Frank Whaley

Frank Whaley was born on July 20, 1963, in Syracuse, New York. After graduating from Anthony A. Henninger High School in 1981, he attended the University at Albany. Whaley made his film debut in 1987 in “Ironweed,” and quickly established himself with roles in significant films such as “Field of Dreams” (1989) and “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989). His early career was marked by his appearance as Robby Krieger in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991), initiating a multi-film collaboration with the director. This period also included his leading role in “Career Opportunities” (1991) and a memorable supporting performance in “Pulp Fiction” (1994) as Brett.

Demonstrating his capabilities beyond acting, Whaley transitioned into writing and directing. His feature directorial debut, “Joe the King” (1999), garnered critical acclaim, earning him the Waldo Salt Screenwriting prize at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. He continued his work as a filmmaker with “The Jimmy Show” (2001) and “New York City Serenade” (2007). In 2014, he wrote and directed “Like Sunday, Like Rain,” which received multiple awards at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival. Throughout his career, Whaley has maintained an active presence in theater, frequently collaborating with The New Group in New York City.

Whaley’s acting resume includes over 120 roles across film and television. Notable film appearances include “Broken Arrow” (1996), “Red Dragon” (2002), “School of Rock” (2003), “World Trade Center” (2006), “Vacancy” (2007), “Hustlers” (2019), and “The Shed” (2019). On television, he has taken on diverse roles in series like “Law & Order,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Ray Donovan,” “Gotham,” “The Blacklist,” “Luke Cage,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “Bull” and “Gossip Girl.” His sustained career reflects a consistent engagement with varied projects, both in front of and behind the camera.