(1979-)

Who Is John Krasinski?

John Krasinski is an American actor who shot to stardom in 2005 as Jim Halpert on The Office. Krasinski landed substantial roles on the big screen around this time as well, starring in License to Wed (2007) and Leatherheads (2008). Additionally, he has directed multiple films, including 2009's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, the 2015 dramatic comedy The Hollars and 2018's horror hit A Quiet Place. Also in 2018, Krasinski began starring in the Amazon series Jack Ryan.

Early Life and Education

Born on October 20, 1979, in Newton, Massachusetts, John Krasinski is best known for playing Jim Halpert on the hit sitcom The Office. He met B.J. Novak, a future Office castmate, when they were kids. They played little league baseball and attended school together, and Krasinski later appeared in one of Novak's plays. At Newton South High School, he also played basketball and ran cross-country. After high school, Krasinski attended Brown University, where he focused on playwriting. He also worked as an intern on Late Night with Conan O'Brien during this time and was part of a sketch comedy group called Out of Bounds.

In 2001, Krasinski graduated with honors from Brown and headed to New York City to pursue a career in acting. At first, the move was a struggle for him, and he worked as a waiter to make ends meet while also landing a few small roles on television shows such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent and CSI.

Movies and TV Shows

After making his big-screen debut in 2002, Krasinski landed one of his most notable film roles playing a sexually frustrated husband in Kinsey (2004), which starred Liam Neeson.

'The Office'

In 2005, Krasinski's career took off with the debut of the television series The Office. In the series, Krasinski played Jim Halpert, a paper salesman who has a crush on his company's receptionist, Pam (Jenna Fischer). His character also must cope with oddball fellow salesman Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and his daffy boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Based on the British series of the same name, this workplace comedy struck a chord with TV viewers and would go on to win several Emmy Awards.

Photo: Chris Haston/NBC

John Krasinski as Jim Halpert on ’The Office.’

As the funny and likable Jim Halpert, Krasinski quickly won the hearts of the show's fans. He was even named one of People magazine's Sexiest Men in 2006. Audiences also became incredibly invested in the Pam-Jim storyline as it evolved from friendship to relationship to marriage and parenthood over the course of the show's nine seasons. Krasinski and Fischer became one of the most popular couples in television history.

In 2013, Krasinski finally decided to say goodbye to The Office. He later reflected on his experience, telling People magazine, "I was a waiter when I got the show; I was 23 years old. A decade of my life! ... In a very big, existential way it's the most important thing in my life."

'License to Wed,' 'Leatherheads' and 'It's Complicated'

While on The Office, Krasinski explored other acting opportunities as well. He landed a starring role in the 2007 romantic comedy License to Wed with Robin Williams and Mandy Moore. The following year, he appeared with George Clooney in Leatherheads, a look at the early days of football. Krasinski also found time to create the 2009 film Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, which he adapted from a collection of short stories by David Foster Wallace. He directed and acted in the film as well. That same year, Krasinski appeared opposite Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin in It's Complicated. In 2012, he co-wrote and starred in the environmental film Promised Land with Matt Damon.

'The Hollars,' '13 Hours'

Krasinski went on to a supporting role in Cameron Crowe's Aloha (2015) and returned to the director's chair to helm the 2016 dramatic comedy The Hollars. He starred in the film alongside Anna Kendrick and Sharlto Copley. On the acting front, Krasinski starred in Michael Bay's political drama 13 Hours (2016) with fellow Office alum David Denman.

Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

John Krasinski

'A Quiet Place'

In 2018, Krasinski co-wrote, directed and starred in A Quiet Place, opposite his wife, Emily Blunt. The horror flick grossed a reported $340 million worldwide, leading to the release of a sequel, again directed by Krasinski, in 2020. Meanwhile, he voiced the main robot character in the 2018 Chinese-American animated flick Next Gen.

'Jack Ryan'

Also in 2018, Krasinski began starring in the Amazon thriller series Jack Ryan, as the titular CIA employee who moves from a desk job as an analyst into the line of fire. The success of Jack Ryan led to a renewal for season 2, which premiered in October 2019.

Wife and Kids

Krasinski married actress Emily Blunt in 2010. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Hazel, on February 16, 2014. Their second daughter, Violet, was born in June 2016.

QUICK FACTS

Birth Year: 1979
Birth date: October 20, 1979
Birth State: Massachusetts
Birth City: Newton
Birth Country: United States
Gender: Male
Best Known For: Actor John Krasinski rose to fame as Jim Halpert on the hit sitcom ‘The Office.’ He has also starred in such films as ‘Aloha,' '13 Hours,' and 'A Quiet Place.'
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