Dermot Mulroney

Early life

Mulroney was born in Alexandria, Virginia on Halloween in 1963. His father, Michael Mulroney of Elkader, Iowa, was a law professor at Villanova University School of Law beginning in the 1990s; before that time, he had a private practice in tax law for thirty years in Washington, D.C. Mulroney's mother, Ellen, was a regional theater actress who was originally from Manchester, Iowa. Mulroney is of Irish and German descent, and is the middle child among five siblings. He has two older brothers, Conor and Sean; a younger brother, Kieran Mulroney, who is an actor and screenwriter; and a younger sister, Moira.

Mulroney attended Matthew Maury Elementary School and played cello in school and city youth orchestras, as well as acted in children's community theater. He finished 9th and 10th grades at George Washington High School, before attending T. C. Williams High School (class of 1981) in Alexandria, Virginia. During his sophomore year in high school, he attended the Interlochen Arts Camp as a cellist. Beginning at age 18, Mulroney studied communications at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and graduated in 1985.

Mulroney has a scar on his upper lip from a childhood accident, about which he explained, "I was 3½ and I was carrying a dish for our pet rabbits. And I tripped and it broke, and I fell on it."

Career

1986–1996

In his senior year in college, Mulroney responded to a sign-up sheet and auditioned in front of WMA agent Barbara Gale, who offered him a contract and asked him to relocate to Hollywood. There, Mulroney auditioned for three months before landing the role of the male lead in his debut in Sin of Innocence. In his first decade acting, Mulroney appeared in a slew of drama films often dealing with heavy subject matter: Sin of Innocence (1986), in which he played a stepbrother romantically involved with his stepsister after their parents marry; Daddy (1987), in which he played the boyfriend in a couple struggling with teenage parenthood; the Lee Grant sibling family drama Staying Together (1989); Unconquered (1989), in which he portrayed the son of Richmond Flowers Sr., an opponent of Alabama Governor George Wallace's segregationist policies; Longtime Companion (1989), in which he portrayed the first HIV/AIDS patient to die of the disease in a widely released film; Where the Day Takes You (1992), in which he plays the leader of a group of teenage runaways trying to survive in the streets of Los Angeles; and supporting roles in the Emmy Award-nominated Family Pictures (1993), which dealt with the struggles of raising a child with autism, and Bastard out of Carolina (1996), which dealt with abuse and molestation.

In 1988, Mulroney appeared in the baseball flick Long Gone, for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie at the CableACE Awards. In 1989, he appeared in Survival Quest, during which he met Catherine Keener. While filming, in 1986, Keener was caught in a river current and floated precariously close to whitewater rapids when Mulroney jumped in and the pair were picked up half a mile downstream. The two eventually married in 1990. The couple would go on to appear together in four other films: Living in Oblivion (1995), Heroine of Hell (1996), Box of Moonlight (1996) and Lovely & Amazing (2001). Mulroney's roles in Samantha (1991) and Where the Day Takes You (1992) awarded him Best Actor at the Seattle International Film Festival. In 1993, he wrote the song "Someone Else's Used Guitar" for Peter Bogdanovich's The Thing Called Love, in which he also starred. Mulroney also had a cameo in the Joaquin Phoenix–directed video "Tired of Being Sorry" for Balthazar Getty's band Ringside.

Mulroney appeared in a number of western films throughout this period, namely Young Guns in 1988, Silent Tongue and The Last Outlaw in 1993, and Bad Girls in 1994. The Sam Shepard-directed Silent Tongue would mark the second in a series of four collaborations, with the two previously appearing together on screen in Bright Angel (1990), for which Mulroney won the Jury Special Prize at the Torino International Festival of Young Cinema. Mulroney co-starred in the comedy-drama films: Staying Together (1989); The Thing Called Love (1993), the second of two collaborations with River Phoenix before his death; and There Goes My Baby (1994), originally filmed in 1990. Mulroney appeared in the thriller films Point of No Return in 1993; Copycat in 1995; the Palme d'Or-nominated Kansas City, and The Trigger Effect in 1996. He was nominated for Best Kiss, with Winona Ryder, for How to Make an American Quilt (1996) at the MTV Movie Awards.

1997–present

Several of his lead performances have been in romantic comedy films. Mulroney has appeared in many films, including as the male lead in My Best Friend's Wedding alongside Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz. In 1993, Mulroney played "J.P", the boyfriend of star "Maggie" (played by Bridget Fonda) in Point of No Return. Mulroney also played the love interest of Madeleine Stowe in the western Bad Girls. In 2005, he played Nick Mercer, a male escort alongside Debra Messing in The Wedding Date and co-starred in the ensemble film The Family Stone, with Sarah Jessica Parker. He was also in the film Abduction (2011) as Martin Price.

In 2003, Mulroney played Gavin Mitchell on the TV series Friends. He appeared in three episodes of the ninth season, his character briefly dating Rachel. This would mark Mulroney's last on-screen appearance on television for a number of years, later revealing in a May 2007 interview that he had turned down TV series roles in favor of film. In 2007, Mulroney appeared in the fifth season of The Batman as Green Lantern / Hal Jordan. In 2011, he directed the feature film Love, Wedding, Marriage.

In 2012, Mulroney played the love interest of Zooey Deschanel, Russell, in the Fox series New Girl. In 2013, he played the title starring role in the psychotronic horror film The Rambler, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. He also starred alongside Lin Shaye, Angus Sampson, and Stefanie Scott in the 2015 horror sequel Insidious: Chapter 3. He is the narrator of Legends & Lies (2015–2016) executive produced by Bill O'Reilly for Fox News Channel. He also appeared in the hit Showtime series Shameless as Sean, a recovering drug addict who runs a restaurant. In 2023, Mulroney starred in the sixth installment of the Scream franchise and starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Secret Invasion.

Personal life

Mulroney married actress Catherine Keener in 1990 after they met in 1986 when filming Survival Quest. They have a son named Clyde Keener Mulroney (born June 21, 1999) who is a singer. The couple separated in May 2005 and Mulroney filed for divorce on June 11, 2007, citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce became final on December 19, 2007. In 2010, he married Italian Tharita Cesaroni, who changed her name to Prima Apollinaare in 2015. They have two daughters. Mulroney filed for divorce from Apollinaare on June 23, 2025.

Mulroney is an accomplished cellist. In 1996, he was part of a band called the Low and Sweet Orchestra that released an album in 1996, Goodbye to All That. In 2005, he appeared alongside Boyd Tinsley for Alanis Morissette's show at the House of Blues in Hollywood. He played the cello in the films The Thing Called Love, where he portrayed an aspiring country singer, the 1987 made-for-TV movie Daddy, and Samantha, where he portrayed a college student studying music. He played cello in the song "Place Your Hand" from Melissa Etheridge's 1992 album Never Enough, on the EP for Rain Phoenix's band Papercranes, and on the scores for Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). In 2016, his band, Cranky George, released its debut album Fat Lot of Good. Most recently, he portrayed a cello soloist in the second and third seasons of Mozart in the Jungle.

Mulroney was included in People's Sexiest Men of the Year issue in 2005 as its "Sexiest Jack of Arts".

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (June 1997). "Cover story: Dermot Mulroney – Interview with movie actor".
2. (January 1994). "The one and only Mulroney - actor Dermot Mulroney - Interview".
3. (17 May 1987). "DERMOT MULRONEY FROM ALEXANDRIA TO TINSELTOWN". Washington Post.
4. (May 17, 2008). "Dermot Mulroney's local roots". [[Alexandria Times]].
5. (15 June 1991). "Dermot Mulroney, at 27, Knows a Lot About Playing 18-Year-Olds". Los Angeles Times.
6. (August 2002). "The Purple Pilgrim".
7. (March 26, 2014). "Dermot Mulroney: Good In A 'Crisis'". [[Chicago Sun-Times]]: Splash.
8. (March 26, 1986). "Breaking Into the Act". The Washington Post.
9. Dutka, Elaine. (10 March 2003). "A mullet-proof reputation".
10. (September 1, 1996). "Genuine Gentleman Dermot Mulroney".
11. (29 May 2007). "EXCLUSIVE: Dermot Mulroney Coaches the First Female Soccer Player in Gracie".
12. (26 November 2007). "Exclusive: Batman Nabs Mulroney for Green Lantern - TV Guide".
13. (6 January 2015). "New Insidious Chapter 3 Still Stares Over Your Shoulder - Dread Central".
14. (June 3, 2022). "Dermot Mulroney Joins Latest ''Scream'' Horror Movie (Exclusive)".
15. (June 11, 2007). "Dermot Mulroney Files for Divorce from Catherine Keener".
16. (June 23, 2005). "Dermot Mulroney, wife Prima Apollinaare to divorce after nearly 15 years of marriage". USA Today.
17. "The Low & Sweet Orchestra Discography".
18. (February 2022). "Dermot Mulroney on Jimmy Kimmel Live". [[Jimmy Kimmel Live]].
19. "Cranky George - Fat Lot of Good".
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22. "Dermot Mulroney List of Movies and TV Shows".
23. Barker, Stephen. (April 4, 2024). "Every Movie Dermot Mulroney Played Cello For (Yes, He's On A Star Wars Soundtrack)".
24. McArdle, Tommy. (May 7, 2024). "Dermot Mulroney Not Only Acts — He Also Plays the Cello for Star Wars and Star Trek Movies".
25. "Dermot Mulroney (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
26. Seibold, Witney. (July 30, 2023). "Did You Know Dermot Mulroney Plays Cello For Blockbuster Scores Like Spider-Man: Far From Home?".
27. DeSantis, Rachel. (December 21, 2016). "Rogue One: Dermot Mulroney plays cello on Michael Giacchino's Star Wars score".
28. Reyes, Mike. (October 30, 2020). "Wait, Dermot Mulroney Plays Cello On A Bunch Of Michael Giacchino Scores?".
29. N'Duka, Amanda. (April 22, 2021). "'To All the Boys' Scribe Sofia Alvarez To Helm 'Along for the Ride' Adaptation For Netflix; Kate Bosworth, Andie MacDowell Among Cast".
30. Kit, Borys. (June 3, 2022). "Dermot Mulroney Joins Latest 'Scream' Horror Movie (Exclusive)".
31. Noraas, Dana. (December 16, 2022). "'Scream VI': Release Date, Returning and New Cast, Trailer, and Everything We Know so Far About the Slasher Sequel".
32. "YOU'RE KILLING ME OPENING IN THEATERS AND ON DIGITAL ON APRIL 7, 2023".
33. Kit, Borys. (2022-05-13). "High School Basketball Star Mookie Cook to Play Young LeBron James in Drama 'Shooting Stars' (Exclusive)".
34. Complex, Valerie. (2023-06-29). "Cineverse Acquires Bayou Western ''The Dirty South'' Starring Dermot Mulroney, Willa Holland And Shane West".
35. Stenzel, Wesley. (November 8, 2023). "Dermot Mulroney beats the s--- out of a horrible dad in Ruthless trailer".
36. [[Moviefone]]. (September 10, 2024). "'Depravity' Trailer Sees Residents Suspect Their Neighbor is a Serial Killer".
37. DeVore, Britta. (December 4, 2024). "Jacob Keohane and Jackson Rathbone Hunt Down Dermot Mulroney in 'Laws of Man' Trailer [Exclusive]".
38. Nash, Anthony. (December 10, 2024). "Dermot Mulroney Is a Death Row Inmate in Like Father Like Son".
39. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (January 16, 2025). "Quiver & Briarcliff Entertainment Set Winter Release For Andrew Ortenberg & June Schreiner Romantic Thriller ‘When I’m Ready’: Watch Trailer".
40. Wiseman, Andreas. (September 27, 2024). "Sierra McCormick & Dermot Mulroney Leading Action Caper 'Killing Mary Sue' With Bleiberg Launching Sales; First Look Revealed".
41. Wiseman, Andreas. (January 30, 2025). "Samuel Goldwyn Acquires North America For Action Caper ‘Killing Mary Sue’ Starring Sierra McCormick, Dermot Mulroney, Sean Patrick Flanery & More".
42. Paz, Maggie Dela. (September 18, 2025). "Star-Studded Vampire Cop Movie Gets First Poster & Release Date".
43. Wiseman, Andreas. (July 17, 2024). "First Look At Dermot Mulroney, Jacqueline Bisset & Dominic Monaghan In Western 'Long Shadows'; Producer Tiki Tāne Developing TV Series About Drug Trafficker Jimmy Chagra".
44. Wiseman, Andreas. (March 12, 2025). "Dermot Mulroney, Dominic Monaghan & Jacqueline Bisset Western ‘Long Shadows’ Gets North American Deal".
45. "The Gettysburg Address (2015)".
46. Squires, John. (June 3, 2024). "'Dead and Breakfast' – Dermot Mulroney Stars in B&B Horror Movie".
47. Ntim, Zac. (June 3, 2024). "'Dead And Breakfast:' Horror-Thriller Starring Dermot Mulroney Wraps Production – First Look".
48. Hamman, Cody. (June 5, 2024). "Dead and Breakfast: Dermot Mulroney stars in horror thriller".
49. Wiseman, Andreas. (August 21, 2024). "Dermot Mulroney, Malin Akerman & Brian Austin Green Wrap Rom-Com 'Perfectly Imperfect', First Look Images".
50. Malkin, Marc. (November 1, 2024). "Dermot Mulroney Joins Horror-Thriller ‘Dead of Night’ (EXCLUSIVE)".
51. Wiseman, Andreas. (February 7, 2025). "John Travolta, Mandy Patinkin & Dermot Mulroney Lead Roland Joffé’s JFK Thriller ‘November 1963’; K5 International Aboard For EFM".
52. Wiseman, Andreas. (August 29, 2025). "Martin Freeman & Malin Akerman Comedy ‘Let’s Love’ Gets Sales Deal Ahead Of TIFF Market".
53. O'Connell, Michael. (September 21, 2017). "Dylan McDermott and Dermot Mulroney Are Finally Acting Together". The Hollywood Reporter.
54. Vlessing, Etan. (April 19, 2023). "Showtime's 'Ghosts of Beirut' Trailer Recounts CIA Manhunt for Deadly Terrorist (Exclusive)".
55. Cordero, Rosy. (July 25, 2024). "'Chicago Fire' Hires Dermot Mulroney As New Fire Chief".
56. Cordero, Rosy. (February 23, 2024). "Dermot Mulroney Joins Cast Of New Starz Drama 'The Hunting Wives'".
57. Andreeva, Nellie. (September 12, 2025). "‘The Hunting Wives’ Renewed, Becomes Netflix Global Original As Season 2 Plot Is Revealed".