Since his breakout performance as the young Francis Phelan opposite Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep in the Academy Award nominated Ironweed, Frank Whaley has appeared in over 60. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Guy, the put-upon assistant opposite Kevin Spacey in the now cult classic Swimming With Sharks and as the ill-fated drug dealer Brett in Pulp Fiction. His film roles include a fourth collaboration with Oliver Stone in WOorld Trade Center, and his intense and terrifying performance as Mason opposite Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale in Vacancy and As GOood as Dead, opposite Andie MacDowell.
On television Frank appeared in the mini-series Marina and Lee opposite Helena Bonham Carter, with Jessica Tandy in To Dance With The White Dog, HBO's When Trumpets Fade, and opposite Ben Kingsley and Annette Benning in the Emmy award winning Mrs. Harris. He starred opposite Sam Shepard in the ABC television mini-series Ruffian and opposite Tom Selleck in Arthur Haley's Detective. He also starred in Where There's A Will for Lifetime, opposite Blythe Danner in Homage, and with Lara Flynn Boyle in Café Society for Showtime. Additionally, Whaley has made guest appearances on numerous series including, Law and Order, Ugly Betty, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Psyche, N.C.I.S., House and C.S.I., Burn Notice, and Medium. Whaley starred in the CBS television series Buddy Faro opposite Dennis Farina (1999-2001) and in The Dead Zone (2003-2004).
Frank has written and directed three feature films. His first, Joe the King starring Val Kilmer, premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival where he received the Waldo Salt Award for screenwriting and a Grand Jury Prize nomination. His second feature, The Jimmy Show which he wrote, directed and starred in opposite Carla Gugino and Ethan Hawke, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002.His film, New York City Serenade starring Freddie Prinze, Jr., Chris Klein and Wallace Shawn premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.
Aside from his work in television and film, the stage-trained Whaley has appeared Off-Broadway in numerous productions, including his drama desk award winning performance in The Years and Charles Evered's The Size of the World with Rita Moreno which earned him his second Drama Desk nomination. He appeared in the critically acclaimed revival of Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind at the New Group in 2010 and starred opposite Marisa Tomei in the revival of Wallace Shawn's Marie & Bruce. In 1992, Frank co-founded the Malaparte Theater Company along with longtime friends and colleagues Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard which became one of New York's most vibrant, celebrated and popular off Broadway companies. Frank Whaley resides in New York City with his wife and children.
Tribeca Film
