Terry O'Quinn

Biography for Terry O'Quinn

Terry O'quinn's career began in 1980 on American television in the telefilm "F.D.R.: The Last Year". The same year, he was part of the adventure of the Porte du Paradis, a cursed film by Michael Cimino. Despite this failure, the actor later appeared in the team spirit (with the beginner Tom Cruise), the seasons of the heart, Mrs Soffel and blue fear in 1985.

After having a time spent on television and appeared in series like "Remington Steele" or Clair de Lune, Terry O'quinn returned to the forehand thanks to "The Stepfather" in 1987. The success of the film augurs A new splendid period for the actor who plays in Young Guns, revenge blind and The Rocketeer, where he performs Howard Hughes.

In 1994, the actor made a decisive meeting: Chris Carter. So all crowded with the success of X-Files, the creator-scenarist engages him for an episode of his series. So a collaboration punctuated by the film adaptation of the series, The X Files, the film, and two regular roles in two others of Carter productions: Millennium and "Harsh Realm" begins.

In 2002, after playing in Jag, Terry O'quinn made a second crucial meeting: J.J. Abrams, who offered him the role of Kendall in alias. O'quinn then joined the White House of The West Wing for a dozen episodes, while also appearing in the credits of series like NCIS: Special Investigations or New York Special Unit.

In 2004, Abrams offered to explore new facets of his talent in Lost, the missing by playing the mysterious Locke.

Terry O'quinn is an American actor known for his role in the television series "Lost" in which he embodies the character of John Locke. He was born on July 15, 1952 in Michigan and grew up in Wisconsin. He studied English literature at the University of Eastern Michigan and then turned to the theater, making his debut in the early 1980s.

During his career, Terry O'quinn has played in many movies and television series, notably in "The Fifth Element", "The Rock", "Jag", "Millennium" and "The X-Files". He also won an Emmy Award in 2007 for his role in "Lost".

Apart from his acting career, Terry O'quinn is also known for his commitment to various causes, in particular in terms of environmental protection and the fight against HIV/AIDS. He is married and has three children.

Photos

Filmography

Trivia

• Was once a bodyguard
• Is good friends with 1013 Productions' Chris Carter, having appeared in most of his work: as a guest star in two episodes of "The X Files" (1993), a supporting role in The X Files (1998) and recurring roles on "Harsh Realm" (1999) and "Millennium" (1996/I).
• He was raised in Michigan.
• He elongated his last name to "O'Quinn" from his real name of "Quinn" to distinguish himself from another person named Terry Quinn already acting in films.
• He has been balding since his early 20s and has appeared with a partially or entirely shaved head in most of his films.
• Irish-American.
• Has been experienced in percussion since high school.
• Has had roles in both of J.J. Abrams' hit television series, "Alias" (2001) and "Lost" (2004).
• Not many know that he is a talented guitarist and singer. He is a particularly big Neil Young fan and can apparently do a dead-on impression of him.
• Although always friendly onset, he keeps private and mysterious habits apart from his younger "Lost" (2004) co-stars, who often get together for wild parties when not shooting. He keeps this enigmatic aura so they will regard him similarly to the way they regard his mysterious character Locke.
• He is one of the few cast members of "Lost" (2004) who did not have to audition, because his former collaborator (from "Alias" (2001)) J.J. Abrams thought of O'Quinn for the part of Locke before the actor was even offered it.
• Graduated from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
• He graduated from Central Michigan University.
• Has appeared in episodes of two different television series with the same name. Both "Millennium" (1996/I) and "Lost" (2004) have had episodes featuring O'Quinn called "Walkabout".
• In an episode of "Lost" (2004), his character Locke's parents were played by Kevin Tighe and Swoosie Kurtz, who are both only eight years O'Quinn's senior.
• Has an Irish Terrier named 'Reggie'
• Was the chief architect for the infamous "Locke" baseball field designed mostly in part for the Three Village Little League.
• Actually learned how to properly throw and handle knives for his role on Lost.

Quotes

"It looks like a camera on a stick." - when asked what the "monster" from "Lost" (2004) looks like.

"I so rarely turned down a role, that I can't say I have any regrets in that regard. There were many roles that I would rather not have done, but having a home and family requires that we sometimes do things we would rather not. I have done a few roles that I've never watched, and if I happen to be flicking through channels and one pops up, I quickly move on. It's hard enough to sustain some self confidence without being reminded of things we'd rather not revisit but, in the end, it comes with the territory."

"I don't think I could play a character that I couldn't relate to somehow. I'm not unfamiliar with frustration, anger, shame, helplessness and a load of other emotions that make up our psycho-soup. I try to focus on that frustration, that sense of unfairness, and multiply it."

"I've told the producers that I miss the old John Locke. I wish he hadn't found those damn buttons sometimes. But these ups and downs reflect everybody's. You can't always choose the way things go. That's life."

Family

• Spouse : Lori O Quinn' (1979 - present) 2 children
• Has 2 sons: Oliver O'Quinn (b. 1984) and Hunter O'Quinn (b. 1986).
• His brother, Thomas Anthony Quinn, is also an actor, who acts and teaches theatre in central Illinois.

Author of the card

• Creation date: 24/12/2007 by abdest