Timothy Olyphant

Biography

Timothy David Olyphant was born on May 20, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to parents J. V. Olyphant and Kathleen Olyphant. His father was a real estate developer, and his mother was a teacher. Olyphant grew up in Modesto, California, where he attended the University of Southern California (USC), graduating with a degree in English literature. He was also an athlete in his younger years, playing basketball and participating in various sports.

While attending USC, Olyphant developed an interest in acting and decided to pursue an entertainment career. He eventually moved to New York City to study at the renowned Juilliard School, where he honed his acting skills before transitioning into professional work.

Breakthrough Role and Early Career

Olyphant's career began on the stage, where he appeared in several theatrical productions. He made his Broadway debut in 1995 in the play The Monogamist. However, his transition to screen acting began shortly after, landing him supporting roles in television series such as Mr. & Mrs. Smith and The First Wives Club. His early career saw him appear in various TV shows and films, but it was in the late 1990s and early 2000s that Olyphant began to gain wider recognition.

In 1997, Olyphant's breakout film role came with Scream 2, where he played Mickey Altieri, a pivotal character in the slasher film franchise. This role solidified his status as a rising star in Hollywood. He followed this success with supporting roles in Go (1999) and The Girl Next Door (2004), both of which showcased his versatility as an actor.

Rise to Prominence

Olyphant’s true rise to fame came with his role as the charming and deadly antagonist, "Agent 47," in the 2007 action film Hitman. Based on the video game series of the same name, Olyphant's portrayal of the cold-blooded assassin earned him recognition as an action star. His success continued in films like Live Free or Die Hard (2007), where he played the villain, Thomas Gabriel, in the fourth Die Hard installment. Olyphant's ability to bring a sense of danger and intensity to his characters was widely praised.

However, it was his television role that truly catapulted him into the mainstream. In 2007, Olyphant starred as Raylan Givens in the critically acclaimed FX series Justified, a role that would define his career. Based on Elmore Leonard's writings, Olyphant’s portrayal of the U.S. Marshal in the rural Kentucky backwoods earned him widespread acclaim, with his performance described as both charismatic and tough. He won a Critics' Choice Award and was nominated for several others, including Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations.

Justified ran for six seasons, from 2010 to 2015, during which time Olyphant became synonymous with the character of Raylan Givens. His portrayal of a morally complex, no-nonsense lawman showcased his range and solidified his place in television history.

Other Notable Works

Beyond Justified, Olyphant has appeared in a variety of notable films and TV shows. He starred in the film The Crazies (2010), a remake of the 1973 horror-thriller about a small town overtaken by a virus. He also appeared in A Perfect Getaway (2009) and The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000), both of which showcased his ability to work across genres.

Olyphant’s comedic talents were also put to use in the 2011 film I Am Number Four, and in TV series like The Mindy Project, where he had a recurring role as a love interest for Mindy Lahiri. His comedic timing and laid-back charm proved to be a hit with audiences.

In addition, Olyphant’s voice work has appeared in projects like the video game Star Wars: Battlefront II (2017), where he voiced the character of the rogue sniper.