While he has enjoyed significant professional success, the actor has faced personal challenges, particularly in his complex relationships with his sister and daughter, both of whom are prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

A Star Is Born

Born on April 18, 1956, in Biloxi, Mississippi, the star began his acting journey far from the glitz of Hollywood — honing his craft in New York City theater, where he earned critical acclaim and a Theatre World Award for his performance on Broadway in “Burn This.”

From there, his ascent in the film industry was swift and impressive. By the late 1970s, he was already turning heads with a Golden Globe–nominated performance in “King of the Gypsies.”

Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, his cinematic presence only grew stronger. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his gripping role in “Runaway Train” (1985) and collected additional Golden Globe nods for that performance as well as for “Star 80” (1983).

His versatility shone through in a wide array of projects, from indie classics like “La Cucaracha,” which earned him Best Actor honors at the New York Independent Film Festival, to mainstream hits such as “The Specialist” (1994) and “Final Analysis” (1992).

This actor didn’t slow down in the decades that followed. He received recognition at Sundance for his roles in “It’s My Party” (1996) and “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” (2006), and appeared in blockbuster films like “The Dark Knight” (2008), “The Expendables” (2010), and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Inherent Vice” (2014).

His credits also include “Lovelace” (2013), adding to an already diverse portfolio. Beyond the silver screen, he built a formidable presence on television.

With recurring roles on hit shows such as “Heroes,” “Suits,” “CSI,” “Code Black,” and “Crash,” as well as guest appearances on “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Will & Grace,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Entourage,” his adaptability as a performer remained evident.

Still actively working, he continues to take on roles in both major and independent productions. Among his more recent projects are “Head Full of Honey,” where he played a doctor opposite Matt Dillon, and “Hard Luck Love Song,” in which he portrayed a wise, grizzled doorman.

He’s also appeared in “La Reina del Sur” as a DEA boss — a fitting role for a career that has never shied away from complexity or charisma.

A Father’s Shattering Regret: ‘I Had Abandoned Kelly When Emma Was Just Seven Months Old’

But behind the steady rhythm of film sets and red carpets, the actor’s personal life has long carried a quieter ache — one that centers around his actress daughter.

In the past, he has spoken candidly about his regrets as a father. Reflecting on one of the most painful chapters of his life, he revealed, “I had abandoned Kelly when Emma was just seven months old.”

The admission was stark and deeply human — a recognition of choices that would come to define the distance between him and his daughter for decades. For the actress, the separation from her father left an imprint she seldom discusses publicly.

In a 2022 interview with Tatler, the “American Horror Story” star reflected on her upbringing, which saw her parents separate when she was still a baby. Speaking about her mother with warmth, the star shared, “She’s pretty much been with me non-stop since Rhodes was born,” referring to her own son.