John Cusack is, like most of his characters, an unconventional hero. Wary of fame and repelled by formulaic Hollywood fare, the Chicago-born actor has built a successful career playing underdogs and odd men out--all the while avoiding the media spotlight. With the exception of mom Nancy (a former math teacher), the Cusack clan is all show business: father Dick Cusack is an actor and filmmaker, and John's siblings Joan Cusack, Ann Cusack, Bill Cusack and Susie Cusack are all thespians by trade. Like his brot - www.imdb.com

Actor. Born in Evanston, Illinois, on June 28, 1966. The fourth of five children, including actress Joan Cusack, born to a math-teacher mother and a filmmaker-actor father. Cusack joined the Piven Theatre Workshop at the age of 8 and had become one of Chicago's busiest commercial voiceover actors by the age of 12.In 1983, Cusack made his first feature film appearance in the teen comedy Class. His quirky, self-effacing humor earned him roles in numerous films throughout the eighties, including Sixteen Candle - www.biography.com

John Cusack proved himself to be a reliable and unconventional leading man in films like The Grifters (1990), Being John Malkovich (1999, also starring Cameron Diaz) and High Fidelity (2000, with Jack Black). In the 1980s he was an earnest and gawky Lothario in teen films like The Sure Thing (1985), One Crazy Summer (1986) and Say Anything (1989). In the 1990s he grew into a smart and ironic star, able to play charming and good-hearted as well as callous. Offscreen he became known for his shrewd career choi - www.answers.com