Greg Kinnear is a dynamic and gifted actor who has had a successful career in both TV and film, having first rose to prominence in As Good as It Gets. His riveting performance opposite Jack Nicholson in the Oscar-winning romantic dramedy has been lauded as one of the best films of all time and helped pave the way for Kinnear’s illustrious tenure in Hollywood.
From starring in heartwarming films like Little Miss Sunshine to portraying real-life figures like Bob Crane and President Joe Biden in Auto Focus and Confirmation, Kinnear has showcased his impressive acting prowess over and over again. He memorably embraced his villainous side when he joined the final season of House of Cards, and his most recent role was as the shady activist shareholder Tom Lockwood in the smash hit Netflix series You. Let’s dive in and check out some of Greg Kinnear’s best performances.
10 The Stand
In the 2020 post-apocalyptic fantasy miniseries The Stand, a lethal and catastrophic pandemic spreads across the world and eliminates nearly all of its population, as a divine struggle between good and evil ensues between Mother Abagail Freemantle (Whoopi Goldberg) and her fellow survivors and the evil Dark Man Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård).
Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, the show features Greg Kinnear as sociology professor Glen Bateman, who receives dreams of Mother Abagail and embarks on a quest with other survivors to meet the nefarious Flagg. The Stand garnered a mixed response from critics, with many feeling the A-list cast's talents were wasted on an uneven storyline and execution.
9 We Were Soldiers
Adapted from the gripping non-fiction book of the same name, the 2002 war drama We Were Soldiers stars Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore as he leads his courageous men into the Battle of Ia Drang, one of the first major showdowns between the United States and Vietnam forces in 1965 during the controversial Vietnam War. Kinnear appears as Major Bruce Crandall in the riveting picture, who valiantly served alongside his fellow soldiers in the bloody battle that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army as well as countless courageous American men.
We Were Soldiers was lauded for its poignant storytelling and for depicting the brutal conflict from both perspectives, with its realistic and intense combat scenes and compelling performances being singled out. It went on to be a box office hit, earning over $115 million at the box office.
8 Auto Focus
Chronicling the life and legacy of Hollywood actor and Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane, the 2002 biographical drama Auto Focus stars Kinnear as the TV great, who became addicted to pornography and sex after the conclusion of the hit show and who was tragically bludgeoned to death in a motel room in 1978. Featuring the additional talents of Willem Dafoe, Rita Wilson, and Maria Bello, the engaging picture depicts the bizarre friendship between video equipment salesman John Henry Carpenter and Crane, with the electronics expert ultimately being accused of the actor's grisly murder.
Auto Focus had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it earned rave reviews for its detailed examination of Crane's shocking death as well as its brilliant blend of humor and tragedy. Kinnear's dynamic performance was lauded for its complexity and emotional weight that left both audiences and critics impressed.
7 Confirmation
Kerry Washington delivered a powerhouse performance as lawyer and educator Anita Hill in the 2016 television political thriller Confirmation, which follows the courageous law professor as she testifies against Judge Clarence Thomas (Wendell Pierce) and claims that he sexually harassed her at the jurist's Supreme Court nomination hearings in 1991. Kinner portrays President Joe Biden, who was present during the hearings and a prominent member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and questioned both Thomas and Hill about the alleged harassment.
Kinnear opened up to IndieWire about portraying the real-life political figure in the lauded picture, stating in 2016, "...Joe Biden is a [laughs] fairly front and center politician — for, what, 44 years of his life — leading to the culmination of a vice presidency, which he’s had for eight years. You have a man here whose DNA and public fingerprint is fairly well-known to the general populus. So I felt daunted by that, because I was playing him!"
6 House of Cards
In 2018, Kinnear superbly took on the villainous recurring role of ruthless billionaire Bill Shepherd in the smash hit Netflix political thriller series House of Cards, with the devious character and Shepherd Unlimited co-head going to war with Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), the President of the United States in the enthralling show. Kinnear shed his usual charisma and likability to embody the domineering businessman, who attempts to bully and strong-arm Underwood into doing what he wants no matter the cost.
The final season of the popular program showcased the intense power struggle between Underwood and the Shepherd siblings, with Diane Lane appearing as Bill's sister Annette. Their performances and character additions helped the Netflix original go out with a bang, with the concluding season earning two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. The talented actors' portrayals helped offset the absence of Kevin Spacey, who was fired from the series following allegations of sexual misconduct.
5 You've Got Mail
Hands down one of the most beloved romantic comedies of not only the 1990s but of all time, 1998's You've Got Mail once again partners up dynamic cinema duo Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, telling the story of New York City residents Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly. The two end up connecting and falling in love online despite the pair being bitter professional rivals in real life. Kathleen owns a struggling independent bookstore and finds her livelihood targeted by Fox, who runs a successful chain of mega bookstores that are threatening to put the determined owner out of business.
Greg Kinnear portrays Kathleen's liberal and anxious newspaper writer boyfriend Frank Navasky, while Parker Posey appeared as Joe's tightly-wound book editor partner, both of whom were absolutely wrong for their respective significant others. You've Got Mail was a knockout with both critics and audiences alike, earning an A- CinemaScore while grossing over $250 million at the box office and once again proving the power of the Hanks/Ryan collaboration.
4 Nurse Betty
Renée Zellweger was downright delightful when she starred as the eponymous character in the 2000 black comedy Nurse Betty, which takes place in the small town of Fair Oaks, Kansas, and centers on diner waitress Betty Sizemore as she experiences a harrowing nervous breakdown after witnessing the brutal murder of her drug-dealing husband. To cope with the profound loss of her spouse, the traumatized Betty finds herself fixated and obsessed with her cherished soap opera character (Greg Kinnear) and enters a fugue state.
Nurse Betty premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the award for Best Screenplay, amassing widespread critical acclaim for not only Zellweger's scene-stealing portrayal but also those of its supporting cast members including Kinnear and Morgan Freeman. Roger Ebert praised the complex film for its emotional depth, proclaiming, "Nurse Betty is one of those films where you don't know whether to laugh or cringe, and find yourself doing both."
3 Shining Vale
Friends alum Courteney Cox appears alongside Greg Kinnear in the 2022 Starz comedy horror series Shining Vale,which follows married couple Pat and Terry Phelps as they relocate from the big city to a small, remote town after the novelist cheats on her husband, and they set out with their two teenage children for a fresh start. Immediately after moving into their new home where terrible crimes have been committed, Pat begins to question her sanity as she wonders what evil is still dwelling within the walls, resulting in some wildly entertaining hijinks for the colorful clan.
Cox and Kinnear are stellar as the at-odds husband and wife, demonstrating both their comedic talents and dramatic acting chops in the lively horror-themed comedy. When discussing the style and both supernatural and mental health elements of the series, Kinnear told Entertainment Weekly, "A screwball comedy version of this show was not interesting to me. Being funny is great, but keeping it grounded and real was paramount, I think, to everybody." A second season of the compelling program is currently in the works.
2 Little Miss Sunshine
With a dynamic ensemble cast led by Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, and Alan Arkin, the 2006 tragicomedy road film Little Miss Sunshine showcases the immense efforts of the highly-dysfunctional Hoover family, The family embarks on a thrilling journey from New Mexico to California to support their youngest daughter (Abigail Breslin) in a prestigious child beauty pageant, doing so in their bright yellow VW bus. Kinnear portrays Hoover patriarch Richard, an aspiring motivational speaker who along with his determined wife Sheryl encourages their little girl to follow her dreams.
Little Miss Sunshine premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it garnered universal acclaim for its endearing characters and heartwarming story. It went on to win two Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature. The uplifting picture remains one of the best releases of the 2000s and is an ultimate comfort film that celebrates the power of family and love.
1 As Good as It Gets
Greg Kinnear skyrocketed to prominence when he shared the screen with Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson in the 1997 romantic dramedy As Good as It Gets, which focuses on the cynical OCD novelist Melvin Udall as he establishes an unlikely friendship with his gay next-door neighbor and talented artist Simon Bishop (Kinnear) and the kind-hearted waitress and single mother Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt). Despite his negative attitude and misanthropic demeanor, Melvin finds his heart softening as he spends more time with the diverse pair.
Kinnear earned an Academy Award nomination for his career-making role as the hard-working artist who is brutally assaulted and robbed after hiring a male model to pose for him. His character faces immense emotional turmoil and finds a surprising support system in Melvin and Carol, with the trio's chemistry endearing audiences all across the world. As Good as It Gets won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and both Nicholson and Hunt walked away with Oscars for their memorable performances.
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