From expelled student to Hollywood staple: the multifaceted career of Griffin Dunne
In short: Born into a legendary literary family, Griffin Dunne has spent five decades navigating the heights of Hollywood as an actor, director, and producer. From his iconic role in An American Werewolf in London to directing cult classics and intimate documentaries, Dunne’s path is a masterclass in creative reinvention and persistence.
Born in New York City in 1955, Griffin Dunne is the son of journalist Dominick Dunne and activist Ellen Beatriz. His upbringing was steeped in the arts, with writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne as his aunt and uncle. Despite this pedigree, his early path was unconventional; he was expelled from boarding school for smoking marijuana, a turning point that led him back to New York to study under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. This foundational training propelled him into a prolific acting career, beginning with his 1975 debut in The Other Side of the Mountain.
Dunne’s career is defined by his ability to balance acting with behind-the-scenes production. In the late 1970s, he co-founded Triple Play Productions with Amy Robinson and Mark Metcalf. Their early efforts included the 1982 film Chilly Scenes of Winter, which required a hard-fought re-release to restore its original, realistic ending after a distributor-mandated edit. This commitment to artistic integrity continued through his production company, Double Play Productions, which backed notable films like After Hours and Running on Empty. His directorial work has been equally varied, ranging from the Academy Award-nominated short Duke of Groove to feature films like Practical Magic and the 2017 documentary Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold.
Beyond his film work, Dunne has maintained a consistent presence in television, with roles in series like Frasier, House of Lies, and a multi-year run as Nicky Pearson on This Is Us. His creative output extends to writing, including a collection of short stories and his 2024 memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club. Whether acting opposite Madonna in Who's That Girl or portraying Dr. Vass in Dallas Buyers Club, Dunne’s career reflects a restless, multifaceted engagement with storytelling that spans film, television, and literature.
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