Richard Dreyfuss Biography

During this time, Dreyfuss started getting a few acting jobs on network television series. He had his first film role in 1967's 'The Graduate', but did not get his first big break until he played Baby Face Nelson, in the bloody biopic 'Dillinger' in 1973. A memorable leading role in George Lucas' 'American Graffiti' earned Dreyfuss critical acclaim.

In 1975, the actor's career exploded, when he starred as an arrogant shark expert, in Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws'. He worked for Spielberg again two years later, in 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'. Further success followed that same year with romantic comedy, 'The Goodbye Girl'. His performance won him an Oscar, making him, at the age of twenty nine, the youngest performer ever to receive the Best Actor honour.

Unfortunately, none of Dreyfuss' following films were successful, and matters were worsened by his reported drug use and Hollywood party antics; in 1982, he was involved in a car accident and arrested for possession of cocaine.

Dreyfuss recovered, and after appearing in the rarely seen 'Buddy System', made a big comeback in Paul Mazursky's hit comedy, 'Down and Out in Beverly Hills' (1986). He went on to appear in numerous films of varying quality. Highlights included 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead', and 'Postcards From the Edge' (1990).

In 1996, Dreyfuss played one of his finest roles, as a high school music teacher, in 'Mr. Holland's Opus'. The role earned Dreyfuss another Oscar nomination.