Born in the Midwest in 1947, the remarkably low-key actor Kevin Kline performed in numerous school productions before enrolling in Indiana University.
He completed his studies by getting accepted at New York’s Julliard School, after which he began theatre work with John Houseman’s Acting Company. Excelling in Shakespeare, Kline performed as Hamlet and Romeo across the US.
Kline won a Tony award and a Drama Desk gong for his 1978 Broadway performance of 'On The Twentieth Century' and his theatre success continued in 'The Pirates of Penzance' in 1981. Moving into television, he appeared in the daytime soap, 'Search for Tomorrow'.
He made his impressive film debut in Alan Pakula’s 'Sophie’s Choice', for which he received his first Golden Globe nomination.
Cast in Lawrence Kasdan’s baby-boomer classic 'The Big Chill' the next year, he went on to star in the western 'Silverado'.
Always a versatile actor, Kline excelled in some contrasting roles. In 1987, his performance as a newspaper editor in the anti-apartheid 'Cry Freedom' was celebrated. However, in 1988, he flexed his comic muscles in the smash hit 'A Fish Called Wanda', for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Now a respected and popular star, he seemed to revel in the diversity of the parts he chose through the 90's. The comedy 'Soapdish' was not successful, but his performance as Douglas Fairbanks in 'Chaplin' was well received.
Back on high-profile form, he appeared as the President’s impersonator in 'Dave', and daringly, as the sexually confused teacher, in 'In & Out', in 1997. He won another Golden Globe award for this role, as well as MTV’s "Best Kiss" award, for his smooch with Tom Selleck.
With his sinister turn in 'The Ice Storm' and his redeeming presence in 'Midsummer Night’s Dream' and 'Wild Wild West', the actor, refreshingly free from ego and off-screen excess, shows no sign of ending this refreshing diversity.
Kline married actress Phoebe Cates in 1989. The couple make their home in New York City and have three children: Owen, Greta and Autumn Belle.
Source: http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/kevin-kline.html
