Jon Cryer

Jonathan Niven Cryer was born on April 16, 1965, in New York City, New York, into a family involved in show business. His mother, Gretchen Cryer, is a playwright, songwriter, actress, and singer, while his father, Donald David Cryer, is an actor and singer. Cryer’s ambition to act began at age twelve, leading him to attend Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center and later the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for a short course. He started his professional acting career on Broadway, replacing Matthew Broderick in “Torch Song Trilogy” and also serving as a standby for Broderick in “Brighton Beach Memoirs” in 1984.

Cryer made his film debut in 1984 with the romantic comedy “No Small Affair.” His breakthrough came in 1986 as Philip F. “Duckie” Dale in the John Hughes-written film “Pretty in Pink,” which garnered him significant attention. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he took on diverse roles in films such as “Hiding Out” (1987), “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987), and “Hot Shots!” (1991). He also ventured into television with lead roles in sitcoms like “The Famous Teddy Z” (1989–1990) and “Partners” (1995–1996), and wrote and produced the independent film “Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five” (1998).

A significant turning point in Cryer’s career arrived in 2003 when he was cast as Alan Harper in the CBS sitcom “Two and a Half Men.” This role earned him seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations and two wins, one for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009 and another for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012. After the show concluded in 2015, Cryer continued to expand his acting, directing, and producing work across various television series and films. Notable recent roles include playing Lex Luthor in “Supergirl” (2019–2021) and Jim Kearney in “Extended Family” (2023–2024), demonstrating his enduring presence in the entertainment industry.