Oliver Platt

Oliver Platt, born on January 12, 1960, is an esteemed American actor celebrated for his versatile performances across stage and screen. His illustrious career has garnered him recognition, including five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, a Golden Globe Award nomination, two Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations, and a Tony Award nomination.
Platt embarked on his acting journey with a notable debut in the 1988 film Married to the Mob. Since then, he has captivated audiences with memorable roles in a diverse array of films such as The Impostors (1998), Pieces of April (2003), The Ice Harvest (2005), Casanova (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), and Please Give (2010). His repertoire also includes standout performances in classics like Working Girl (1988), Flatliners (1990), Beethoven (1992), Indecent Proposal (1993), and A Time to Kill (1996), as well as in modern hits like Bulworth and Dr. Dolittle (both 1998), Ready To Rumble (2000), Kinsey (2004), 2012 (2009), Love & Other Drugs (2010), X-Men: First Class (2011), Ginger and Rosa (2013), and Rules Don't Apply (2016).


Platt has left an indelible mark on television as well, with recurring roles in acclaimed series such as The Big C, Fargo, and The Good Wife. Notably, his performances in The West Wing (2001), Huff (2005, 2006), and Nip/Tuck (2008) earned him Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He notably portrayed George Steinbrenner in the series The Bronx Is Burning (2007) and continues to impress with his portrayal of Uncle Jimmy in the Hulu series The Bear (2022–present).
On Broadway, Platt showcased his exceptional talent, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in the Conor McPherson play Shining City (2006). He further solidified his stage prowess with a captivating portrayal of Nathan Detroit in the 2009 revival of the beloved Frank Loesser musical Guys and Dolls.


Platt hails from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, born to American parents Sheila Maynard, a clinical social worker, and Nicholas Platt, a distinguished diplomat who held ambassadorial roles in countries like Pakistan, Zambia, and the Philippines. His older brother, Adam Platt, is renowned as a restaurant critic for New York magazine. The family relocated to the United States when Oliver was just three months old.
His lineage boasts notable figures, including his paternal great-grandfather, the accomplished artist and architect Charles A. Platt, and his maternal great-grandparents, equestrian Arthur Scott Burden from the prominent Burden family, and socialite Cynthia Roche. Additionally, Platt is a descendant of General Robert Shaw Oliver through his maternal line.
Delving further into his ancestry, Platt's paternal great-great-grandfather was the esteemed diplomat and lawyer Joseph Hodges Choate, a prominent figure in New York City during the Gilded Age. Choate later served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom under President William McKinley. His brother, William Gardner Choate, was also a notable lawyer and federal judge, credited with establishing Choate Rosemary Hall.


Due to his father's career as a foreign service officer, Platt's upbringing was marked by frequent moves across Asia and Washington, D.C. Throughout his childhood, he attended a total of twelve different schools, including the American School in Japan, leading him to reflect, "Even now I find myself envying people who have neighborhoods and roots." Despite the nomadic lifestyle, Platt's family maintained strong ties to Washington, often returning for Redskins games, while Platt himself developed a fondness for the Boston Red Sox.
At the age of nine, a pivotal moment occurred during a family visit to the Kennedy Center in Washington. Witnessing a performance featuring a young Morgan Freeman delivering a captivating monologue left an indelible mark on Platt, igniting his passion for acting. Recounting the experience, Platt reminisced, "This guy was just so riveting. He stood there on stage alone before the curtain went up, and he held this audience utterly rapt. Including myself, obviously." For Platt, involvement in drama departments provided a sense of stability amidst the constant flux of his childhood, offering a much-needed anchor in unfamiliar surroundings. Reflecting on this period, he remarked, "It was something of a survival mechanism, in that it gave me a little subculture to plug into wherever I ended up. Kids need that. I certainly did."


Platt pursued a drama major at Tufts University, where he forged a lasting friendship with Hank Azaria. Following graduation, he immersed himself in Boston's vibrant theatre scene for three years, describing it as a period enriched with "a wealth of serious amateur theatre." During this time, Platt honed his craft through a diverse array of roles, considering it invaluable training for his burgeoning career. He embarked on tours with Shakespeare and Company, venturing into schools to earn his Equity card before making the leap to New York.
In the early stages of his career, Platt graced the stages of Off-Broadway and regional theaters, showcasing his talent with esteemed institutions like the New York Shakespeare Festival, Lincoln Center Theater, and Manhattan Theatre Club. His versatility allowed him to explore roles across various genres, contributing to his growth as an actor. While working at the Manhattan Punch Line Theatre, Platt secured representation and had a fortuitous encounter with actor Bill Murray at a family Christmas gathering. Murray's endorsement led to a pivotal opportunity when director Jonathan Demme cast Platt in the film Married to the Mob in 1988, marking a significant breakthrough in his career. Reflecting on this turning point, Platt credits his time at the Punch Line Theater for propelling him into the spotlight.

References

1.  "UPI Almanac for Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020". United Press International. January 12, 2020. Archived from the original on January 13, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020. … actor Oliver Platt in 1960 (age 60)
2. ^ Platt, speaking to brother Adam Platt in Platt, Adam (February 19, 2009). "The Brothers Platt". New York. Vox Media. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Our father joined the Foreign Service at a young age, which meant that we grew up all over the place. You were born in Washington, D.C. Our younger brother, Nick, who's now a prosperous business executive, was born in Hong Kong. I was born in Windsor, Ontario, which is right across from Detroit, when our father was stamping visas there, on the U.S.-Canada border.
3. ^ "Oliver Platt Biography". Film Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
4. a b c Kipen, David (April 3, 1995). "Oliver Platt: from second banana to pick of the bunch". L.A. Life. Los Angeles Daily News. p. L1.
5. ^ McDonald, Gayle (April 28, 2006). "Oliver Platt: 7 questions". The Globe and Mail. p. R34.
6. ^ "Hamlet in New Hampshire was a haven for artists". Vindy.com. February 21, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
7. ^ Roberts, Gary Boyd. "#43 Royal Descents, Notable Kin, and Printed Sources: New – and Deleted – Immigrants of Royal Descent". NewEnglandAncestors.org. Retrieved December 29, 2009.