David Strathairn

Moviegoers leaving the theater after seeing "Good Night, And Good Luck" are likely to hear two comments over and over: "That David Strathairn was great as Edward R. Murrow!" and, "Who is David Strathairn?" The man who portrays the legendary CBS newsman with such eerie precision is, in fact, a highly respected if little-recognized actor with a long list of stage and screen credentials.

Born in San Francisco in 1949, David Strathairn made his screen debut in 1980 in "Return Of The Secaucus Seven," a cult hit by director John Sayles about a reunion of college friends. That's exactly what the movie was: Strathairn and Sayles met at Williams College. "Secaucus Seven" was the first of many movie collaborations between the two. Strathairn is seen here at a poetry event in New York on April 22, 2002.

'Good Night' Again — GETTY IMAGES/Amanda Edwards

In his 20s, Strathairn traveled the country, appearing in local theatrical productions. He also trained at Ringling Brothers Clown College and worked for six months as a circus clown. Here, he is clowning with George Clooney at a question-and-answer session about "Good Night, And Good Luck" staged by Variety magazine in December 2005 for its Variety Screening Series.

Since his debut, Strathairn has appeared in 70 movies, winning critical respect but little fame. Movie fans may recall him in "Silkwood" in 1983; "A League Of Their Own" in 1992, and "Losing Isaiah" in 1995. He was the sleazy millionaire in "L.A. Confidential" and an alien bounty hunter in "The Brother From Another Planet." Here, he listens to George Clooney at a People for the American Way event in September 2005.

Strathairn also has appeared on stage on and off-Broadway. He has won five Independent Spirit Awards for his work in prestigious if not blockbuster productions. But even he must have been startled by the response to "Good Night, And Good Luck." Here, he and screenwriter Grant Heslov, left, and director/actor/co-writer George Clooney attend the movie's premiere at the New York Film Festival in September 2005.

Strathairn has been nominated as 2005 best actor by the following: the New York Stage and Film Awards; the Independent Spirit Awards; the Screen Actors Guild; Online Film Critics; Golden Globes; Chicago Film Critics; Los Angeles Film Critics (best ensemble); Womens Film Critics' Circle; National Board of Reviews Award, and the Venice Film Festival. Here he is in Venice in September 2005.

Strathairn's nomination for an Academy Award is one of four major Oscar nods for the movie; it also received nominations for best picture, best director, and best original screenplay. Attending the movie's opening at the New York Film Festival in September 2005 were, from left, actress Alex Borstein, Strathairn, actress Patricia Clarkson, co-writer Heslov, actor Frank Langella, singer Dianne Reeves and Clooney.

At the age of 57, David Strathairn has become a major movie star. The perks include riding around Venice in a water taxi with co-star Patricia Clarkson and actor-director George Clooney (seen pulling the driver's ears). They were there for the Venice Film Festival in September 2005.

Of course, making it in Hollywood also means you get to drink out of very elegant cups. Here, Strathairn clowns around with his Coppa Volpi Award for best actor for "Good Night, And Good Luck" at the 62nd Venice Film Festival on Sept. 10, 2005.

In Hollywood, famous actors often appear in twos. Here, David Strathairn and Frank Langella participate in a question-and-answer session at the Variety Screening Series of "Good Night, And Good Luck" on Dec. 12, 2005, in Hollywood. Langella played CBS founder William O. Paley in the movie.

Collecting award nominations means you have to get dressed up a lot. Here, director George Clooney, actress Patricia Clarkson and actor David Strathairn pose in the press room during the 58th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Jan. 28, 2006, in Los Angeles, California.

But the best thing about making it in Hollywood is that you get to have dinner with George Clooney. David Strathairn and the actor-director were in the audience for the 2006 Producers Guild awards at the Universal Hilton on Jan. 22, 2006, in Universal City, California.