Kevin Delaney Kline (born October 24, 1947) is an American actor whose career spans stage, film, television and voice acting. He is widely admired for a combination of classical stage technique and distinctive comic timing that has allowed him to move between Shakespearean and musical theatre roles on Broadway and nuanced comic and dramatic parts on screen. Kline's versatility is reflected in his awards and nominations across theatre, film and television.
Stage roots and training
Kline established his reputation in theatre, where his training and early stage work shaped his craft. He gained recognition on Broadway and in regional companies, performing in musicals, straight plays and classical texts. His stage presence and musical ability have contributed to multiple major theatrical accolades; for summaries of his stage credits see stage work and biographies.
Film and screen career
On film Kline has combined comic gifts with dramatic depth. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as the volatile Otto West in A Fish Called Wanda. He is also known for playing dual or disguised roles, a recurring feature of his screen work: in Dave he portrayed both the U.S. President and his lookalike, and in Wild Wild West he played the inventive Artemus Gordon and an on-screen presidential disguise. His filmography includes comedies, period pieces and contemporary dramas, and his screen roles are detailed in film databases and profiles at film and television credits.
Television and voice work
Alongside stage and film, Kline has worked in television and animation, contributing guest appearances and voice performances. In recent years he has reached new audiences as the voice of a recurring character on a popular animated sitcom; see his animated credits at voice work on the sitcom. Television listings and credit summaries are available at television credits.
Awards and recognition
Kline's honors reflect a cross-medium career: he has received an Academy Award for film work and two Tony Awards for his Broadway performances. He has been nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA Awards and has received recognition from television awards bodies. Official nomination lists and award histories are available at sources covering the Golden Globes and the Emmy database, and his Academy Award record is noted at award records.
Acting style and legacy
Kline is frequently cited for avoiding typecasting, alternating between stage revivals, new theatrical productions, film roles and voice projects. Critics and commentators often highlight how his classical training enriches performances in popular entertainment, lending emotional depth to comedic roles and a lightness of touch to dramatic work. His career is often discussed as an example of sustained range and adaptability across media, and his continued activity in theatre and television keeps him visible to successive audiences.
For a fuller list of credits, interviews and production histories see general profiles, theatre archives and filmographies at stage sources and screen databases. Additional references to specific awards and nominations can be found via the links to the Academy records, the Golden Globe archive, the Emmy listings, and program pages for notable films such as Dave and Wild Wild West. Further information on his recent voice projects is available at animated series credits.