Terry O'Quinn: biography, filmography

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

American actor Terry O'Quinn became extraordinarily popular for playing the role of the enigmatic John Locke in the much-loved TV series Lost (2004-2010), although his track record includes a huge number of other television and film credits. This charismatic Irish-American actor is the recipient of many prestigious awards.

Biography

Terry O'Quinn was born on 1952-15-07 in the small town of Newberry (USA, Michigan). He had 11 brothers. Despite the fact that his large family often experienced financial difficulties, at a very young age the boy became interested in music. He played percussion instruments in various orchestras, but his favorite was always the guitar. In order to get money for this musical instrument, he worked hard at the stable for six months. Terry O'Quinn was able to learn how to play the guitar without the help of teachers from the usual self-instruction book he ordered in the mail.

After high school, Terry attended the University of Michigan at Mt. Pleasant and the University of Iowa at Lova. As a student, he often worked as a singer and guitarist in restaurants and nightclubs. It was rumored that the "great and terrible" Ozzy Osbourne, who heard Terry in one of these places, once appreciated his game.

Career start

Besides music, the future TV star has always been fascinated by acting. Terry O'Quinn, whose films did not bring him worldwide fame for a long time, made his film debut in 1970, when he received roles in two low-budget films at once (Tombstone, Racketeer). For several years he appeared on the screens in small episodes, which in no way contributed to his success. In 1978, the aspiring actor moved to Los Angeles, where he devoted himself entirely to his career. In order not to be confused with another famous artist Terry Queen, he supplemented his last name with the prefix "O".

Terry O'Quinn Filmography

For several years, the aspiring actor starred in films that did not bring him the desired fame. He starred in such films: "The Gates of Heaven" (1980), "All the Right Moves" (1983), "Places in the Heart" (1984), "Silver Bullet", "Mischief", "Early Frost "(1985), "Picnic in Space", "Between Women" (1986).

Terry's real fame was brought by the role of a serial killer in the psychological drama "Stepfather" (1987). His soulful game was noted by both the audience and critics. It was this film that became a turning point in his film career. After him on Terry O'QuinnOffers from various directors rained down. Until 2003, he managed to star in more than two dozen films, the most popular of which are: "The Young Avengers" (1988), "Stepfather-2", "Forgotten", "Blind Fury" (1989), " Blood Oath (1990), Son of the Morning Star, Rocketeer (1991), Tombstone (1993), Techno Sapiens (1994), Primal Fear (1996).), "Legend of the Hometown" (2002), "Old School", "Phenomenon-2" (2003). In the tape "Stepfather-2" Terry O'Quinn again showed his inexhaustible dramatic talent. His special black humor and pretty smile were simply inimitable. His work was noted not only by the audience, but also by venerable film critics.

Not forgetting about his film career, Terry O'Quinn managed to act in popular television series. Most of his roles on television were episodic, but since 1995 he began to offer more and more interesting work. So, he starred in Earth-2 (1995), Military Legal Service (1995-2005), Diagnosis: Murder (1996), Millennium (1996-1999 gg.), "Cruel Kingdom" (1999), "Spy" (2002-2003), "The West Wing" (2003-2004), "NCIS: Special Department" (2004), " Hawaii 5-0 (2011), Falling Skies, 666 Parke Avenue (2012), Crime Liaisons (2014). Terry O'Quinn has appeared in several television shows, the most famous being The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and Miami Vice: Vice.

Special mention deserves the cult series Stay inalive”(2004-2010), which brought the actor worldwide fame. He got his part of John Locke without an audition, but he played this complex character simply incomparably. Terry O'Quinn, whose filmography includes more than a hundred film and television credits, does not stop there. He continues to actively act in various series, but so far he does not have enough time for feature films.

Private life

Through a small role in Heaven's Gate, Terry met his future wife. According to the plot of the film, his hero had to skillfully handle horses, so he had to take riding lessons from an instructor named Lori, whose family owned a small ranch. A warm relationship quickly developed between the young people. In November 1979 they got married. Soon the young couple had 2 sons: Oliver and Hunter. The actor has a granddaughter.

Awards

Terry O'Quinn has several prestigious awards in his piggy bank. In 2005, he received the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television. For his role in the TV series "Lost" in 2007, Terry O'Quinn was awarded the main US television award - "Emmy" (nomination "Best Supporting Actor"). In 2006, he received the prestigious Screen Actors Guild Awards (Best Ensemble).

Interesting facts

The actor's fans want to know everything about Terry O'Quinn, so they will be interested in some facts from his life. The image of the "skinhead macho" is largely due to the fact that, due to their physiologicalfeatures the actor began to lose hair from the age of 20.

During his career, Terry managed to try his hand at directing and writing. He wrote the script and staged the musical "Orchestra". Terry always tries to get used to the image as much as possible. So, for a more complete reliability of his role in the television series Lost, the actor learned to handle knives professionally for a long time. Since his character John Locke was one of the most mysterious characters, the actor even refused to meet his work colleagues at parties they threw in their spare time.

Terry O'Quinn has a long friendship with producers Chris Carter (The X-Files) and J. J. Abrams ("Lost"). The actor starred in several episodes of the cult series about FBI special agents Scully and Mulder.

After filming Lost, O'Quinn bought a house in Hawaii, where he moved with his family. The actor loves dogs. His Irish Terrier pet is named Reggie.