Jon Favreau Biography

At 22, Jon Favreau quit his job on Wall Street, bought a motorcycle and set out to travel cross-country. He got sidetracked in Chicago when he stopped to see an improv-obsessed friend and thought he'd give improv a go himself. He decided to get into the acting biz after seeing Chris Farley perform with the Second City troupe in Chicago and after landing a commercial, he joined SAG. He took a number of bit parts but found a solid starring role elusive; meanwhile, his new Hollywood lifestyle inspired him to write his own script. In two weeks, he cranked out Swingers and sold it for $250,000 to director Doug Liman, who cast Favreau and pal Vince Vaughn in the lead roles. The film became an indie hit and made both guys instant stars. Now, Favreau considers himself a "director who acts," having found more success behind the camera than in front of it (Made, Elf, Zathura). He even snagged the fanboy fave Iron Man.


1. He turned down six-figure offers from producers who wanted to cast "name" actors in Swingers.
2. As a heavyset aspiring actor, he dropped 75 pounds and lifted weights when no good roles came his way.
3. He had a recurring role on Friends as Courteney Cox's boyfriend.
4. He cites Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Buster Keaton and Mel Brooks as influences.
5. He taught improv classes in Chicago.


"I think when the public reads about celebrities reacting to being famous, I think they're reacting to being stalked more than being appreciated. People don't make that differentiation enough. But there is nobody I know that doesn't love being appreciated by the public." — The Onion, Mar. 7, 2006


Wife: Joya Tillem, married Nov. 24, 2000
Son: Max, born Jul. 25, 2001
Daughter: Madelaine, born Apr. 2003


Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show - (2008) - Actor
Iron Man - (2008) - Director, Executive Producer
Open Season - (2006) - Voice
The Break-Up - (2006) - Actor
Zathura - (2005) - Director
View all films


http://www.jon-favreau.net/
http://www.myspace.com/jonfavreau