American actor and director Jon Cryer is best known for his roles in the television series Two and a Half Men and the film Pretty in Pink. Both of his parents were involved in the entertainment industry, so it was only natural that he pursue a career in acting. His first acting role was in the Broadway play ‘Torch Song Trilogy,’ and he went on to perform a few minor roles in films and television serials before his breakthrough role in the romantic comedy film ‘Pretty Pink.’ The film he wrote and produced, ‘Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five,’ was shown at the Los Angeles Film Festival. It took him a while to establish himself as an actor, as his first films and television series were not particularly successful. Two Emmy awards were bestowed upon him for his role in the television series ‘Two and a Half Men,’ and his fortunes began to improve.
Youth and Early Life
Jonathan Niven Cryer was born in New York City, New York, on April 16, 1965, to David and Gretchen Cryer. His mother is a playwright, lyricist, and actress, and his father is a veteran stage, television, and cinema actor and singer. His two sisters are named Robin and Shelly. His European ancestry is blended. As his parents were in the entertainment industry, it was inevitable for him to develop an interest in acting. While in junior high, he began his career as a juvenile model and performer.
In 1983, he graduated from Bronx High School of Science and decided to pursue an acting career. During his summer vacations, he received training in performing arts at Stagedoor Manor before enrolling in a brief course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, United Kingdom. His first Broadway performance was in the play ‘Torch Song Trilogy.’ At the age of 19, he played the main role of Charles Cummings in the romantic comedy film No Small Affair.
A profession of Jon
Before his breakthrough portrayal as ‘Duckie’ in the 1986 romantic comedy film ‘Pretty Pink,’ Cryer appeared in a handful of minor films and television series. The film was a huge hit, and he became an adolescent sensation. In the same year, he also made his television debut as ‘Phil’ in ‘Amazing Stories,’ a science fiction horror fantasy. In the sitcoms ‘The Famous Teddy Z’ and ‘Partners,’ he played the main role from 1989 to 1990 and 1995 to 1996, respectively. His performances were met with varied responses. During this time, he also appeared in several films, such as “Penn and Teller Get Killed,” “Hot Shots,” and “Cannes Man.”
He made his début as a screenwriter in the 1996 film ‘The Pompatus of Love’ and acted, wrote, and produced the 1998 film ‘Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five. The film was shown at the ‘Los Angeles Film Festival’ and received favorable reviews. From 1998 to 2003, he appeared in a number of unsuccessful television series until he was appointed as ‘Alan Harper’ in the 2003-2015 Emmy-nominated series ‘Two and a Half Men,’ for which he received seven nominations. For his performance in the television series, Jonathon Cryer won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
He continued to act in a number of films, including a cameo as ‘Alan Harper’ from the television series ‘Two and a Half Men’ in the 2010 comedy film ‘Due Date,’ written by Alan Philips and directed by Todd Philips. In 2016, he portrayed himself in the comedy series ‘Lady Dynamite’. He has made several guest appearances on television and portrayed himself in the 2016 comedy series ‘Lady Dynamite’. In 2018, he appeared in both the renowned television series ‘NCIS’ and the comedy series ‘Robot Chicken’.
Jon’s Major Opera
He has appeared in such films as “No Small Affair” (1984), “Pretty in Pink” (1986), “Hiding Out” (1987), “Hot Shots” (1991), “The Pompatus of Love” (1996), “Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five” (1998), “Stay Cool” (2009), “Ass Backwards” (2013), and “Hit by Lightning” (2014).
His television work includes ‘Amazing Stories’ (1986), ‘The Famous Teddy Z’ (1989 – 1990), ‘Partners’ (1995 – 1996), ‘Getting Personal’ (1998), ‘Mr. Show with Bob and David’ (1998), ‘The Trouble with Normal’ (2000 – 2001), ‘Two and a Half Men’ (2003 – 2015), ‘Hannah Montana’ (2010 – 2011), ‘Husbands’ (2012), ‘NCIS’ (2015 – 2016), and ‘Robot Chicken’ (2018).
Honors & Accomplishments
In 2009 and 2012, he received the “Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” and “Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series” for his work on “Two and a Half Men.” He obtained a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ in 2011.
Jon’s Personal Facts
From 1999 to 2004, he was married to British actress Sarah Trigger. Their son’s name is Charlie Austin. Later, the couple separated and went their separate ways. In 2007, he wed Lisa Joyner, an American entertainment reporter and television presenter. Daisy is the adopted daughter of the couple. In 2009, he was forced to assume temporary custody of his son after his ex-wife was prosecuted for criminal neglect.
Estimated Net Worth
Jon Cryer is an American film and television actor with a net worth of $70 million. Despite beginning his career in the 1980s, Cryer is arguably best known today for his role in the popular sitcom Two and a Half Men. Throughout his career, Cryer has appeared in a variety of films, television programs, and stage productions.
The trivial
In 2015, he published ‘So That Happened,’ a memoir of his 30-year career in the entertainment industry.
He is a member of the prominent weekly podcast ‘Undisclosed,’ which focuses on criminal justice, and has a strong interest in the field. He is frequently confused with Broadway actor Matthew Broderick, whom he understudied and supplanted in the play ‘Torch Song Trilogy.’