Billy Baldwin, also known as William Joseph Baldwin, is an American actor, producer, and former model. He belongs to the Baldwin family and is the second-youngest of the four Baldwin brothers.
He began his career with parts in films like Internal Affairs, Three of Hearts, Silver, and Fair Game. As time passed, he landed more substantial roles and starred in major productions like Relative Values, The Squid and the Whale, and Feel.
Early Life & Education
Billy Baldwin was born in Massapequa, New York, on February 21, 1963. He was raised by his parents, Carol Newcomb and Alexander Rae Baldwin. He has five siblings, namely Alec, Daniel, Stephen, Beth, and Jane. Known for their successful acting careers, his brothers are often called the ‘Baldwin Brothers’.
The closely connected family has roots in both France and Ireland. Billy attended Alfred G. Berner High School and went on to earn a degree in political science from Binghamton University. He was also a college wrestler in his spare time.
Billy Baldwin’s Career
Billy Baldwin started as a fashion model, with his first job being for Calvin Klein. However, his talent caught the attention of numerous famous individuals, leading to his transition into acting.
In 1989, he made his first appearance on television in ‘The Preppie Murder’ and also starred in the TV film ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ during the same year.
He was offered more substantial and substantial roles in the 1990s. He played lead roles in several films including ‘Internal Affairs’ (1990), ‘Flatliners’ (1990), ‘Backdraft’ (1991), ‘Three of Hearts’ (1993), and ‘Sliver’ (1993). His acting in ‘Sliver’ and ‘Backdraft’ was highly acclaimed and both movies were successful at the box office.
In 1995, he played the character of Garet in the Joshua Brand comedy ‘A Pyromaniac’s Love Story’. He then appeared in the action crime drama ‘Fair Game’, which was well-received by audiences but received criticism from reviewers.
Throughout the rest of the decade, he faced a fall in acting opportunities. He portrayed Paul Guell in ‘Curdled’, Brian in ‘Shattered Image’, Steve Baker in ‘Virus’, and Tom Martinez in the made-for-TV film ‘Brotherhood of Murder.’
He made his debut in the Heywood Gould drama ‘Double Bang’ as Billy Brennan in 2001, followed by a role in the crime thriller ‘One Eyed King’. He concluded the year with a supporting part in the thriller ‘Say Nothing’.
Over the next few years, Baldwin appeared in several supporting roles for both television and film. Some of his notable works during this time include ‘You Stupid Man’ (2002), ‘R.U.S./H. (2002), ‘Red Rover’ (2003), ‘E.D.N.Y. (2003), and ‘Art Heist’ (2004).
He was chosen to play the role of Ivan in the comedic drama ‘The Squid and the Whale’ directed by Noah Baumbach. He shared the screen with Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, and Laura Linney in this highly acclaimed film.
In 2006, Billy Baldwin made his debut as a recurring character on TV as Paul Brennan in the drama series ‘Waterfront.’ His co-stars in this moderately successful show were Bruce MacVittie and Joe Pantoliano, and he appeared in a total of five episodes.
In 2010, he secured the recurring character of William van der Woodsen on the popular show ‘Gossip Girl’ and made appearances in eleven episodes. Over the following years, he also had roles in ‘The Craigslist Killer’ (2011), ’30 Rock’ (2012), ‘Men at Work’ (2012), and ‘Hawaii Five-0’ (2011-2012).
Personal Life
Billy Baldwin is married to the actress and singer Chynna Phillips, and they tied the knot in September 1995. They had been in a relationship for four years before their nuptials. Together, they have three kids: Jameson Leon, Brooke Michelle, and Vance Alexander.
Net Worth
Billy Baldwin, a renowned American actor, has a fortune of $6 million. He is part of the well-known Baldwin family, which includes his brothers Alec, Stephen, and Daniel. Billy’s notable works include “Backdraft” and “The Squid and the Whale.”
