Ethan Suplee

Ethan Suplee

Active - 1995 - 2023  |   Born - May 25, 1976 in New York, New York, United States  |   Genres - Comedy, Drama, Western

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Biography by AllMovie

Born May 25th, 1976, Manhattan native Ethan Suplee began to realize his love for acting early in life through school plays and drama projects. Lacking a sense of direction after graduating from high school, Suplee was prompted by friend and fellow actor Giovanni Ribisi to attend acting classes; Suplee took his friend's advice. Frustrated at his teacher's lack of promotion and encouragement, Suplee dropped out after one year and soon landed his first major role, as a recurring character on the television sitcom Boy Meets World in 1994. After making his feature debut in Mallrats, Suplee stuck mainly to the big screen, with diverse roles in such films as Desert Blue and the controversial American History X (both 1998). Frequently appearing in later Kevin Smith efforts, as well as comedies like Road Trip (2000) and Evolution (2001), Suplee also appeared in the drama Blow (2001), and with Denzel Washington in both Remember the Titans (2000) and the emergency room hostage drama John Q. (2001). Suplee found success on the small screen on My Name is Earl (2005), when he took on the role of Lee's dimwitted friend. In 2009 Suplee appeared in the critically acclaimed drama Brothers, and later joined the cast of the USA Network's sitcom Wilfred in 2011.

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Factsheet

  • Has been friends with actor and frequent costar Jason Lee since childhood.
  • Was convinced to take acting classes at 16 by friend Giovanni Ribisi. Ribisi's mother was later Suplee's manager.
  • Career took off after he dropped out of an acting class when the teacher would not advance him to the next level; at 17, landed a part on the sitcom Boy Meets World.
  • Is married to Brandy Lewis, the sister of actress Juliette Lewis.