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Richard Dreyfuss
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In the late 1970s Richard Dreyfuss was a top box office star, thanks to starring roles in the Steven Spielberg blockbusters Jaws (1975) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Dreyfuss grew up in New York and California and was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. He began his acting career in repertory theater and improvisational comedy, followed by Broadway and off-Broadway plays and guest appearances on television. In 1973 he was the center of the George Lucas coming-of-age hit American Graffiti, and he earned critical praise the next year for The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. By the end of the '70s he was a box office draw, known more for his onscreen energy than for his good looks. He won a best actor Oscar for his performance in the romantic comedy The Goodbye Girl (1977), but then his career took a downturn.
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From All Movie Guide: Stocky, frequently bespectacled, eventually balding, and prematurely gray, Richard Dreyfuss is an unlikely candidate for a movie star. Even so, he has been one of Hollywood's most versatile, charismatic, and energetic leading men since the mid-'70s. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on October 29, 1947, Dreyfuss moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was nine. There he became friends with Rob Reiner and began acting in school productions and at the Beverly Hills Jewish Community Center. He attended San Fernando Valley State College, but was expelled after getting into a heated argument with a professor over Marlon Brando's performance in Julius Caesar (1953). Not wanting to be drafted for Vietnam, he registered as a conscientious objector and spent two years as a clerk at a Los Angeles hospital instead of enlisting.
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Richard Dreyfuss has always included political and social activism as a normal part of his life. After high school, at the height of the Vietnam War, he spent two years as a conscientious objector, doing alternative service as a clerk at Los Angeles County General Hospital. He has campaigned for candidates and causes, given testimony before United States Congressional and other governmental committees, and created projects that address critical needs. Mr Dreyfuss is an avid reader of history and a champion of educational programming. He has long been a presence on the global stage working to promote solutions to the Arab/Israeli conflict. In 2003 he was the host of the live Geneva Accords.
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Richard Dreyfuss has had a successful career as a leading man without being an untouchable glamourpuss moviestar. In fact one of his greatest strengths is his ability to play the average man next door who just happens to be dealing with aliens, sharks and Barbra Streisand. He has a kind of "everyman" quality similar to one of his heroes, Spencer Tracey. He ... possesses a sharp wit, intelligence, warmth and intensity.
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Richard Dreyfuss has appeared in more than 40 films, receiving the Academy Award(TM) for Best Actor for 1977ís The Goodbye Girl and another Best Actor Academy Award(TM) nomination for 1995ís Mr. Hollandís Opus. His other films include American Graffiti, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Tin Men, Silent Fall, What About Bob?, Moon Over Parador and Whose Life Is It Anyway? Dreyfuss has ... worked behind the scenes, serving as executive producer of the film Quiz Show. His TV credits include Oliver Twist and HBO Picturesí Prisoner of Honor. Dreyfuss has also appeared in U.S. and British stage productions and co-authored a novel, The Two Georges. He will soon be seen in the movie A Fine and Private Place.
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Richard Dreyfuss, a legend of stage and screen, has relied on intelligence, energy, and incredible talent to gain and keep his place among the leading actors of the American cinema. Three of his films were recently included in the American Film Institute's list of the greatest 100 films of all time. He received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor for his portrayal as the teacher in Mr. Holland's Opus. At age 29, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Goodbye Girl. His best-known appearances in genre film include Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (in which he starred as UFO witness Roy Neary).
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Richard Dreyfuss