Wayne Knight

Wayne Elliot Knight (born August 7, 1955) is an American actor, comedian and former private investigator. In television, he is known for playing Newman in Seinfeld (1992–1998) and Officer Don Orville in 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001).

Wayne Knight
Knight in August 2013
Born
Wayne Elliot Knight

(1955-08-07) August 7, 1955
Alma materUniversity of Georgia
OccupationActor, comedian, private investigator
Years active1979–present
Spouse(s)
Paula Sutor
(m. 1996; div. 2003)

Clare de Chenu
(m. 2006)
Children1

His other television roles include Mr. Blik in Catscratch (2005–2007) and Haskell Lutz in The Exes (2011–2015). He voiced the Jack O'Lantern in The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2000–2008), Evil Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000–2001) and Dojo in Xiaolin Showdown (2003–2006).

In film, he played Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park (1993), which earned him a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination. Knight also portrayed Stan Podolak in Space Jam (1996), Zack Mallozzi in Rat Race (2001) and Microchip in Punisher: War Zone (2008) and provided voiceover work for Al McWhiggin in Toy Story 2 and Tantor in Tarzan (both 1999).

Early life

Wayne Elliot Knight was born in New York City to a Catholic family.[1] His parents are textile factory supervisor William Edward Knight and Grace (Monti) Knight.[2][3] His father moved the family to Cartersville, Georgia, where he worked in the textile industry. Knight went to local schools and was a lineman on his high school's football team.[4] He attended the University of Georgia, but did not complete his degree until 2008.[5]

Although an honors student, Knight left college just one credit shy of completing his degree to pursue his acting career. He received an internship at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, which produced repertory works. After completing his internship, he joined the company and gained standing as an Equity actor. He subsequently moved to New York City and after two years landed his first role on Broadway.

After his time on Broadway, Knight also worked as a private investigator, for a period of five years.[6]

Career

Knight appeared in various films produced in the end of the 1980s, and beginning of the 1990s, including Dirty Dancing (1987), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), JFK (1991) and Basic Instinct (1992). He was the first actor cast in Jurassic Park after director Steven Spielberg saw his performance in Basic Instinct. Knight was cast as InGen Corporation's chief programmer for the park and secret spy for Biosyn, Dennis Nedry.

He also appeared in Dead Again, To Die For, and Space Jam. In the 1990s, Knight played supporting roles on two television series on NBC. He played the mailman Newman, Jerry's neighbour and nemesis in Seinfeld, and Officer Don Orville, Sally's love interest, in 3rd Rock from the Sun. He had earlier appeared in Against the Grain. He also appeared as a regular on two sketch comedy series, The Edge for Fox and Assaulted Nuts for Cinemax and Channel 4 in the United Kingdom.

Knight also appeared on Broadway in the plays Gemini, Mastergate, 'Art' and Sweet Charity with Christina Applegate.

Knight has done voice work for numerous animations, including the black cat Mr. Blik on the Nickelodeon cartoon Catscratch, Igor on the Fox Kids cartoon Toonsylvania, the dragon Dojo Kanojo Cho in the Kids' WB! animated series Xiaolin Showdown, Evil Emperor Zurg on Buzz Lightyear of Star Command on Toon Disney and Disney Channel; Al McWhiggin, the toy store manager of Al's Toy Barn, in Toy Story 2; Tantor the elephant in Tarzan, Demetrius the shopkeeper in Hercules, and the bug Juju on Tak and the Power of Juju. He made guest appearances on Billy & Mandy's Jacked-Up Halloween as Jack O'Lantern, Dilbert as the Security Guard, and Brandy and Mr. Whiskers as Mr. Cantarious the snail.

Knight appeared on the pilot episode of the American version of Thank God You're Here. He made a second appearance, on the last episode of the first season of the television series. He won the Thank God You're Here blue door award. He played the Punisher's techno sidekick Microchip in Punisher: War Zone. Knight guest starred in The Penguins of Madagascar as Max the Cat, in the episodes "Launchtime" and "Cat's Cradle".

In November 2009, Knight reprised his role as the Seinfeld character Newman, for the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also guest starred on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Season 10, Episode "Working Stiffs".

Knight guest starred on an episode of 2010, of Fox's drama series Bones, in the first season of the TV Land comedy series Hot in Cleveland (2010), where he became a recurring character for season two, and on an episode of The Whole Truth in the fall of 2010.[7] He played an Internet fixated couch potato in the TV Land sitcom, The Exes. In the summer of 2011, he appeared in the BBC/Starz series Torchwood: Miracle Day as Brian Friedkin.[8]

Knight appeared as Santa in Elf: The Musical in November 2012. He previously appeared on Broadway in Art in 1999. In April 2012, Knight was featured in the romantic comedy, She Wants Me. In February 2014, Knight reprised the character Newman, during one commercial during the Super Bowl, alongside Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander. In December 2017, Knight was featured in an advertisement for KFC depicting Colonel Sanders.

Personal life

Knight married makeup artist Paula Sutor on May 26, 1996, in a ceremony held in fellow Seinfeld cast member Michael Richards' home.[9] The couple had divorced by December 2003.[10] He married his second wife Clare de Chenu on October 15, 2006; together they have a son named Liam.[11]

Knight is a Democrat; he attended the September 2012 Democratic National Convention in support of President Barack Obama's reelection.[12]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1979 The Wanderers Waiter Uncredited
1987 Dirty Dancing Stan
1988 Everybody's All-American Fraternity Pisser
1989 Born on the Fourth of July Official #2 – Democratic Convention
1991 V.I. Warshawski Earl 'Bonehead' Smeissen
1991 Dead Again 'Piccolo' Pete Dugan
1991 JFK Numa Bertel
1992 Basic Instinct John Correli
1993 Jurassic Park Dennis Nedry Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor
1995 To Die For Ed Grant
1995 Chameleon Stuart Langston
1996 Space Jam Stan Podolak
1997 Hercules Demetrius the Potmaker (voice)
1997 For Richer or Poorer Bob Lachmen
1998 The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars Microwave (voice) Direct to video
1998 Soundman Tim (voice)
1999 My Favorite Martian Zoot the Suit (voice) Uncredited
1999 Pros & Cons Wayne
1999 Tarzan Tantor (voice)
1999 Toy Story 2 Al McWhiggin (voice)
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins Emperor Zurg (voice) Direct to video
2001 Rat Race Zach Mallozzi
2003 Cheaper by the Dozen Electrician Uncredited cameo
2004 Black Cloud Mr. Tipping
2005 Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone Thudd (voice)
2007 Forfeit Bob
2008 Kung Fu Panda Gang Boss (voice) Cameo
2008 Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King The Amazing Krudsky (voice) Direct to video
2008 Punisher: War Zone Linus Lieberman / Microchip
2012 She Wants Me Walter Baum
2012 Excuse Me for Living Albert
2014 Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon The Elf Elder (voice) Direct to video
2016 Kung Fu Panda 3 Big Fun / Hom-Lee (voices)
2016 Hail, Caesar! Lurking Extra #1
2018 Blindspotting Patrick
2020 The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee Wayne
TBA 12 Mighty Orphans Frank Wynn

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1982 For Lovers Only Video Game Fanatic TV film
Uncredited
1983 The Day After Man in hospital TV film
1984 The Burning Bed Juror TV film
Uncredited
1985 Assaulted Nuts Various Main role (seven episodes)
1988 Tattingers Kenny Axelrod 2 episodes
1990 Mathnet Peter Pickwick Episode: "The Case of the Parking Meter Massacre"
1990 Square One TV Peter Pickwick 3 episodes
1992–1998 Seinfeld Newman Recurring role
Nominated—Q Award for Best Recurring Player (1998)
1992 Double Edge Tommy White TV film
1992–1993 The Edge Various Characters Main role
1992 T Bone N Weasel Roy Kramp TV film
1993 Fallen Angels Leo Cunningham Episode: "Dead End Delia"
1993 Against the Grain Froggy Wilson Episode: "Pilot"
1993–1994 The Second Half Robert Piccolo Main role
1994 Golden Gate Arthur Genopopoulos TV film
1996–2001 3rd Rock from the Sun Don Orville Main role
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1998–1999)
1997 Contempt of Court Merill Bushman TV film
1998 Hercules Cyclops Head #2 (voice) 2 episodes
1998 Toonsylvania Igor (voice) Main role
2000 Dilbert The Security Guard (voice) Episode: "The Security Guard"
2000–2001 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Emperor Zurg (voice) Main role
2001 That '70s Show The Angel Episode: "It's a Wonderful Life"
2001 Bleacher Bums Zig TV film
2002 Becker Wally Episode: "Picture Imperfect"
2002 Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story Walter Ballou TV film
2003 The Twilight Zone Nick Dark Episode: "How Much Do You Love Your Kid?"
2003–2006 Xiaolin Showdown Dojo (voice) Main cast
2003 Gary the Rat Gary's Rival (voice) Episode: "The Reunion"
2003 The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Jack O'Lantern (voice) Episode: "Billy & Mandy's Jacked-Up Halloween"
2004 I'm with Her Kevin Episode: "Friends in Low Places"
2004 The Drew Carey Show Owen Episode: "Liar Liar House on Fire"
2004 Listen Up! Buddy Episode: "Sweet Charity"
2005–2007 Catscratch Mr. Blik (voice) Main role
2005 Justice League Unlimited Abnegazar (voice) Episode: "The Balance"
2006 CSI: NY Truman Bosch Episode: "Fare Game"
2006 Brandy & Mr. Whiskers Mr. Cantarius (voice) Episode: "You've Got Snail"
2006 How I Met Your Mother Lily's Landlord (voice, uncredited) Episode: "How Lily Stole Christmas"
2007 Tak and the Power of Juju Bug Juju (voice) Episode: "Our Favorite Juju"
2009–2012 The Penguins of Madagascar Max (voice) 3 episodes
2009 Woke Up Dead Andrew Batten Main role
2009 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Mr. Terrence Lombard Episode: "Working Stiffs"
2009 Nip/Tuck Don Hoberman Episode: "Don Hoberman"
2009–2011 The Super Hero Squad Show Elihas Starr / Egghead (voice) 3 episodes
2009 Curb Your Enthusiasm Himself Uncredited
Episode: "The Table Read"
2010–2011 Hot in Cleveland Rick Recurring role
2010 The Good Guys Perry Black Episode: "Little Things"
2010 The Whole Truth Judge Mark Hulverson Episode: "Uncanny"
2010 Bones Jimmy Walpert III Episode: "The Babe in the Bar"
2011 Torchwood Brian Friedkin 3 episodes
2011–2012 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Jong / Jong's Son (voice) 2 episodes
2011–2015 The Exes Haskell Lutz Main role
2012 Green Lantern: The Animated Series Captain Goray (voice) Episode: "Into the Abyss"
2012 Pound Puppies Ralphie / Construction Worker #1 (voice) Episode: "Good Dog, McLeish!"
2013 Regular Show Guardian of the Friend Zone / God of Street Performing (voice) 2 episodes
2013 American Dad! Overweight Customer Whose Pants Are Caught on Fire (voice, uncredited) Episode: "Naked to the Limit, One More Time"
2014 Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Newman Episode: "The Over-Cheer"
2014 Unforgettable Dr. Theodore Blumer Episode: "East of Islip"
2015 Sirens Richard Episode: "Sub-Primal Fears"
2015 TripTank Greg / Customer (voice) 2 episodes
2015 Doc McStuffins Viewy Stewie (voice) Episode: "Fully Focused"
2016 Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh Boovius (voice) Episode: "The Gray Matter"
2016 StartUp Benny Blush 3 episodes
2017 Still the King Dan Episode: "Still Still the King"
2017 Narcos Alan Starkman 2 episodes
2017 The Young and the Restless Irv 2 episodes
2017 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Brick (voice) 2 episodes
2018 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Grigor Episode: "Service"
2018 Legend of the Three Caballeros Baron Von Sheldgoose (voice) Main role
2018 The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair Benjamin Roth Main role
2019–20 Harley Quinn Penguin (voice) 2 episodes
2019 Robot Chicken Nutsy Goldberg (voice) Episode: "Robot Chicken's Santa's Dead (Spoiler Alert) Holiday Murder Thing Special"
2020 Infinity Train Marcel (voice) Episode: "The Map Car"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Toy Story 2 Al McWhiggin
2007 Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots Mr. Blik (voice) (Nintendo DS version only)
2011 Jurassic Park: The Game Dennis Nedry Uncredited
2011 The Penguins of Madagascar: Dr. Blowhole Returns – Again! Max

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result
1994 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actor Jurassic Park Nominated
1998 OFTA Television Award Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Seinfeld Nominated
Q Awards Best Recurring Player Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series 3rd Rock from the Sun Nominated
1999 Chainsaw Award Nominated
Stinker Awards Most Botched Comic Relief My Favorite Martian Nominated

References

  1. "NEWMAN!: The @Seinfeld2000 Wayne Knight Interview". Aug 6, 2015. Retrieved Oct 3, 2019.
  2. "Wayne Knight Biography (1955–)". Filmreference.com.
  3. "Grace Knight Obituary: View Obituary for Grace Knight by Owen Funeral Home, Cartersville, GA". Obits.dignitymemorial.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  4. Fretts, Bruce (October 8, 1993). "Wayne Knight: Gaining Roles, Losing Weight", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  5. "Is this it?". The Guardian. March 6, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  6. @Seinfeld2000 (August 6, 2015). "NEWMAN!: The @Seinfeld2000 Wayne Knight Interview". Vice. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  7. Abrams, Natalie. "Exclusive: The Whole Truth Swears In Wayne Knight". TVGuide.com. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  8. Brew, Simon. "Wayne Knight joins Torchwood: Miracle Day". Den of Geek. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  9. "Weddings of the Year". People. February 10, 1997. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  10. Adato, Allison. "Hello, New Man!". people.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  11. Heller, Corinne. "OTRC: WAYNE KNIGHT, 'SEINFELD'S NEWMAN, 'FAMILY TIES' BRIAN BONSALL not DEAD". KABC-TV Los Angeles. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  12. Tran, Vivyan (September 7, 2012). "Celebrities spotted at the Democratic National Convention". Politico.
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