Jeff Goldblum's Life in Photos

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The actor is best known for his roles in 'Jurassic Park' and 'Independence Day' and plays the Wizard of Oz in the 2024 movie musical 'Wicked'

Jeff Goldblum has found a way in life.

The actor, best known for his charismatic performance as Dr. Ian Malcolm in the 1993 classic Jurassic Park, has built an impressive résumé over his 50 years in the industry. His filmography ranges from thrilling sci-fi films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers to quirky comedy dramas like The Grand Budapest Hotel. He's also established himself as a talented jazz musician, releasing three albums with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

See Goldblum's life in photos, from his earliest roles and Jurassic Park breakthrough to first-time fatherhood, jazz endeavors and Wicked.

Jeff Goldblum's Childhood

Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum was born on Oct. 22, 1952, in West Homestead, Pennsylvania, to Shirley and Harold Goldblum. He grew up with one sister, Pamela, and two brothers, Lee and Rick. 

He recalled to The Guardian that he dreamed of being an actor since attending the theater for the first time. Although his parents weren't performers, they encouraged him to pursue his passion for acting by sending him to theater camps.

When he was 17, he left Pennsylvania for New York City to study under the legendary acting instructor Sanford Meisner.

Jeff Goldblum's First Roles

He made his Broadway debut in 1971 in the ensemble of the Tony-winning play The Two Gentlemen of Verona. His first on-screen appearance came as a home invader in 1974's Death Wish. Goldblum later gained notoriety for his performance in the 1978 sci-fi horror Invasion of the Body Snatchers opposite Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams.  

He credited the film for helping him develop his signature line delivery, recalling a scene he did to Nerdist in 2018 where he stammered through a line.

"[Director Phil Kaufman] appreciated the way I had done that. It wasn't a big Goldblumism, but I thought, 'That's kind of… I sort of… I think I found something,' " he told the outlet.

Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis' Marriage

Goldblum, whose first marriage with Silverado costar Patricia Gaul was ending, hit it off with Geena Davis on the set of 1985's Transylvania 6-5000. The couple later starred in the acclaimed sci-fi horror The Fly and 1988's Earth Girls Are Easy. They married in 1987, but Davis filed for divorce from the actor in October 1980, and it was finalized the next year.

There's no bad blood between the former spouses. Davis looks back at their relationship fondly, telling PEOPLE in 2022 that it was "a magical chapter" in her life. The pair also reunited at the 2024 SAG Awards to present outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.

"The great Geena Davis, everybody," Goldblum said to introduce his ex-wife.

'90s Blockbuster Star

Perhaps his most memorable role came in 1993 as mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park. Due to the character's popularity, he became the main protagonist of the 1995 novel's sequel, The Lost World, and its film adaptation, The Lost World: Jurassic Park. 

"I'm the voice of wisdom and reason and insight and conscience in this movie," he described the character to Good Morning America in 1993. "I have a passionate idea that I gotta get off my chest about the scruples in science and the respect for nature and the way that science and the power of technology can be used without morality."

Goldblum found more success with the 1996 sci-fi action film Independence Day, playing MIT-educated engineer David Levinson.

Working with Wes Anderson

Goldblum and Wes Anderson have become frequent collaborators since the actor appeared in the award-winning director's 2004 film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He has had roles in Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) [pictured], Isle of Dogs (2018) and Asteroid City (2023). 

"I'm just crazy about him and everything he does and people that he surrounds himself with," Goldblum said of Anderson to PeopleTV in 2018. "Every moment with him is very special. He's very smart, kind and elegant and gracious."

Jeff Goldblum Marries Emilie Livingston

Goldblum began dating former Olympic rhythmic gymnast Emilie Livingston in 2011 after the pair met at the gym.

"I liked her right away," he recalled on Conan O'Brien's late-night talk show in 2017.

On Nov. 8, 2014, Goldblum married Emilie Livingston at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles after a three-month engagement.

Jeff Goldblum as a Dad

He became a first-time dad at age 62, when Livingston gave birth to their first son Charlie in 2015. They had another son, River, in 2017. Reflecting on his age when he became a father, Goldblum told iNews in 2018 that he is "glad" he waited.

"It feels great to do it right now, because all the things I'm considering are perfectly suited to the big questions and challenges of having kids, and what you want to expose them to," he explained. "What you want to leave them with, what life is, and what kind of life you contribute to them."

Sequels and Superhero Movies

The 2010s saw Goldblum return to his iconic characters — and rise to the occasion in new ones for Marvel films. In 2017, he portrayed the ageless Grandmaster (pictured) in Thor: Ragnarok alongside Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett and Tom Hiddleston, as well as in a credits scene for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. 

After 20 years, the Emmy-nominated actor reprised his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm for a cameo in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. He reunited with Jurassic Park costar Laura Dern in the following installment, Jurassic World Dominion.

Although Goldblum doesn't see a future for Ian Malcolm in the Jurassic universe, he believes the character has more relevance today than ever.

"There are things that my character talks about, has always talked about. The fragility of our species and the global cooperation that's needed, and the foundation in science that's needed, and the ethical use of science that's needed to unite us in trust and connectiveness as a family," he told PeopleTV's Couch Surfing in 2020.

Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra

With over 50 years of jazz piano experience, Goldblum released his first album in November 2018, a jazz record with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. The Capitol Studios Sessions spawned two more jazz LPs from Goldblum and the orchestra, 2019's I Shouldn't Be Telling You This and 2023's Plays Well with Others.

Jeff Goldblum's Recent Roles

From 2019 to 2022, the eccentric actor presented a Disney+ documentary series titled The World According to Jeff Goldblum, in which he covers various topics from video games to birthdays by talking to influencers and experts.

He recently led the short-lived Netflix comedy Kaos as Zeus, king of the Greek gods. Just over a month after Kaos' release, the streaming service announced that the series was canceled.

Goldblum plays another all-powerful character in the movie musical Wicked (pictured), costarring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Michelle Yeoh.