Dennis Quaid Biography

(American Actor Best Known for His Dramatic & Comedic Roles)

Birthday: April 9, 1954 (Aries)

Born In: Houston, Texas, United States

Advanced Search

Dennis Quaid is an American actor and musician famous for playing comedic and dramatic roles in movies and on television. The younger brother of popular actor Randy Quaid, he has worked in a number of films, including ‘Breaking Away’, ‘The Rookie’, ‘Vantage Point’, ‘The Parent Trap,’ and ‘Far from Heaven’. The actor has also made appearances in several TV programs, the most prominent one being the period drama series ‘Vegas’ in which he also served as the executive producer. As a musician, Quaid performs in the band ‘The Sharks’. He is known for writing and performing a song titled "Closer to You" in the 1987 flick ‘The Big Easy’. Born to William Rudy Quaid, an electrician, and Juanita B. "Nita" Quaid, a real estate agent, the actor grew up Houston, Texas alongside his brother Randy. He went on to attend Bellaire High School where he studied dance and Mandarin Chinese. Quaid later enrolled at the University of Houston but dropped out from there before graduating. Extremely benevolent, he has raised money for charity multiple times. He has worked with the New Orleans-based International Hospital for Children. In the 1990s, the actor had made numerous trips to Central America to help develop medical clinics and transport sick kids back to the USA for necessary treatment.

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Dennis William Quaid

Age: 69 Years

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Laura Savoie (m. 2020), Kimberly Quaid (m. 2004–2018), Meg Ryan (m. 1991–2001), P. J. Soles (m. 1978–1983)

father: Buddy Quaid

mother: Juanita Bonniedale Jordan

siblings: Randy Quaid

children: Jack Quaid, Thomas Boone Quaid, Zoe Grace Quaid

Born Country: United States

Quotes By Dennis Quaid Actors

Height: 1.83 m

Ancestry: French American, British American, Irish American

City: Houston, Texas

U.S. State: Texas

More Facts

education: University Of Houston

Recommended For You

Randy Quaid Jack Quaid Daniel Peter Ma... Bruce Willis

Recommended Lists:

American PeopleAmerican MenAmerican WomenAmerican Actors20th Century American Actors Childhood & Early LifeDennis Quaid was born on April 9, 1954, in Houston, Texas. His father William Rudy Quaid was an electrician while his mother Juanita B. "Nita" Quaid was a real estate agent. The popular actor Randy Quaid is his brother. He also has a half-sister named Brandy as well as a half-brother named Buddy.He studied at Paul W. Horn Elementary School and later attended Pershing Middle School in Houston.After middle school, Quaid attended Bellaire High School where he studied Mandarin Chinese and dance. He then went on to attend the University of Houston where he learnt drama under coach Cecil Pickett, father of actress Cindy Pickett. Quaid, however, dropped out of the university before graduating in order to pursue an acting career.Continue Reading BelowRecommended Lists:

Recommended Lists:

American ModelsAmerican Women ModelsAmerican Entrepreneurs19th Century American EntrepreneursCareerDennis Quaid made his film debut in 1975 with the flick ‘Crazy Mama’ in which he appeared as Bellhop. He, however, didn’t get any recognition for this role. In 1977, he appeared in the movies ‘I Never Promised You a Rose Garden’ and ‘September 30, 1955’. That year, he also appeared in an episode of ‘Baretta’.Soon after this, the actor played the role of Phil Lawver in the television movie ‘Are You in the House Alone?’ He was then cast as Mike in the comedy movie ‘Breaking Away’ that earned him wide recognition. He then got featured in the 1980 film ‘The Long Riders,’ directed by Walter Hill.In 1981, Quaid was cast in the biographical drama TV movie ‘Bill’ in which he was assigned the role of ‘Barry Morrow’. The same year, he did the films ‘All Night Long’, ‘Caveman’ and ‘The Night the Lights Went Out’.The American artiste reprised his role as Barry Morrow in ‘Bill: On His Own’ (1983), the sequel of the TV movie ‘Bill.’ He also was cast in the films ‘Tough Enough’, ‘Jaws 3-D’ and ‘The Right Stuff’ that year.In the ensuing years, he had roles in the movies ‘Dreamscape’, ‘Enemy Mine’, ‘Innerspace’, ‘Suspect’, ‘D.O.A.’, ‘Everybody's All-American’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire’.From 1990 to 1995, Quaid did a number of big screen projects including ‘Come See the Paradise’, ‘Postcards from the Edge’, ‘Undercover Blues’, ‘Flesh and Bone’ and ‘Something to Talk About’.He next got featured in the films ‘Gang Related’ and ‘Switchback’ in 1997. The following year, he had roles in the films ‘The Parent Trap’, ‘Savior’ and ‘Playing by Heart’.The American artiste was then approached for a role in Oliver Stone's ‘Any Given Sunday’. He was eventually cast in the role of the aging pro football quarterback Jack 'Cap' Rooney.In the year 2000, he appeared in the movie ‘Traffic’. The following year, he did the TV movie ‘Dinner with Friends’.Continue Reading Below Quaid made notable appearances in the films ‘The Rookie’, ‘Cold Creek Manor’, ‘The Alamo’, ‘The Day After Tomorrow’, ‘In Good Company’, ‘Flight of the Phoenix’ and ‘Yours, Mine and Ours’ in the 2000s.He did the movies ‘Vantage Point’ and ‘The Express’ in 2008. In 2009, he played General Hawk in the flick ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’ and Payton in the movie ‘Pandorum’. The actor also lent his voice for an episode of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ the same year.He then appeared as himself in the documentary ‘Chasing Zero: Winning the War on Healthcare Harm’. He got featured in the movies ‘Soul Surfer’ and ‘Footloose’ in 2011. From 2012 to 2013, Quaid portrayed the character of Sheriff Ralph Lamb in the period drama series ‘Vegas’.After this, he began playing Samuel Brukner in the series ‘The Art of More’ in 2015. That year, he also appeared in two episodes of ‘Inside Amy Schumer’. Two years later, in 2017, he starred in the flick ‘A Dog's Purpose’ as Ethan. The same year, the actor played Michael Lennox in the sitcom ‘Fortitude’.In 2018, he starred in the drama film ‘I Can Only Imagine’, playing Arthur Millard, the father of singer/songwriter Bart Millard.Recommended Lists:

Recommended Lists:

American Scientists20th Century American Scientists19th Century American ScientistsAmerican Male ScientistsMajor WorksIn 1987, Dennis Quaid played Det. Remy McSwain in the movie ‘The Big Easy’. In the crime comedy drama movie directed by Jim McBride, he starred alongside actors Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, and John Goodman. Quaid, who also performed and wrote the film’s track "Closer to You," went on to receive two best actor awards for his performance in the movie.The American actor starred in the period drama film ‘Far from Heaven’. This film, also starring Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson and Julianne Moore, explores race, class, sexual orientation, and gender roles in the context of the 1950s America. Quaid, who played the role of Frank Whitaker in the movie, won multiple awards in the ‘best supporting actor’ category at various award functions.In 2010, Quaid appeared in ‘The Special Relationship’. This British-American political flick directed by Richard Loncraine is the third flick in Morgan's informal "Blair trilogy" that follows the political career of the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The film featured Quaid as Bill Clinton, Michael Sheen as Blair, Helen McCrory as Cherie Blair and Hope Davis as Hillary Clinton. Recommended Lists:

Recommended Lists:

American Women ScientistsAmerican Writers19th Century American Writers20th Century American WritersPersonal LifeDennis Quaid was married to his first wife American actress P. J. Soles from 1978 to 1983.He then married actress Meg Ryan on February 14, 1991. The couple had one son, Jack Henry. They divorced in 2001, after ten years of marriage.Quaid then began dating model Shanna Moakler in 2001. His relationship with Moakler lasted for eight months.The American actor married Kimberly Buffington on July 4, 2004. The couple had twins Zoe Grace and Thomas Boone who were born via surrogacy. The relationship between Quaid and Buffington soured and the latter filed for divorce in 2012. The duo, however, reconciled for a brief period of time before separating again. In 2016, they announced that they were divorcing. Their divorce was finalized in 2018.Recommended Lists:

Recommended Lists:

21st Century American WritersAmerican Male WritersAmerican Female WritersAmerican PhilosophersTriviaDennis Quaid is a one-handicap golfer. In 2005, he was named as the top golf player among the "Hollywood set" by the famous ‘Golf Digest’ magazine.Recommended Lists:

Recommended Lists:

19th Century American PhilosophersAmerican Female PhilosophersAmerican Musicians20th Century American Musicians19th Century American Musicians21st Century American MusiciansAmerican Male MusiciansAmerican Female MusiciansAmerican Sportspersons20th Century American Sportspersons21st Century American SportspersonsAmerican Male SportspersonsAmerican Women SportspersonsAmerican Poets19th Century American PoetsAmerican Male PoetsAmerican Female PoetsAmerican Artists & Painters19th Century American Artists & Painters18th Century American Artists & PaintersAmerican Female Artists & PaintersAmerican Spiritual & Religious LeadersAmerican Female Spiritual & Religious LeadersAmerican Political Leaders19th Century American Political LeadersAmerican Female Political LeadersAmerican EconomistsAmerican Female EconomistsAmerican Mathematicians19th Century American MathematiciansAmerican Female MathematiciansAmerican AstronomersAmerican Women AstronomersAmerican Physicists20th Century American PhysicistsAmerican Female PhysicistsAmerican Physicians19th Century American PhysiciansAmerican Female PhysiciansAmerican RevolutionariesAmerican Singers20th Century American Singers21st Century American SingersAmerican Male SingersAmerican Women SingersAmerican DancersAmerican Female DancersAmerican Journalists19th Century American JournalistsAmerican Male JournalistsAmerican Female JournalistsAmerican DiplomatsAmerican CoachesAmerican EntertainersAmerican Female EntertainersAmerican TheologiansAmerican EducatorsAmerican Female EducatorsAmerican ArtistsAmerican Male ArtistsAmerican Female ArtistsAmerican EditorsAmerican Female EditorsAmerican SoldiersAmerican Female SoldiersAmerican PriestsAmerican PublishersAmerican Female PublishersAmerican AstronautsAmerican Women AstronautsAmerican SculptorsAmerican Female SculptorsAmerican Business WomenAmerican PreachersAmerican PastorsAmerican Female PastorsAmerican Film & Theater Personalities20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities21st Century American Film & Theater PersonalitiesAmerican Male Film & Theater PersonalitiesAmerican Female Film & Theater PersonalitiesAmerican ActressesAmerican DirectorsAmerican Male DirectorsAmerican Female DirectorsAmerican ComediansAmerican Male ComediansAmerican Female ComediansAmerican CinematographersAmerican Theater PersonalitiesAmerican Female Theater PersonalitiesAmerican TV & Movie ProducersAmerican Agricultural ScientistsAmerican AstrophysicistsAmerican BiologistsAmerican Female BiologistsAmerican BiophysicistsAmerican BotanistsAmerican EntomologistsAmerican GeneticistsAmerican ImmunologistsAmerican Medical ScientistsAmerican MicrobiologistsAmerican Molecular BiologistsAmerican NeuroscientistsAmerican OrnithologistsAmerican PaleontologistsAmerican PathologistsAmerican PharmacologistsAmerican PhysiologistsAmerican VirologistsAmerican ZoologistsAmerican ChemistsAmerican Female ChemistsAmerican BiochemistsAmerican Female BiochemistsAmerican Organic ChemistsAmerican Physical ChemistsAmerican Computer ScientistsAmerican Female Computer ScientistsAmerican GeologistsAmerican MeteorologistsAmerican OceanographersAmerican Ballet DancersAmerican Women Ballet DancersAmerican Contemporary DancersAmerican Female Contemporary DancersAmerican ChoreographersAmerican Female ChoreographersAmerican ActivistsAmerican Women ActivistsAmerican Environmental ActivistsAmerican Female Environmental ActivistsAmerican Civil Rights ActivistsAmerican Female Civil Rights ActivistsAmerican Children's Rights ActivistsAmerican Animal Rights ActivistsAmerican Female Animal Rights ActivistsAmerican Human Rights ActivistsAmerican Female Human Rights ActivistsAmerican Peace ActivistsAmerican Female Peace ActivistsAmerican Intellectuals & AcademicsAmerican Male Intellectuals & AcademicsAmerican Female Intellectuals & AcademicsAmerican HistoriansAmerican GeographersAmerican LinguistsAmerican Political ScientistsAmerican SociologistsAmerican Female SociologistsAmerican AnthropologistsAmerican Female AnthropologistsAmerican Fashion DesignersAmerican Female Fashion DesignersAmerican Tennis PlayersAmerican Female Tennis PlayersAmerican BoxersAmerican Female BoxersAmerican GolfersAmerican Female GolfersAmerican CyclistsAmerican Female Football PlayersAmerican GymnastsAmerican Female GymnastsAmerican SwimmersAmerican Female SwimmersAmerican F1 DriversAmerican Rally DriversAmerican Hockey PlayersAmerican Female Hockey PlayersAmerican Badminton PlayersAmerican Table Tennis PlayersAmerican Female Table Tennis PlayersAmerican WrestlersAmerican Female WrestlersAmerican Snooker PlayersAmerican Chess PlayersAmerican Female Chess PlayersAmerican Marathon RunnersAmerican Shot Put PlayersAmerican Basketball PlayersAmerican Male Basketball PlayersAmerican Women Basketball PlayersAmerican Baseball PlayersAmerican Female Baseball PlayersAmerican WeightliftersAmerican Female WeightliftersAmerican BodybuildersAmerican Female BodybuildersAmerican Polo PlayersAmerican Motorcycle RacersAmerican SkateboardersAmerican SkiersAmerican Female SkiersAmerican Oil BaronsAmerican IT & Software EntrepreneursAmerican Venture CapitalistsAmerican HoteliersAmerican RestaurateursAmerican Female RestaurateursAmerican Real Estate EntrepreneursAmerican BankersAmerican PhotographersAmerican Female PhotographersAmerican Media PersonalitiesAmerican Male Media PersonalitiesAmerican Female Media PersonalitiesAmerican TV AnchorsAmerican Female Tv AnchorsAmerican CartoonistsAmerican Female CartoonistsAmerican Newspaper ColumnistsAmerican Female Newspaper ColumnistsAmerican Radio JockeysAmerican Video JockeysAmerican Reality TV PersonalitiesAmerican Female Reality TV PersonalitiesAmerican TV PresentersAmerican Female Tv PresentersAmerican GuitaristsAmerican Male GuitaristsAmerican Female GuitaristsAmerican ViolinistsAmerican Female ViolinistsAmerican Jazz MusiciansAmerican Female Jazz MusiciansAmerican PianistsAmerican Male PianistsAmerican Female PianistsAmerican ConductorsAmerican DrummersAmerican Female DrummersAmerican Composers20th Century American ComposersAmerican Male ComposersAmerican Female ComposersAmerican Lyricists & SongwritersAmerican Male Lyricists & SongwritersAmerican Female Lyricists & SongwritersAmerican Blues MusiciansAmerican Female Blues MusiciansAmerican Classical MusiciansAmerican Country MusiciansAmerican Female Country MusiciansAmerican Pop MusiciansAmerican Female Pop MusiciansAmerican Rock MusiciansAmerican Female Rock MusiciansAmerican Abstract PaintersAmerican Criminals19th Century American CriminalsAmerican Male CriminalsAmerican Female CriminalsAmerican TerroristsAmerican Serial KillersAmerican Women Serial KillersAmerican FraudstersAmerican RobbersAmerican MurderersAmerican Female MurderersAmerican Rhythm & Blues SingersAmerican Female Rhythm & Blues SingersAmerican Country SingersAmerican Female Country SingersAmerican Hip-Hop & RappersAmerican Female Hip Hop SingersAmerican Pop SingersAmerican Male Pop SingersAmerican Female Pop SingersAmerican Jazz SingersAmerican Female Jazz SingersAmerican Opera SingersAmerican Female Opera SingersAmerican Reggae SingersAmerican Rock SingersAmerican Female Rock SingersAmerican Hard Rock SingersAmerican Folk SingersAmerican Female Folk SingersAmerican Playback SingersAmerican Female Playback SingersAmerican Novelists19th Century American NovelistsAmerican Female NovelistsAmerican PlaywrightsAmerican Female PlaywrightsAmerican Short Story WritersAmerican Female Short Story WritersAmerican Screenplay WritersAmerican Female Screenplay WritersAmerican SurgeonsAmerican CardiologistsAmerican NeurologistsAmerican EpidemiologistsAmerican EndocrinologistsAmerican OphthalmologistsAmerican PediatriciansAmerican PsychologistsAmerican Female PsychologistsAmerican Leaders19th Century American Leaders18th Century American LeadersAmerican Male LeadersAmerican Women LeadersAmerican PresidentsAmerican Military Leaders19th Century American Military LeadersAmerican Lawyers & JudgesAmerican Male Lawyers & JudgesAmerican Female Lawyers & JudgesAmerican LawyersAmerican Male LawyersAmerican Female LawyersAmerican JudgesAmerican Female JudgesAmerican Food ExpertsAmerican Female Food ExpertsAmerican ChefsAmerican Female ChefsAmerican Engineers19th Century American EngineersAmerican Male EngineersAmerican Female EngineersAmerican Computer EngineersAmerican Female Computer EngineersAmerican Electronics EngineersAmerican Mechanical EngineersAmerican Civil EngineersAmerican Electrical EngineersAmerican ArchitectsAmerican Female ArchitectsAmerican Critics & ConnoisseursAmerican Female Critics & ConnoisseursAmerican Art CriticsAmerican Female Art CriticsAmerican Inventors & DiscoverersAmerican Female Inventors & DiscoverersAmerican PilotsAmerican Social ReformersAmerican Female Social ReformersAmerican First LadiesAmerican ExplorersAmerican AthletesAmerican Female AthletesAmerican Martial ArtistsAmerican Female Martial ArtistsAmerican FootballAmerican Female American Football PlayersAmerican AviatorsAmerican Female AviatorsAmerican Public SpeakersAmerican Female Public SpeakersAmerican TelevangelistsAmerican Female TelevangelistsAmerican Science Fiction WritersAmerican Female Science Fiction WritersAmerican Non-Fiction WritersAmerican Female Non-fiction WritersAmerican EssayistsAmerican Female EssayistsAmerican BiographersAmerican Female BiographersAmerican RappersAmerican Male RappersAmerican Female RappersAmerican Gospel SingersAmerican Female Gospel SingersAmerican Sports AdministratorsAmerican Political ActivistsAmerican Female Political ActivistsAmerican SocialitesAmerican Female SocialitesAmerican Women's Rights ActivistsAmerican Ice Hockey PlayersAmerican Stand-up ComediansAmerican Female Stand-up ComediansAmerican Record ProducersAmerican Female Record ProducersAmerican CEOsAmerican Female CeosAmerican Soul SingersAmerican MountaineersAmerican MagiciansAmerican SpiesAmerican Voice ActorsAmerican Male Voice ActorsAmerican Female Voice ActorsAmerican NursesAmerican War CriminalsAmerican BacteriologistsAmerican Social Media StarsAmerican Male Social Media StarsAmerican Women Social Media StarsAmerican VloggersAmerican Male VloggersAmerican Female VloggersAmerican YouTubersAmerican Male YoutubersAmerican Women YouTubersAmerican Musical.ly StarsAmerican Male Tiktok StarsAmerican Female Tiktok StarsAmerican VinersAmerican Female VinersAmerican Instagram StarsAmerican Female Instagram StarsAmerican Realist PaintersAmerican GamersAmerican Female GamersAmerican Mixed Martial ArtistsAmerican Female Mixed Martial ArtistsAmerican Figure SkatersAmerican Female Figure SkatersAmerican K-Pop SingersAmerican Drug LordsAmerican GangstersAmerican InvestorsAmerican WWE WrestlersAmerican Female WWE WrestlersAmerican Adult Film StarsAmerican Female Adult Film StarsAmerican Instagram SingersAmerican Female Instagram SingersAmerican Instagram DancersAmerican Female Instagram DancersAmerican YouTube SingersAmerican Female Youtube SingersAmerican YouTube DancersAmerican Female Youtube DancersAmerican Comedy YouTubersAmerican Female Comedy YoutubersAmerican Instagram Fitness ModelsAmerican Female Instagram Fitness ModelsAmerican Fitness YouTubersAmerican Female Fitness YoutubersAmerican Beauty VloggersAmerican Female Beauty VloggersAmerican Fashion VloggersAmerican Female Fashion VloggersAmerican YouTube PrankstersAmerican Female Youtube PrankstersAmerican Food YouTubersAmerican DIY YouTubersAmerican Female DIY YouTubersAmerican Parody YouTubersAmerican DJsAmerican Internet EnprepreneursAmerican Instagram ModelsAmerican Female Instagram ModelsAmerican YouNow StarsAmerican Female Younow StarsAmerican BassistsAmerican Female BassistsAmerican Instagram ComediansAmerican Twitch StreamersAmerican SnowboardersAmerican Female SnowboardersAmerican Child ActorsAmerican Female Child ActorsAmerican Volleyball PlayersAmerican Female Volleyball PlayersAmerican EquestriansAmerican VocalistsAmerican Poker PlayersAmerican KickboxersAmerican Stock Car Race DriversAmerican Race Car DriversAmerican Female Race Car DriversAmerican DiversAmerican ArchersAmerican FencersAmerican Female FencersAmerican Beach Soccer PlayersAmerican Ski JumpersAmerican Female Ski JumpersAmerican Skeleton AthletesAmerican Female Skeleton AthletesAmerican ShootersAmerican Female ShootersTexas ActorsUniversity Of HoustonAries ActorsAmerican ActorsActors Who Are In Their 60sAmerican Film & Theater Personalities