Reed Birney American actor Date of Birth: 11.09.1954 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Acting Career – Theater and Film
3. Breakthrough in Theater
4. Personal Life
5. Recent Work

Early Life and Education

Reed Birney was born on September 11, 1954, in Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating high school, he attended Boston University's College of Fine Arts for two years. He then moved to New York City and studied at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Acting Career – Theater and Film

Birney began acting in the mid-1970s, appearing in off-Broadway plays such as "The Master and Margarita" and "The Raven." He made his Broadway debut in the acclaimed musical "Twins." His first film role came in 1976 in the documentary "Not a Pretty Picture." Subsequent film credits include "A Perfect Murder" and "Changeling."

Despite working in the industry for decades, Birney struggled to gain significant recognition until well after his 50th birthday. He primarily played supporting roles in films such as "House of Cards" and "Titans."

Breakthrough in Theater

Birney's breakthrough came in 2008 with the play "Blasted." His performance earned him critical acclaim and led to more substantial roles. In 2014, he won a Drama Desk Award for his role in "Casa Valentina," and in 2016, he received Tony and Drama Desk Awards for "The Humans."

Personal Life

Birney has been married to fellow actor Constance Shulman for over 25 years. They have two children, Ephraim and Gus, who are also involved in the entertainment industry.

Recent Work

In 2021, Birney starred in his first leading role in "Mass," a drama about the aftermath of a school shooting. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received critical acclaim.