Giovanni Ribisi

Photo of Giovanni Ribisi

Biography

Known for his quirky characterizations, actor Giovanni Ribisi amassed an impressive list of credits early in his career. After building a solid reputation with guest spots on various popular series, Ribisi first made an impact with his portrayal of the bizarre yet lovable Frank, Jr. in several episodes of the hit sitcom "Friends" (NBC, 1994-2004). Supporting work in director Tom Hanks' dramedy "That Thing You Do!" (1996) and the lead role in …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer

Born

Antonino Giovanni Ribisi on December 17, 1974 in Los Angeles, California, USA

Career Milestones

2013

Cast alongside Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling in crime drama "Gangster Squad"

2012

Reteamed with Mark Wahlberg in the comedy "Ted," directed by Seth MacFarlane

2012

Played a ruthless drug boss in "Contraband" opposite Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale

2011

Acted opposite Johnny Depp in "The Rum Diary," the big screen adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's novel

2010

Cast opposite Luke Wilson in the crime film "Middle Men"

2009

Cast in James Cameron's 3-D science fiction epic film "Avatar"

2009

Co-starred in Michael Mann's adaptation of Bryan Burrough's non-fiction book "Public Enemies"

2007

Co-starred as an IT wiz and hacker in the thriller "Perfect Stranger"

2006

Received and Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor for his recurring role as Ralph Mariano, a lifelong friend of Earl's on the NBC comedy, "My Name is Earl"

2006

Starred in "10th and Wolf," an indie film based on a story by Bobby Moresco and Chazz Palminteri

2005

Played an ambitious insurance agent opposite Robin Williams and Holly Hunter in the dark comedy "The Big White"

2004

Starred opposite Dennis Quaid in the remake of the 1965 film "The Flight of the Phoenix"

2004

Cast as Dex Dearborn opposite Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow in "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow"

2003

Seen in Anthony Minghella's war epic "Cold Mountain"

2003

Had a small role in Sofia Coppola's "Lost In Translation"

2002

Re-teamed with Cate Blanchett in "Heaven," the English-language directorial debut of Tom Tykwer

2001

Portrayed journalist Mikal Gilmore, the brother of killer Gary Gilmore in the HBO drama "Shot in the Heart"

2000

Cast as a troubled young man who seeks guidance from a local psychic (Cate Blanchett) in "The Gift"

2000

Portrayed Nicolas Cage's brother in the remake of "Gone in 60 Seconds"

2000

Had leading role in "Boiler Room"

1999

Co-starred with Omar Epps and Claire Danes in the screen version of the 1960s TV show "The Mod Squad"

1999

Narrated Sofia Coppola's debut feature, "The Virgin Suicides"

1999

Starred opposite Juliette Lewis as half of a mentally challenged couple fighting to get married in the drama "The Other Sister"

1998

Cast as in Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan"

1998

Made cameo appearance in "Some Girls"; written by and co-starring his twin sister Marisa

1998

Appeared opposite Natasha Gregson Wagner as a young couple in the throes of a teen romance in "First Love, Last Rites"

1997

Played a supporting role in Kevin Costner's "The Postman"

1997

Starred as Jeff, one of the slackers who hang out in the parking lot of a mini-mart in "subUrbia"

1996

Played the band's drummer who is replaced after an accident in "That Thing You Do!"; directed by Tom Hanks

1995

Played the recurring role of Frank Junior, the goofy half-brother of Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe on the hit NBC sitcom "Friends"

1995

Had a memorable guest spot on "Chicago Hope" (CBS) as a skinhead in need of a heart transplant faced with an organ donation from another race

1993

Starred on the short-lived CBS sitcom "Family Album"

1992

Had recurring role on the "The Wonder Years" (ABC)

1991

Was a regular on the series "Davis Rules" (ABC)

1988

TV-movie debut, "Promised a Miracle" (CBS)

1987

First recurring role on TV, "My Two Dads" (NBC)

1985

Early TV credit was a two-part episode of "Highway to Heaven" (NBC)

Awards

2007

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor In a Comedy Series in My Name is Earl

2001

Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male in The Gift

1999

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Saving Private Ryan