Jon Cryer Biography

JON CRYER

Date of Birth: April 16, 1965

Until he landed his Emmy-winning role as Alan Harper in CBS's top-rated comedy series Two and a Half Men, Jon Cryer was best known for his role as Ducky in the popular teen movie Pretty in Pink (1986), co-starring Molly Ringwald and written by John Hughes.

Though he played a quirky misfit, his appearance in the movie launched him as a teen idol. He next played the starring role in Morgan Stewart's Coming Home (1987).

Cryer then turned to TV, landing the lead role on the CBS sitcom, The Famous Teddy Z, which ran from 1989 to 1990. When the series ended, Cryer seemed to disappear from the public eye, though he continued to work steadily with regular roles in short-lived series such as FOX's Partners and the ABC sitcom The Trouble with Normal, occasional guest appearances on shows such as The Outer Limits, Dharma & Greg and Hercules, and indie films.

A native New Yorker, Cryer is the son of actor David Cryer and writer/actress Gretchen Cryer and did his first commercial at the age of four. He studied acting at Stagedoor Manor, a summer acting camp recently featured in Todd Graff's Sundance favorite Camp before being accepted to London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

In 2003, he made a big comeback in the sitcom Two and a Half Men, opposite Charlie Sheen. In addition to starring on the series, Cryer made his directorial debut on an episode of the show during its fourth season, and has since directed additional episodes.

While on hiatus from his show, Cryer returned to the big screen with an appearance in Robert Rodriguez' Shorts (2009) for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Also a gifted filmmaker, Cryer co-wrote, produced, and starred in two independent films for director Richard Schenkman. The first, The Pompatus of Love, explores the romantic floundering of four friends in their thirties. Cryer based his second film, Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God...Be Back by Five, on the true story of a childhood friend who was homeless and living in Central Park. The film has garnered awards in film festivals both in the US and abroad.

On stage, Cryer has hit the boards on both sides of the Atlantic. He played David in Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy, bringing the role from Broadway to Los Angeles; starred on Broadway as Eugene Jerome in Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs; and played Jack in the Los Angeles premiere of Boys' Life. In addition, he earned applause from critics and audiences alike in the London and L.A. productions of 900 Oneonta.

Cryer lives with his second wife, TV reporter Lisa Joyner, in Los Angeles. He has a son, Charlie (b. 2000) with first wife Sarah Trigger. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 19, 2011.

Filmography:

Due Date (2010)
Stay Cool (2009)
Weather Girl (2009)
Tortured (2008)
Clayton (2000)
Glam (1997)
Plan B (1997)
Hot Shots! (1991)
Penn & Teller Get Killed (1989)
Morgan Stewart's Coming Home (1987)