Rainn Wilson
{{Short description|American actor, comedian, producer, and writer (born 1966)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rainn Wilson
| image = Rainn Wilson Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2025 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Wilson at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2025
| other_names = Rainnfall Heat Wave Rising Sea Levels Wilson (social media)
| birth_name = Rainn Percival Dietrich Wilson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|1|20}}
| birth_place = Seattle, Washington, U.S.
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actor
- comedian
- podcaster
- producer
- writer
- director}}
| years_active = 1993–present
| education = Tufts University
University of Washington (BFA)
New York University (MFA)
| spouse = {{marriage|Holiday Reinhorn|1995}}
| children = 1
}}
Rainn Percival Dietrich Wilson (born January 20, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, podcaster, producer, writer, and director. He starred as Dwight Schrute on NBC's American adaptation of The Office from 2005 to 2013, and received three consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role.
Wilson began acting at the University of Washington. Following his 1986 graduation, he worked in theatre in New York City. He made his film debut in Galaxy Quest (1999), followed by supporting parts in Almost Famous (2000), Steven Soderbergh's Full Frontal (2002), and House of 1000 Corpses (2003). He also had a recurring part as Arthur Martin in the HBO series Six Feet Under from 2003 to 2005.
Wilson's other film credits include lead roles in the comedies The Rocker (2008) and Super (2010), and supporting roles in the horror films Cooties (2014) and The Boy (2015). In 2009, he was heard in the animated science fiction film Monsters vs. Aliens as the villain Gallaxhar, and voiced Gargamel in Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017). He has had the guest-starring role of Harry Mudd on Star Trek: Discovery (2017) and Star Trek: Short Treks (2018), and a supporting role in The Meg (2018). From 2018 to 2021, he had a recurring role as Trevor on seasons 6–8 of the CBS sitcom Mom. He is also the voice of Lex Luthor in the DC Animated Movie Universe. Outside of acting, Wilson published his autobiography, The Bassoon King, in 2015, and cofounded the digital media company SoulPancake in 2008.
Early life and education
Wilson was born on January 20, 1966,{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=January 20, 2023 |title=Today's famous birthdays list for January 20, 2023 includes celebrities Questlove, Rainn Wilson |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-january-20-2023-includes-celebrities-questlove-rainn-wilson.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120174158/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-january-20-2023-includes-celebrities-questlove-rainn-wilson.html |archive-date=20 January 2023 |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Cleveland.com}} at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington,{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060522&slug=rainnwilson22|work=The Seattle Times|title=From Shorecrest "loser" to "The Office" poser|first=Terry|last=Estudillo|date=May 22, 2006|access-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322150619/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/television/2003006650_rainnwilson22.html|archive-date=March 22, 2016|url-status=dead}} the son of Shay Cooper, a yoga teacher and actress, and Robert G. Wilson (1941–2020), a novelist, artist and business consultant who wrote the science fiction novel Tentacles of Dawn.Rainn showed the book and read from it on Jimmy Kimmel Live! March 22, 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.ncwlife.com/wenatchee-valley-artist-robert-wilson-dies-at-78/ |title=Wenatchee Valley artist Robert Wilson dies at 78 |website=ncwlife.com |last=Robbins |first=Jefferson |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2021}} Wilson is of part Norwegian ancestry.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-30 |title=Rainn Wilson: 32 Facts About the Actor Behind Everyone's Favorite Office Suck-Up - Hollywood Insider |url=https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/rainn-wilson-facts-32/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001135553/https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/rainn-wilson-facts-32/ |archive-date=2022-10-01 |access-date=2024-02-24 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=March 19, 2011 |title=Rainn Wilson on Jay Leno |url=http://www.officetally.com/rainn-wilson-on-jay-leno-2011-03 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 16, 2014 |website=OfficeTally.com |archive-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125223739/http://www.officetally.com/rainn-wilson-on-jay-leno-2011-03}} From ages three to five, he lived with his father and stepmother, Kristin, in Nicaragua before they returned to Seattle after their divorce.{{cite interview|first=Rainn|last=Wilson|work=WTF Podcast|interviewer=Marc Maron|date=November 7, 2011|title=Episode #225}} He attended Kellogg Middle School and Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington, where he played the clarinet and bassoon in the school band.{{cite web |title=Rainn Wilson on Myspace |url=https://www.myspace.com/rainnwilson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108101134/https://myspace.com/rainnwilson |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 8, 2014 |access-date=March 23, 2011 |publisher=Myspace.com}} He transferred to and graduated from New Trier High School after his family moved to Wilmette, Illinois, to serve at the Baháʼí National Center.
Wilson attended Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, before transferring to the University of Washington in Seattle, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in drama in 1986. He then enrolled in New York University's Graduate Acting Program at the Tisch School of the Arts where he graduated with an MFA in acting{{cite web | title=NYU Graduate Acting Alumni | url=http://gradacting.tisch.nyu.edu/object/ga_alumbios.html | year=2011 | access-date=December 8, 2011 | archive-date=July 5, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705121632/http://gradacting.tisch.nyu.edu/object/ga_alumbios.html | url-status=dead}} and was a member of The Acting Company.{{cite web|work=Television Without Pity|url=http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/the_office/the_bj_novak_interview.php?page=11|title=The B.J. Novak Interview|first=Wing|last=Chung|date=March 1, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518170406/http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/the_office/the_bj_novak_interview.php?page=11|archive-date=May 18, 2011}} Between acting jobs in New York City, he drove a moving van to make ends meet.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17742095|title=Rainn Wilson leaves cubicle for the big screen|work = NBC News |access-date=November 2, 2010}}
Wilson worked extensively in the theater early in his career, performing with The Public Theater, the Ensemble Studio Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, the Roundabout, and the Guthrie Theater, among others. He played one of the eight chorus members in Richard Foreman's 1996 production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Venus,{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Greg|date=1996-05-03|title=Venus Joseph Papp Public Theater's Martinson Hall, N.Y.; 195 Seats; $30|language=en-US|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/venus-joseph-papp-public-theater-s-martinson-hall-n-y-195-seats-30-1200445919/|access-date=2021-03-23}} and was nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his work at the Arena Stage.
Career
=1997–2004: Early roles=
Wilson first appeared onscreen in 1997 in an episode of the soap opera One Life to Live, followed by a supporting role in the television film The Expendables (1999).{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-03-23-0703240030-story.html|work=The Chicago Tribune|title=Rainn Storm|date=March 23, 2007|access-date=January 31, 2022}} He made his feature film debut in Galaxy Quest (1999), followed by a minor supporting role in Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous (2000). In 2001, he played Dennis Van De Meer in When Billie Beat Bobby.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258446/fullcredits | title=When Billie Beat Bobby (TV Movie 2001) - IMDb | website=IMDb}} In 2002, he was cast in a lead role in Rob Zombie's horror film House of 1000 Corpses (2003).{{cite web|url=http://www.ifc.com/2013/07/five-surprising-facts-about-rob-zombies-house-of-1000-corpses|work=IFC.com|title=Five Fun Facts About Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=December 29, 2016|first=Melissa|last=Locker}} Beginning in 2003, Wilson played Arthur Martin, an intern at Fisher & Diaz Funeral Home in HBO's Six Feet Under, earning a Screen Actors Guild award for best drama ensemble for the series. He also had minor roles in America's Sweethearts (2001) and the Melvin van Peebles biopic Baadasssss! (2003). He guest-starred in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Entourage,{{cite web|url=http://entourageshow.blogspot.com/2008/07/rainn-wilsons-talks-about-entourage.html|work=Entourage The Blog|title=Rainn Wilsons Talks About Entourage!|date=July 17, 2008}} Monk, Numbers, Charmed, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job, and Reno 911!.
=2005–2013: ''The Office'' and recognition=
In 2005, Wilson appeared in the comedy film Sahara{{cite web|url=http://www.amc.com/talk/2012/06/story-notes-trivia-sahara|work=AMC.com|title=Story Notes for Sahara|access-date=February 26, 2017}} and in the independent mockumentary film The Life Coach. The same year, he was cast as neurotic assistant manager Dwight Schrute in the network series The Office,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/offices-rainn-wilson-art-faith-837833/|work=The Hollywood Reporter|title=Rainn Wilson on Art, Faith and Keeping Dwight Schrute Alive (Q&A)|first=Katie Wilson|last=Berg|date=November 9, 2015|access-date=January 31, 2022}} for which he was nominated for Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and won two SAG awards as part of Best Comedy Ensemble on the series. As well as acting on the series, he directed three episodes: "The Cover-Up" (season 6), "Classy Christmas" (season 7) and "Get the Girl" (season 8).{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
On February 24, 2007, Wilson hosted Saturday Night Live, becoming the second The Office cast member to host (after Steve Carell). During the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, Wilson appeared in ads for the 2007 United States women's national soccer team as public relations manager "Jim Mike". In August 2010, he appeared in the music video for Ferraby Lionheart's "Harry and Bess" and Andy Grammer's "Keep Your Head Up" as the "creepy elevator guy".
Wilson starred in the Fox Atomic comedy The Rocker (2008).{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1588148/rainn-wilson-says-hed-trade-acting-for-drumming-in-a-heartbeat-at-sneak-peek-week-screening-of-the-rocker/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227233120/http://www.mtv.com/news/1588148/rainn-wilson-says-hed-trade-acting-for-drumming-in-a-heartbeat-at-sneak-peek-week-screening-of-the-rocker/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2017|work=MTV|title=Rainn Wilson Says He'd Trade Acting For Drumming In 'A Heartbeat'|date=May 28, 2008|first=Shawn|last=Adler|access-date=December 22, 2016}} In 2009 he joined the voice cast of DreamWorks Animation film Monsters vs. Aliens as villainous alien overlord Gallaxhar; and was featured in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, playing a university professor. In 2010, he had the lead role of the unhinged protagonist in Super. Critic Roger Ebert faulted the script, but praised Wilson's performance: "[Wilson] never seems to be trying to be funny, and that's a strength."{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/super-2011|work=The Chicago Sun-Times|title=Super Movie Review|access-date=February 22, 2017|date=April 6, 2011|author=Ebert, Roger}}
For his role of Paul, the bereft father, in Hesher (2011), Roger Ebert said of Wilson's work: “He has that rare quality in an actor, an uncanny presence. There are a few like him (Jack Nicholson, Christopher Walken, Bill Murray) who need only to look at something to establish an attitude toward it. Yes, they can get worked up, they can operate on high, but their passive essence is the point: dubious, wise, sadly knowledgable [sic], at an angle to the throughline. Other actors could sit on a sofa and watch TV, but Rainn Wilson makes it a statement. A statement of … nothing, which is the point."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hesher-2011|title=Hesher Movie Review & Film Summary (2011) {{!}} Roger Ebert|last=Ebert|first=Roger|website=www.rogerebert.com|language=en|access-date=August 28, 2017}}
=2014–present: continued film and television=
In 2014, Wilson had roles in the independent horror comedy Cooties and the thriller The Boy (2015).{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/91825/sxsw-2015-boys-festival-poster-teases-birth-sociopath/|title=The Boy|date=March 2013|website=Dread Central}} In the Fox crime-drama series Backstrom, he played Everett Backstrom, an offensive, self-destructive detective, based on Leif G. W. Persson's Swedish book series of the same name.{{cite web| url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/03/rainn-wilsons-next-show-is-a-cbs-crime-drama-called-backstrom.html|title= Rainn Wilson's Next Show is a CBS Crime-Drama Called Backstrom | date= March 18, 2013 | website=Vulture}} Wilson was also one of the show's producers. It was cancelled by Fox after 13 episodes.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/backstrom-cancelled-fox-1201423347/|title='Backstrom' Cancelled By Fox|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=May 8, 2015|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 18, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007093905/http://deadline.com/2015/05/backstrom-cancelled-fox-1201423347/|url-status=dead}} In 2016, Wilson appeared as a guest star on the TV series Roadies.
In 2017, Wilson voiced Gargamel in the 2017 animated reboot of Smurfs: The Lost Village for Sony Pictures Animation.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-demi-lovato-rainn-wilson-smurfy-smurfs-reboot-20150615-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|title=Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson to 'Get Smurfy' in Sony reboot|last=Gettell|first=Oliver|date=June 15, 2015|access-date=December 30, 2016}} He also starred in the independent comedy film Permanent, directed by Colette Burson and produced by 2929 Entertainment.{{cite web|url=http://www.magpicturesinternational.com/permanent/|title=Permanent|website=Magnolia Pictures International}} Wilson starred in Shimmer Lake (2017) for Netflix and The Meg (2018) for Warner Brothers.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/rainn-wilson-meg-prehistoric-shark-movie-jason-statham-1201805614/|title=Rainn Wilson Joins Jason Statham In Prehistoric-Shark Tale 'Meg'|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=August 18, 2016|newspaper=Deadline|access-date=October 18, 2016|language=en-US}}
Wilson was cast in the guest role of Harry Mudd in Star Trek: Discovery, and directed the Star Trek: Short Treks episode "The Escape Artist".{{Cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/rainn-wilson-star-trek-short-the-escape-artist-interview|title=Rainn Wilson reveals details behind that character twist in his Star Trek short 'The Escape Artist'|first=Ryan|last=Britt|date=January 3, 2019|website=SYFY WIRE}} He has voiced Lex Luthor in various DC animated films, including The Death of Superman, Reign of the Supermen, Batman: Hush, and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
In 2019, Wilson appeared in the independent drama Blackbird, and in 2020 starred in the independent thriller Don't Tell a Soul.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/rainn-wilson-mena-suvari-fionn-whitehead-jack-dylan-grazer-dont-tell-a-soul-movie-1202533810/|title=Rainn Wilson, Mena Suvari, Fionn Whitehead, Jack Dylan Grazer Topline 'Don't Tell A Soul' Thriller|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2019-01-11|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-09-04}} In 2020, he was also a series regular in the Amazon Original Series Utopia as virologist Dr. Michael Sterns.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} On October 10, 2019, he was featured in the 30-minute YouTube documentary Laughing Matters, created by SoulPancake in collaboration with Funny or Die, wherein a variety of comedians discuss mental health.{{Citation|title=Comedians Tackling Depression & Anxiety Makes Us Feel Seen {{!}} Laughing Matters {{!}} Documentary| date=October 10, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBV-7_qGlr4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/TBV-7_qGlr4| archive-date=2021-10-30|language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}}{{cbignore}} Wilson was cast as the villain in the upcoming animated film Hitpig!.{{cite news |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |title='Hitpig': Peter Dinklage, Lilly Singh, Rainn Wilson, RuPaul, Hannah Gadsby & Dany Boon To Voice Animated Movie |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/peter-dinklage-lilly-singh-rainn-wilson-rupaul-hannah-gadsby-dany-boon-voice-animated-movie-hitpig-1234601710/ |work=Deadline |date=22 October 2020}} In 2020, he executive-produced and narrated the Netflix documentary series We Are the Champions.
Wilson played Trevor Wells, the recurring therapist to Bonnie (Allison Janney) on nine episodes of the CBS sitcom Mom.{{Cite web |title=Rainn Wilson on Mom: Everything you need to know about Bonnie's therapist Trevor Wells |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni62404668/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}} He was also cast in mystery series Dark Winds on AMC.{{Cite web |last=Lovitt |first=Maggie |date=2021-09-05 |title=AMC's 'Dark Winds' Thriller TV Series Casts Rainn Wilson as a Degenerate Missionary |url=https://collider.com/dark-winds-tv-show-cast-rainn-wilson/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Collider |language=en}} In 2023, Wilson appeared in four episodes of Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV.{{Cite web |title=Rainn Wilson's Perfectly Monstrous 'Lessons In Chemistry's Boss Will Make You Miss Dwight K. Schrute |work=Decider |date=October 27, 2023 |url=https://decider.com/2023/10/27/rainn-wilson-lessons-in-chemistry-phil-episode-4-recap-apple-tv/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |language=en-US}}
Wilson presented the travel series Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss in 2023 for Peacock.{{Cite web |title=Watch Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss {{!}} Peacock |url=https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/rainn-wilson-and-the-geography-of-bliss |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=@peacocktv |language=en-US}} Wilson's other streaming credits include a role in Jerry & Marge Go Large for Paramount+,{{Cite web |title=Larry Wilmore, Rainn Wilson Join Annette Bening and Bryan Cranston in 'Jerry and Marge Go Large' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni63368693/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}} and a loose depiction of Dr. Demento in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-07 |title=Things are getting 'Weird' for Rainn Wilson in his latest performance |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/tv/rainn-wilson-on-his-turn-as-dr-demento-in-weird-the-al-yankovic-story/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} Wilson is set to play a lead role in Code 3, a buddy comedy film.{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2023-01-30 |title=Aimee Carrero To Lead Buddy Film 'Code 3' Opposite Rainn Wilson & Lil Rel Howery |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/aimee-carrero-cast-code-3-rainn-wilson-lil-rel-howery-1235244775/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
In February 2025, Wilson is set to portray Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown at New York City Center as a part of their Encores! series.[https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Rainn-Wilson-Kevin-Cahoon-More-Complete-URINETOWN-Cast-at-Encores-20241204 Rainn Wilson, Kevin Cahoon, & More Complete URINETOWN Cast at Encores!]
Other ventures
Wilson co-founded the website and YouTube channel SoulPancake with Joshua Homnick and Devon Gundry in 2008.{{Cite web |last=Brunner |first=Jeryl |title=How Rainn Wilson Built SoulPancake Into One Of The Coolest Digital Entertainment Companies |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerylbrunner/2018/01/31/how-rainn-wilson-built-soulpancake-into-one-of-the-coolest-digital-entertainment-companies/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Forbes |language=en}} As of February 20, 2019, the channel had over 3 million subscribers and 557 million video views. The channel was featured on Oprah Winfrey's Satellite Radio Show and Super Soul Sunday{{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahradio/oss/20090309_oradio_oss_rwilson|title=Rainn Wilson on Oprah's Radio Show|work=Oprah.com|date=March 9, 2009}} and was named one of Fast Company's 10 Most Innovative Companies in Video for 2015.[1] In 2015, it was ranked No. 114 on the Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America List.{{Cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/profile/soulpancake?cid=full500016-list-114|title=SoulPancake: Number 114 on the 2015 Inc. 5000|website=Inc.com|access-date=October 18, 2016}} In 2016 the channel was purchased by Participant Media.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/soulpancake-participant-media-rainn-wilson-1201887151/|title=Participant Media Acquires Rainn Wilson's SoulPancake|last=Rainey|first=James|date=October 13, 2016|newspaper=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=October 19, 2016}}
Wilson co-wrote the New York Times bestseller SoulPancake: Chew on Life's Big Questions (2010). In 2015, he published The Bassoon King, a humorous memoir of his personal life, career and faith.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/books/features/la-ca-jc-rainn-wilson-20151115-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=Rainn Wilson gets spiritual in his memoir 'The Bassoon King,' and Dwight Schrute has something to say about it|first=Yvonne|last=Villarreal|access-date=March 17, 2016|date=November 12, 2015}}
Wilson is a climate-change activist. He visited Greenland in 2019 with Arctic Basecamp, whose Advisory Board he also serves on. During the trip he shot the web docuseries The Idiot’s Guide to Climate Change for SoulPancake's YouTube channel.{{Cite web |last=Gallucci |first=Nicole |date=2020-11-22 |title=Rainn Wilson wants you to get serious about the fight against climate change |url=https://mashable.com/article/rainn-wilson-idiots-guide-climate-change |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Mashable |language=en}}
In 2021, Wilson voiced the title character in the comedy audio series Dark Air with Terry Carnation. The podcast series is based on his character Terry Carnation from the Radio Rental podcast, created by Payne Lindsey.
Wilson also competed in Chess.com's PogChamps 3 chess competition, finishing in second place after a tiebreaker game with French streamer {{Interlanguage link|Sardoche|lt=Sardoche|fr|Sardoche}}.{{Cite web|author=Dave|title=Over $150,000 Raised For Charity As Sardoche Wins PogChamps 3|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/chess-pogchamps-3-sardoche-neeko-win|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Chess.com|date=February 28, 2021 |language=en-US}}
In 2024, Wilson launched a long-form interview podcast on YouTube titled Soul Boom w/ Rainn Wilson.
Personal life
Wilson is married to writer Holiday Reinhorn, whom he met in an acting class at the University of Washington. They married on the Kalama River in Washington in 1995, and have a son, Walter, born in 2004. They have a home outside of Sisters, Oregon, and a house in Los Angeles. They have two pit bulls, Pilot and Diamond;{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl_CWOGHNSK/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/rainnwilson/1837197496046900362 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription |title=Rainn Wilson on Instagram: "Meet Diamond. She's what we call a "foster fail". Me & @HolidayReinhorn were going to temporarily host her until we found a home for her…" |website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} two Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, Snortington and Amy; a donkey named Chili Beans; and a zonkey named Derek.{{cite web |title=Rainn Wilson Imagines Dwight in a Pandemic |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zapNespnvqo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/zapNespnvqo |archive-date=2021-10-30|website=YouTube |date=September 16, 2020 |publisher=The Late Late Show with James Corden |access-date=18 September 2020}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/11/27/457617360/from-a-weirdo-nerd-to-a-guy-who-plays-one-on-tv |title=From A Weirdo Nerd To A Guy Who Plays One On TV |website=NPR.org |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=November 30, 2015}}
Wilson and his family are members of the Baháʼí Faith.{{cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Winters Keegan |title=Rainn Wilson |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1597537,00.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070316082531/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1597537,00.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= March 16, 2007|quote=Did being of the Baháʼí faith help you understand the spirituality? As a Baháʼí, I believe in all the spiritual beliefs: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity. |work=Time Magazine |date=March 8, 2007 |access-date=August 24, 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://newteevee.com/2009/03/11/rainn-wilson-feeds-the-internet-soul-pancakes |title=Rainn Wilson Feeds The Internet Soul Pancakes |publisher=Newteevee.com |date=March 11, 2009 |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-date=August 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829201555/http://gigaom.com/video/rainn-wilson-feeds-the-internet-soul-pancakes/ |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bahai.org/story/548|title=Rainn Wilson talks about Hollywood, his family and the Bahaʼi Faith |work=Bahá’í World News Service |date=May 24, 2007}} The website Baháʼí Blog, which is popular in the Bahá’í community, hosts Wilson's podcast, the Baháʼí Blogcast, for which he interviews notable people{{such as|date=September 2024}} about the intersection of their faith and work.{{Cite news |url=http://bahaiblog.net/site/2016/06/introducing-bahai-blogcast-rainn-wilson/ |title=Introducing Baha'i Blog's New Podcast: The Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson |date=June 26, 2016 |work=Baha'i Blog |publisher=Half Light Media |language=en-US |access-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019155733/http://bahaiblog.net/site/2016/06/introducing-bahai-blogcast-rainn-wilson/ |url-status=dead}}
On Bill Maher's Real Time, Wilson described himself as a diverse independent, having voted for Republican, Green and Democratic candidates.{{Cite web |last=Rothstein |first=Betsy |date=2008-09-24 |title=Don't Rainn on his anti-political parade |url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/24101-dont-rainn-on-his-anti-political-parade/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}} In 2008, he said he regretted the statement: "It was kind of a mistake, I don’t want to talk politics. […] The process of politics is so deeply corrupt on so many levels. Even the greatest candidate in the world couldn’t really make that much of a difference. But people with compassionate hearts can make the world a better place." Wilson does, however, vote.
Wilson's charitable works include fundraising for the Mona Foundation, a Bahá’í-inspired charity operating in developing countries.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22477461|title=Charity's work aligns with Rainn Wilson's faith|work=NBC News|date=January 3, 2008 |access-date=January 31, 2022}} In 2013, he co-founded Lidè Haiti, an educational initiative that uses the arts and literacy to empower adolescent girls in rural Haiti.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/scene/lifestyle/rainn-wilson-pays-it-forward-with-haitian-arts-program-1201372225/|title=Rainn Wilson Pays It Forward With Haitian Arts Program|last=Zumberge|first=Marianne|date=December 10, 2014|newspaper=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=October 19, 2016}} As of 2024, the group works in 13 locations with over 500 girls, providing scholarships to many of them.{{Cite web |title=Lide Haiti |url=https://www.lidehaiti.org/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Lide Haiti |language=en-US}}
{{anchor|Rainnfall Heat Wave Rising Sea Levels Wilson}}On November 10, 2022, Wilson changed his name on social media to Rainnfall Heat Wave Rising Sea Levels Wilson in an effort to raise awareness about climate change (though he did not change his legal name).{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Simrin |title=Rainn Wilson "changes" his name to raise awareness for climate change |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rainn-wilson-changes-name-raise-awareness-climate-change/ |publisher=CBS News |access-date=11 November 2022 |date=10 November 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/11/entertainment/rainn-wilson-name-change/index.html |title=Rainn Wilson announces name change to raise climate change awareness |website=CNN.com |date=November 11, 2022}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} |Denotes works that have not yet been released |
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1999
| Lahnk | |
| 2000
| David Felton | |
| 2001
| Dave O'Hanlon | |
| 2002
| Brian | |
| rowspan="2" | 2003
| Bill Hudley | |
| Baadasssss!
| Bill Harris | |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| The Life Coach | Dr. Watson Newmark | |
| Sahara
| Rudi Gunn | |
| 2006
| Vaughn Haige | |
| rowspan="2" |2007
| Larry White | |
| Juno
| Rollo | |
| 2008
| Robert 'Fish' Fishman | |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| Gallaxhar | Voice |
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
| Professor Colan | Cameo |
| rowspan="4" | 2010
| The New Recruits | Narrator | |
| Super
| Frank Darbo / The Crimson Bolt | Also executive producer |
| Hesher
| Paul Forney | |
| Peep World
| Joel Meyerwitz | |
| 2013
| The Stream | Adult Ernest | |
| 2014
| Cooties | Wade Johnson | |
| rowspan="2" | 2015
| Uncanny | Castle | |
| The Boy
| William Colby | Also executive producer |
| 2016
| Agent Simons | |
| rowspan="3" |2017
|Jim Dixon | |
| Smurfs: The Lost Village
| Gargamel | Voice |
| Shimmer Lake
| Andy Sikes | |
| rowspan="3" | 2018
| Voice |
| The Meg
| Jack Morris | |
| Where in the Hell is the Lavender House?
| | Executive producer |
| rowspan="4" | 2019
| Lex Luthor | Voice |
| Brightburn
| Frank Darbo / The Crimson Bolt | Cameo (photograph only) |
| Batman: Hush
| Voice |
| Blackbird
| Michael | |
| rowspan="3" | 2020
| Justice League Dark: Apokolips War | Lex Luthor | Voice |
| Don't Tell a Soul
| Hamby | |
| Don't Look Back
| George Reed | Cameo |
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| Bill | |
| Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
| |
| 2023
| Ezra | Nick | |
| rowspan="2" | 2024
| Empire Waist |Mark | |
| Hitpig!
| Leapin' Lord of the Leotard |
| {{TableTBA}}
|style="background:#FFFFCC;"| At the Sea {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} | {{TableTBA}} | Filming |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1997
| Casey Keegan |
| 1999
| The Expendables | Newman | Television film |
| 2000
| Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour | Roadmaster | Uncredited |
| rowspan="4"|2001
| Charmed | Kierkan | Episode: "Coyote Piper" |
| When Billie Beat Bobby
| Dennis Van De Meer | Television film |
| Dark Angel
| Phil | Episode: "I and I Am a Camera" |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
| Guy in Supermarket | Episode: "The Strip Strangler" |
| 2002
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Janitor | Episode: "Waste" |
| 2003
| Monk | Walker Browning | Episode: "Mr. Monk Goes to the Ballgame" |
| 2003–2005
| 13 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| Numb3rs | Martin Grolsch | Episode: "Vector" |
| Entourage
| R. J. Spencer | Episode: "I Love You Too" |
| 2005–2013
| 201 episodes |
| 2007
| Host | Episode: "Rainn Wilson/Arcade Fire" |
| 2008
| The Psychic | Episode: "1.8" |
| 2008; 2010
| Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Various | 5 episodes |
| 2009
| Calvin Robin Tomlinson | Episode: "Digging with the Murderer" |
| 2010
| Dwight Schrute | Voice, episode: "Excellence in Broadcasting" |
| 2012
| Rove LA | Himself | Episode: "Rainn Wilson/Sarah Wayne/The Miz" |
| rowspan="3" | 2013
| The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange | Dr. Po | Voice, episode: "Orange James Orange" |
| Comedy Bang! Bang!
| Himself | Episode: "Rainn Wilson Wears a Short Sleeved Plaid Shirt & Colorful Sneakers" |
| Arcade Fire in Here Comes The Night Time
| Greeter; stage crew member |
| 2014–2018
| Rattleballs / Peacemaster | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2015
| Detective Everett Backstrom | 13 episodes |
| 2016
| Roadies | Bryce Newman | Episode: "The Bryce Newman Letter" |
| 2017
| Guest role (2 episodes) |
| 2018
| Room 104 | Jim Herbers | Episode: "Mr. Mulvahill" |
| rowspan="2"|2019
| Harry Mudd / Harry Mudd (androids) | Also director; Episode: "The Escape Artist" |
| Transparent
|Arthur |Episode: "Transparent Musicale Finale" |
| 2019–21
| Mom | Dr. Trevor Wells | 9 episodes |
| rowspan="4"|2020
| Mouse Milk Farmer | Voice, episode: "Terry and Korvo Steal a Bear" |
| Home Movie: The Princess Bride{{cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/221665/quibi-just-announced-a-princess-bride-remake-you-never-expected-to-see/|title=Quibi just announced a Princess Bride remake you never expected to see|website=Looper.com|first=Nina|last=Starner|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=June 26, 2020}}
| Vizzini | Episode: "Chapter Two: The Shrieking Eels" |
| Utopia
| Michael Stearns | 8 episodes |
| We Are the Champions
| Narrator | Also executive producer |
| rowspan="2"|2021
| The Rookie{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-rookie-s03-goes-true-crime-rainn-wilson-celebrity-cults-more/|title=The Rookie S03 Goes 'True Crime': Rainn Wilson, Celebrity Cults & More|website=Bleeding Cool|first=Ray|last=Flook|date=February 28, 2021|access-date=March 2, 2021}} | Himself | Episode: "True Crime" |
| Explained
| Narrator | Episode: "Chess" |
| 2022
| Devoted Dan | 3 episodes |
| rowspan="3"|2023
| Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss | Himself | Main role |
| StoryBots: Answer Time
| Cosmic Caller | Episode: "Fractions" |
| Lessons in Chemistry
| Phil Lebensmal | Recurring role (4 episodes) |
=Theatre=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|1989
|Martius |rowspan="2"|Shakespeare in the Park |
| Twelfth Night or What You Will
|Ensemble |
| 1995
|Kuroko |
| 1996
|Father |
| 1997
|Charles Courtly |
| 2016
|Thom Pain |
| 2018
|The Doppelgänger (an international farce) |Thomas Irdley / Jimmy Peterson |
| 2024
|Vladimir |
| 2025
|Caldwell B. Cladwell |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" |Notes |
|---|
| 2009
| Gallaxhar | |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Category !Nominated work !Result |
| 2004
| rowspan="2" |Screen Actors Guild Awards |Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series |{{Won}} |
| rowspan="6" |2007
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | rowspan="8" |The Office |{{Won}} |
| Teen Choice Awards
|Choice TV Sidekick |{{Nominated}} |
| Primetime Emmy Awards
|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |{{Nominated}} |
| rowspan="3" |TV Guide Awards
|Favorite TV Sidekick |{{Won}} |
| Favorite Frenemies
|{{Won}} |
| Favorite Ensemble
|{{Won}} |
| rowspan="2" |2008
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |{{Won}} |
| Primetime Emmy Awards
|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |{{Nominated}} |
| rowspan="3" |2009
|Writers Guild of America Awards |Best Comedy/Variety – Specials |23rd Independent Spirit Awards |{{Won}} |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | rowspan="7" |The Office |{{Nominated}} |
| Primetime Emmy Awards
|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |{{Nominated}} |
| rowspan="2" |2010
|Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film |{{Nominated}} |
| rowspan="4" |Screen Actors Guild Awards
| rowspan="4" |Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |{{Nominated}} |
| 2011
|{{Nominated}} |
| 2012
|{{Nominated}} |
| 2013
|{{Nominated}} |
| 2016
|Best Supporting Actor |{{Nominated}} |
| 2019
|Outstanding Special Class – Short Format Daytime Program |Food Interrupted |{{Nominated}} |
| 2024
|Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or Movie |{{Nominated}} |
Written publications
- Rainn Wilson. Soul Pancake. 2010. Hachette Books, {{ISBN|978-1401310332}}
- Rainn Wilson. The Bassoon King. 2016. Dutton, {{ISBN|978-0-525-95453-8}}
- Rainn Wilson. Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution. 2023. Hachette Books, {{ISBN|978-0-306-82827-0}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{sisterlinks|d=Q349548|b=no|wikt=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|n=no|q=yes}}
- [http://www.soulpancake.com/ SoulPancake.com] - currently redirects to [https://participant.com/ Participant.com] (Snapshot of SoulPancake.com before the redirect can be found on the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210727001707/https://soulpancake.com/ WaybackMachine])
- {{Twitter}}
- {{IMDb name|0933988}}
- [http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/SearchResult.aspx?s=&retailCheck=&Type=PN&CatID=DATABIN_CAST&ID=170204&AN_ID=&searchedFor=Rainn_Wilson_ Rainn Wilson] at the American Film Institute catalog
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{iobdb name|4771}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Rainn}}
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American male bloggers
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American people of Norwegian descent
Category:Comedians from Seattle
Category:Male actors from Seattle
Category:People from Shoreline, Washington
Category:People from Sisters, Oregon
Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni
Category:University of Washington alumni
Category:Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences alumni
Category:Writers Guild of America Award winners
Category:American male comedians