Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum, born October 22, 1952, in Pittsburgh, came from a wild mix of radio, business, and medicine—a mom juggling both DJ gigs and appliances, and a dad doing the doctor thing. Russian Jewish roots on dad’s side, Austrian Jewish on mom’s. So, you get this creative, brainy blend right off the bat. Goldblum bailed on Pittsburgh for New York at seventeen, hitting the stage with this offbeat, almost jazz-like delivery nobody else could quite pull off. His first real taste of movie fame was barely even a line in Annie Hall—something about forgetting his mantra—yet it stuck with people. After that, he popped up in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, then showed up on TV alongside Ben Vereen in Tenspeed and Brown Shoe. The Big Chill comes along, and suddenly Goldblum’s everywhere. He’s in Buckaroo Banzai, which, let’s be honest, is weird in the best way and a cult classic for a reason. Then there’s Into the Night, a little noir gem, before he really blows up with The Fly. That’s also when he and Geena Davis were married and making movies together—Transylvania 6-5000, Earth Girls Are Easy—total ’80s madness. Then the ’90s hit, and this guy’s suddenly the go-to for sci-fi blockbusters: Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Independence Day. Always playing the clever, slightly neurotic genius, which he just nails. Fast-forward, he’s popping up in art-house stuff like Igby Goes Down and Wes Anderson’s Life Aquatic. Even swung back to TV with Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Goldblum just keeps showing up in all the right (and weird) places.
movies triviannSo, here’s the scoop: he’s actually a seriously talented piano player, not just some actor faking it. Every Wednesday, you can catch him jamming with The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at the Rockwell Club right in Los Angeles. Yeah, that’s his real band—not just a movie thing, it’s his passion. They mix up jazz with a bit of funk, and honestly, the vibe’s just electric. Locals love it, and it’s one of those hidden gems you hear about but never believe is real until you see it for yourself. It’s not some glitzy Hollywood show, either. It’s more like—just raw, genuine musicians having a blast, no frills. He’s there, up close, fingers flying over the keys, and you can tell he’s in his element. The crowd? Totally into it. Sometimes celebs drop by, but it’s really about the music. Feels kinda legendary, honestly.
Look, I never really saw it that way, you know? I mean, sure, people make a big deal about playing the “smart guy,” but for me, it’s just a blast getting to be the one who pieces things together before everyone else. There’s something ridiculously satisfying about being the person in the room who’s a couple steps ahead, even if it’s all pretend. It’s like getting the answers to the test and watching everyone else try to catch up. And honestly, it’s fun as hell. I don’t do it for the glory or anything, I just genuinely enjoy the chase, the little victories, the “a-ha” moments. It’s almost like solving a puzzle, except you’re also the guy who knows where all the pieces go. People might think it’s about ego, but nah, it’s just about having a good time playing a role where you can be sharp and quick-witted and just a little bit smug. That’s the real kicker for me.
October 22, 1952
6′ 4½″ (1.94 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Yes, Charlie Ocean Goldblum
Shirley Jane Goldblum Tyson (Temeles) and Surekha
72 years old