Apr 9, 1954
Aries
Houston, TX
71 years old
N/A
N/A
Movie Actor
Name & Origins
Full Name & Age
Dennis William Quaid, born April 9, 1954, in Houston, Texas, is 71 years old .
Family Background
Son of Juanita “Nita” Quaid, a real estate agent, and William Rudy Quaid, an electrician .
Younger brother of actor Randy Quaid, Dennis grew up with a mix of Irish and Cajun roots in the Houston suburb of Bellaire .
Early Life & Education
Attended Bellaire High School, studying drama, dance, and even Mandarin Chinese, while nurturing interests in music and sports .
Enrolled at the University of Houston to pursue drama, but left early when acting opportunities in Los Angeles first presented themselves .
Rise to Fame & Career Milestones
Breakthrough Years (1975–1983)
Made his film debut with an uncredited role in Crazy Mama (1975), later earning critical buzz with Breaking Away (1979) and acclaim as astronaut Gordon Cooper in The Right Stuff (1983), cementing his status as a versatile leading man .
Powerful Portrayals & Box‑Office Success (1986–2004)
Captivated audiences in The Big Easy (1986), Innerspace (1987), and delivered a powerful performance as rock 'n' roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis in Great Balls of Fire! (1989), a role for which he learned piano and shed intense light on his addictive behavior .
Continued to shine in family and action films like The Parent Trap (1998), Frequency and The Rookie (2002), and delivered a standout supporting turn in Far from Heaven (2002) that earned critical praise .
Recent Roles & Evolving Craft (2010–Present)
Portrayed Bill Clinton in The Special Relationship (2010) and later embraced larger-than-life roles, including playing President Ronald Reagan in the 2024 biopic Reagan .
Starred in faith-based and inspirational dramas like On a Wing and a Prayer (2023) and The Hill (2023), while more recent work includes starring as George Brandywine in the 2025 Western Broke .
Takes on darker characters, including the chilling serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson in Paramount+’s Happy Face .
Off‑Screen Passions & Personal Growth
Music & Spirituality
A lifelong musician who began playing guitar at age 12 and fronted Dennis Quaid & the Sharks. He recently produced a gospel album reflecting his journey from rock ’n’ roll and addiction to spiritual renewal .
Overcoming Addiction
Struggled with cocaine abuse in the 1980s, later entering rehab and experiencing a transformative “white light” moment that catalyzed his long-term sobriety .
Personal Life & New Chapters
Married four times: to P.J. Soles, Meg Ryan (1991–2001; son Jack, b. 1992), Kimberly Buffington (twins Thomas and Zoe, b. 2007), and in June 2020, to Laura Savoie, who now co-produces via Bonniedale Films—despite a 39-year age difference, their shared faith bonds them deeply .
Now divides his time between Nashville—where he delves into music and faith—and Los Angeles, balancing creative life with fatherhood and recovery .
What’s Next for Dennis Quaid
Watch for his upcoming performance in the Western drama Broke (2025) and ongoing portrayal of the Joyful yet troubling Happy Face Killer on Paramount .
With Bonniedale Films, he’s developing new projects blending his passions for faith, storytelling, and personal truth.
Dennis Quaid’s journey—from a young Beatles-inspired Texan to a seasoned actor, soulful musician, and passionate advocate of redemption—reveals a life defined by transformation, resilience, and wholehearted creativity.
