Christian Slater

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12 Feb 2024

Christian Slater

Christian Michael Leonard Slater, born on August 18, 1969, is an American actor and producer. He burst onto the film scene with a prominent role in The Legend of Billie Jean (1985), but it was his portrayal of the sociopathic high school student Jason "J.D." Dean in Heathers (1988) that propelled him to wider recognition. Slater garnered critical acclaim for his title role in the USA Network television series Mr. Robot (2015–2019), earning the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film in 2016, with additional nominations in 2017 and 2018.

During the 1990s, Slater starred in several high-profile films, such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Interview with the Vampire (1994), Broken Arrow (1996), and Hard Rain (1998). He also made his mark in cult classics like Gleaming the Cube (1989), Pump Up the Volume (1990), and True Romance (1993). His diverse filmography includes roles in The Name of the Rose (1986), Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988), Windtalkers (2002), Alone in the Dark (2005), Bobby (2006), He Was a Quiet Man (2007), Nymphomaniac (2013), The Wife (2017), and We Can Be Heroes (2020).

In addition to his live-action work, Slater has made significant contributions to voice acting. He lent his voice to memorable characters such as Pips in FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992), Slater in Archer (2014–present), Ushari in The Lion Guard (2016–2019), Rand Ridley in Inside Job (2021–2022), and Floyd Lawton / Deadshot in the DC Animated Movie Universe.

Slater was born on August 18, 1969, in New York City. His father, Michael Hawkins (born Thomas Knight Slater), was an actor known as Michael Gainsborough, while his mother, Mary Jo Slater (née Lawton), transitioned from acting agent to casting executive and producer. Slater has a maternal half-brother named Ryan Slater, who also pursued a career in acting. Additionally, his great-uncle was the renowned radio personality Bill Slater. Slater received his education from the Dalton School, the Professional Children's School, and the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.

Slater embarked on his acting journey at an early age, landing his first television role at the tender age of eight on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. Following this, he appeared on Ryan's Hope before making his Broadway debut in the 1980 revival of The Music Man, starring as the lisping Winthrop Paroo alongside Dick Van Dyke. His repertoire expanded with additional Broadway credits, including roles in Copperfield, Merlin, Macbeth, Side Man, and The Glass Menagerie. He also showcased his talent in London's West End productions of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Swimming with Sharks.

In 1985, Slater made his debut on the big screen in The Legend of Billie Jean, portraying Billie Jean's brother Binx. Although the film was anticipated to be a major success, it fell short at the box office, but has since gained a cult following. However, Slater's career received a boost with his role alongside Sean Connery in The Name of the Rose (1986), where he played Connery's apprentice monk investigating murders at a Benedictine abbey. This was followed by his portrayal of Junior Tucker in Francis Ford Coppola's Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988).

At just 18 years old, Slater delivered a memorable performance as the dark character J.D. in the 1988 film Heathers, starring opposite Winona Ryder. His portrayal earned him widespread acclaim and drew comparisons to a young Jack Nicholson. Following this success, Slater continued to showcase his versatility, starring in films like Gleaming the Cube and appearing in Beyond the Stars, both released in 1989. He received offers to portray troubled youths in subsequent roles, such as a rebellious teen in Pump Up the Volume (1990) and a wild gunman in Young Guns II (1990), where he acted alongside Emilio Estevez, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Kiefer Sutherland.

In 1991, Slater secured the role of Will Scarlett in the Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, sharing the screen with Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Rickman. The film proved to be a massive commercial success, grossing US$390 million worldwide, and elevated Slater to the ranks of A-list stars in the 1990s. Given his admiration for Star Trek and with his mother, Mary Jo Slater, serving as the casting director for the film, Slater eagerly accepted a cameo role in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, shortly after portraying Charlie Luciano in the crime drama Mobsters.

Expanding his repertoire, Slater ventured into comedy in 1992 with the film Kuffs, co-starring alongside Milla Jovovich. In 1993, he showcased his versatility by taking on diverse roles, starring opposite Marisa Tomei in Untamed Heart and portraying Clarence Worley in True Romance, a film written by Quentin Tarantino that garnered widespread acclaim. Roger Ebert praised True Romance, awarding it 3 out of 4 stars and highlighting Slater's "cocky recklessness" that complemented the movie's energy and style.

In 1994, Slater landed the role of interviewer Daniel Molloy in Interview with the Vampire, stepping in after the untimely death of his friend River Phoenix, who was initially cast for the role. In a touching gesture, Slater donated his earnings from the film to Phoenix's favorite charities. Continuing his streak, he starred as Lewis in the romance film Bed of Roses (1996) opposite Mary Stuart Masterson, and as Riley Hale in the high-budget action film Broken Arrow (1996), directed by John Woo and featuring John Travolta.
In 1998, Slater showcased his versatility once again, appearing in the crime movie Hard Rain alongside Morgan Freeman. The same year, he took on a role in the dark comedy Very Bad Things, co-starring with Cameron Diaz.