Biography
Actor, writer and director Jon Favreau hit unlikely pay dirt when "Swingers" (1996), his low-budget, autobiographical indie about struggling young actors, turned he and co-star/real-life best friend Vince Vaughn into hot property, seemingly overnight. Favreau parlayed his rising profile into a number of supporting big screen roles as cynical side men, but he was more anxious to get behind the camera and direct bigger features. After another …
Jon Favreau SlideShow
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Career Milestones
| Appeared in dinner theaters in Chicago | ||
| Born and raised in Queens, NY | ||
| Refused six figure offer for "Swingers" because they wanted to cast 'name' actors | ||
| Sold "Swingers" screen rights to director Doug Liman with provision that he and Vince Vaughn play leading roles | ||
| Wrote script for "Swingers" on computer software given to him by his father | ||
1986 | Dropped out of Queens College; worked briefly as a maintenance worker | |
1987 | Embarked on a cross-country trip; ended in Chicago and joined Improv Olympics | |
1992 | Made feature debut in bit role as a cab driver in "Folks!" | |
1993 | First supporting role, "Rudy"; first feature with Vince Vaughn | |
1996 | Announced deal with Miramax to script, direct and star (with Vaughn) in Western "The Marshal of Revelation" | |
1996 | First produced screenplay, "Swingers"; also co-starred with Vaughn | |
1996 | Signed deal to write screenplay for "The Bachelor's Secret Handbook" | |
1997 | Played recurring role of wealthy Pete Becker, a romantic interest of Monica's (Courteney Cox) on NBC's "Friends" | |
1999 | Portrayed boxer "Rocky Marciano" in Showtime biopic | |
2000 | Appeared in football comedy "The Replacements" opposite Keanu Reeves | |
2000 | Co-starred with Famke Janssen in romantic comedy "Love & Sex"; screened at Sundance Film Festival | |
2001 | Hosted and executive produced IFC special "Dinner for Five"; picked up as a series in 2002 | |
2001 | Re-teamed with Janssen and Vaughn to star and direct comedy-drama "Made" | |
2003 | Played Ben Affleck's law partner in comic book superhero film "Daredevil" | |
2003 | Starred as an actor faced with a stalled career in "The Big Empty" | |
2004 | Played a sports agent opposite Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany in "Wimbledon" | |
2005 | Directed "Jumanji" sequel "Zathura," based on book by Chris Van Allsburg | |
2006 | Teamed with Vaughn to co-star in comedy "The Break-Up" | |
2006 | Voiced Reilly the Beaver in animated comedy "Open Season" | |
2008 | Produced and directed big screen adaptation of Marvel Comics' "Iron Man"; also had small role as Happy Hogan, Tony Stark's bodyguard and chauffeur | |
2009 | Co-starred with Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, and Kristin Davis in ensemble comedy "Couples Retreat" | |
2010 | Returned to direct summer blockbuster "Iron Man 2"; also executive produced and reprised role of Stark's bodyguard | |
2011 | Directed Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford in sci-fi Western mash-up "Cowboys & Aliens" | |
2012 | Executive produced superhero ensemble "The Avengers" and NBC series "Revolution" | |
2013 | Cast opposite Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy in "Identity Thief" | |
Awards
2005 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Series in Dinner For Five |