Alec Baldwin, easily the most recognizable of the Baldwin brothers, grew up in Massapequa, New York, with roots stretching from Ireland to Germany. His dad taught high school and coached football, which probably explains a bit of Alec’s presence—he’s always had that mix of brain and brawn. Baldwin’s early TV gigs in the ‘80s, like The Doctors and Knots Landing, launched him before he jumped into film, landing roles in cult hits like Beetlejuice and Married to the Mob. Then came The Hunt for Red October, where he basically nailed Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, only to lose the role to Harrison Ford after some studio drama. Whatever, his Broadway turn in A Streetcar Named Desire got him a Tony nod, so it’s not like he was hurting. The ‘90s kept him busy: Miami Blues, Glengarry Glen Ross (that ten-minute power cameo—classic), and the steamy on-set romance with Kim Basinger during The Marrying Man. The guy even voiced Thomas the Tank Engine for US audiences—parents everywhere know that voice. Baldwin’s filmography just keeps rolling, from Ghosts of Mississippi to The Getaway, with even more scene-stealing supporting roles in State and Main, The Departed, and The Cooler (which snagged him an Oscar nod). But honestly, TV gave him his biggest win—Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock, stacking up Emmys, Golden Globes, and SAG awards like they were going out of style. Off-screen, his private life’s been a tabloid staple, but Baldwin just keeps turning up in new gigs, never really slowing down.
Acting on stage? That’s pure adrenaline, a total rush—like you’re flying without a net. You feel the crowd’s energy in real time, and every show is different. Now, acting for film? Whole different beast. It’s stop-and-go, lots of waiting around, and you do the same scene a dozen times from every angle. People always think movie acting is glamorous, but honestly, it’s a grind. There’s a ton of repetition, and you gotta hit your marks precisely or the whole take’s shot. The camera picks up everything, so you can’t fake it. With theatre, you get that instant feedback, but with film, you might not even see the finished thing until months later. Some actors love the control and precision of film, but plenty miss that raw connection you only get on stage. Both are acting, sure, but the vibe and the work? Worlds apart.
April 3, 1958
5′ 11½″ (1.82 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Massapequa, Long Island, New York, USA
Yes, Rafael Thomas Baldwin
Carol M. Baldwin and Surekha
67 years old