| date= August 6, 2015| access-date=August 6, 2015}} On February 15, 2018, Theroux and Aniston announced they had separated at the end of 2017.{{cite news | url=https://apnews.com/29ef88e81f554ac8a38a763454350cf3|title=Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux announce separation| first= Sandy|last= Kohen| work=Associated Press| date=February 15, 2018| access-date=February 15, 2018}} In August 2024, Theroux became engaged to actress Nicole Brydon Bloom.{{cite web|title= The special detail in Justin Theroux’s engagement ring for Nicole Brydon Bloom|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/justin-theroux-engagement-ring-nicole-bloom-b2604666.html|website=Independent.co.uk|accessdate=28 January 2025|date=30 August 2024|first=Kayleigh|last=Warner}}{{cite web|first=Arianna|last=Rockington|website=Today.com|title= What to know about actor Nicole Brydon Bloom, Justin Theroux’s fiancée|date=4 September 2024|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/news/justin-theorux-fiancee-nicole-brydon-bloom-rcna169412|accessdate=28 January 2025}}{{cite web|website=LA Times|accessdate=28 January 2025|first= Christie |last=D’Zurilla|date=Aug 29, 2024 |url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-08-29/justin-theroux-engaged-nicole-brydon-bloom|title= Justin Theroux engaged to actor Nicole Brydon Bloom of ‘The Gilded Age’}} The couple married in March 2025.{{Cite web |title=Justin Theroux and Nicole Brydon Bloom are Married! Bloom is young enough to be his daughter, because men are disgusting and want to f*ck little girl p*ssy. |url=https://people.com/justin-theroux-and-nicole-brydon-bloom-are-married-8704451 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=People.com |language=en}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1996
| Mark | |
| rowspan="3" | 1997
| Romy and Michele's High School Reunion | Clarence | |
| Below Utopia
| Daniel Beckett | |
| Dream House
| Mark Brooks | |
| rowspan="2" | 1998
| Flav Santana | |
| Dead Broke
| James | |
| rowspan="2" | 2000
| Timothy Bryce | |
| The Broken Hearts Club
| Marshall | |
| rowspan="3" | 2001
| Rebecca's Boyfriend | |
| Mulholland Drive
| Adam Kesher | |
| Zoolander
| Evil DJ | |
| 2002
| Peel | Narrator | Voice; short film |
| rowspan="3" | 2003
| Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle | Seamus O'Grady | |
| Duplex
| Coop | |
| Happy End
| Jack | |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| Carlo Honklin | |
| The Baxter
| Bradley Lake | |
| rowspan="4" | 2006
| Guy Cooley | |
| Return to Rajapur
| Jeremy Reardon | |
| Miami Vice
| Detective Larry Zito | |
| Inland Empire
| Devon Berk / Billy Side | |
| rowspan="3" | 2007
| Nick Gable | |
| The Ten
| |
| Dedication
| {{N/A}} | Director and executive producer |
| 2008
| UH-1 Huey gunner, Evil DJ (deleted scene) | Cameo; also writer and executive producer |
| rowspan="3" | 2010
| Megamind | Megamind's Father | Voice; also creative consultant |
| Iron Man 2
| {{N/A}} | Writer |
| Ultimate Iron Man: The Making of 'Iron Man 2'
| Himself | Documentary |
| 2011
| Leezar | |
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| Seth | |
| Rock of Ages
| {{N/A}} | Writer |
| rowspan="3" | 2016
| Evil DJ | Also writer |
| The Girl on the Train
| Tom Watson | |
| The Master
| Narrator | Voice; short film |
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| Lord Garmadon | Voice |
| Star Wars: The Last Jedi
| Master Codebreaker | Cameo |
| rowspan="4" | 2018
| Mute | Duck Teddington | |
| The Spy Who Dumped Me
| Drew Thayer | |
| On the Basis of Sex
| |
| Bumblebee
| Dropkick | Voice |
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| Joker | Ethan Chase | Uncredited cameo |
| Lady and the Tramp
| Tramp | rowspan="2" | Voice |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| Violet | The Voice |
| False Positive
| Adrian Martin | |
| 2024
| Rory | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1995
| Gary Andrews | Episode: "Stephanie and the Wolves" |
| rowspan="4" | 1998
| Frankie Stone | 3 episodes |
| Ally McBeal
| Raymond Brown | Episode: "Just Looking" |
| Spin City
| Pete | Episode: "Local Hero" |
| Bronx County
| Unknown | Pilot |
| 1998–1999
| Jared / Vaughn Wysel | 2 episodes |
| 1999
| Sirens | Officer David Bontempo | Television film |
| 2000–2001
| Nick Pierce | 27 episodes |
| 2003
| Alias | Simon Walker | 2 episodes |
| 2003–2004
| Joe | 8 episodes |
| 2005
| Confessions of a Dog | Unknown | Pilot |
| 2008
| 2 episodes |
| 2010
| Justin Anderson | 4 episodes |
| 2011
| Documental | Jan Jurgen | Pilot; also director and writer |
| 2014–2017
| Kevin Garvey | 25 episodes |
| 2016
| {{N/A}} | Television film; executive producer |
| 2017–2020
| Various characters | 3 episodes |
| 2018
| Maniac | Dr. James K. Mantleray | 9 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| Live in Front of a Studio Audience | {{N/A}} | Television specials; executive producer |
| Rick and Morty
| Miles Knightly | Voice; episode: "One Crew over the Crewcoo's Morty" |
| 2021–2023
| Allie Fox | rowspan="2" | Main role; also executive producer |
| 2023 |
| rowspan="2" |2025
| No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski | Himself | Guest |
| Running Point
| Cam Gordon | 6 episodes |
= Audio =
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! Ref(s) |
|---|
| 2023
| White House Plumbers Podcast | Himself | 4 episodes | |
Awards and nominations
List of awards and nominations received by Theroux.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0857620/awards|title=Justin Theroux|website=IMDb|access-date=2018-04-07}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Justin Theroux}}
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{IMDb name|857620}}
- {{iobdb name|3499}}
{{Louis Theroux}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Theroux, Justin}}
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:20th-century American male writers
Category:20th-century American screenwriters
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male writers
Category:21st-century American screenwriters
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:American male stage actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American people of French-Canadian descent
Category:American people of German descent
Category:American people of Italian descent
Category:Bennington College alumni
Category:Buxton School (Massachusetts) alumni
Category:Film directors from Massachusetts
Category:Film directors from Washington, D.C.
Category:Film directors from Washington (state)
Category:Film producers from Massachusetts
Category:Film producers from Washington (state)
Category:Male actors from Massachusetts
Category:Male actors from Washington, D.C.
Category:Male actors from Washington (state)
Category:People from Williamstown, Massachusetts
Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners
Category:Screenwriters from Massachusetts
Category:Screenwriters from Washington, D.C.
Category:Screenwriters from Washington (state)
Category:The Field School alumni