Wallace Shawn Biography
Wallace Shawn is an American Actor, Essayist, Playwright, and Screenwriter born and brought up in New York, New York, United States. He is known for voicing Rex in the Toy Story franchise (1995–present), playing Dr. John Sturgis in Young Sheldon (2018–2024), Mr. Hall in Clueless (1995), and Vizzini in The Princess Bride (1987).
Also, Shawn appeared in Vanya on 42nd Street (1994), My Favorite Martian (1999), The Double (2013), Maggie’s Plan (2015), The Bostonians (1984), Prick Up Your Ears (1987), Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills (1989), and Marriage Story (2019). He appeared in six Woody Allen films including Manhattan (1979), Radio Days (1987), and Rifkin’s Festival (2020).
10 Quick Facts About Wallace Shawn
Here is a list of 10 facts about Shawn
- Name: Wallace Shawn
- Age: 81 Years Old
- Birthday: November 12
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Height: 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor, Essayist, Playwright, and Screenwriter
- Marital Status: In a Relationship
- Salary: Not Available
- Net worth: $6 million
Wallace Shawn Age
Shawn is 81 years old, he was born on November 12, 1943, in New York, New York, United States. He celebrates his birthday on November 12 every year and his birth sign is Scorpio.
Wallace Shawn Height
Wallace Shawn stands at a height of 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m).
Wallace Shawn Weight
Shawn weighs 64 kg (140 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Born on November 12, 1943, in New York, New York, United States, Shawn grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. He joined ended The Putney School, a private liberal arts high school in Putney, Vermont. He also attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Harvard College.
Later, Shawn studied philosophy, politics, and economics, as well as Latin, at Magdalen College, Oxford, initially intending to become a diplomat. He toured India as an English teacher on a Fulbright program.
Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Moment
- Shawn gained fame in 1979 when he made his on-screen acting debut with a small role in director Woody Allen’s Manhattan, and his “second career” soon led to his first brush with international fame.
- He is also known for his character roles in such films as The Princess Bride, Clueless, and Annie Hall as well as his more serious turns in the films My Dinner with Andre and Vanya on 42th Street, but acting for him is something of a day job.
Major Achievements and Contributions
- He is known for playing Vizzini in The Princess Bride (1987), Mr. Hall in Clueless (1995), Dr. John Sturgis in Young Sheldon (2018–2024), and voicing Rex in the Toy Story franchise (1995–present).
- Shawn voiced his support for the Palestinian people during the 2014 Gaza War and has been on the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace.
- He has written many plays with socialist themes; much of his work analyzes the “connective tissue between private psychology and the politics of inequality”. He also recognizes himself as a socialist in the essay “Why I Call Myself a Socialist: Is the World Really a Stage?”, which was published online and later in his Essays.
- Shawn was also honored in 2005 with the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award as a Master American Dramatist.
Personal Life
Wallace Shawn Family, Parents
Shawn was born in New York, New York, United States to his parents journalist Cecille (née Lyon), mother, and William Shawn (father), the longtime editor of The New Yorker. His father’s family had relocated from Central Europe; his paternal grandfather, Benjamin W. Chon, was a Chicago-based cutlery merchant who married Anna Bransky.
Wallace Shawn Siblings
Shawn spent his childhood alongside his younger twin siblings: composer Allen Shawn (brother), and Mary (sister), who is autistic and lives in an institution.
Wallace Shawn Partner
Shawn is currently in a relationship with his longtime partner Deborah Eisenberg, an American short story writer, actress, and teacher. She is a professor of writing at Columbia University. The couple has lived for the past 40 years without getting married. Eisenberg refers to Shawn as “my boyfriend” and “my sweetheart.”
Wallace Shawn Children
Shawn has never had children of his own but takes pride in being a godfather to many, stating: “And I’ve never regretted that decision.
Wallace Shawn Net Worth
Wallace Shawn net worth is estimated at $6 million dollars. This includes his assets, money and income. His primary source of income is his career as a Actor, Essayist, Playwright, and Screenwriter. Through his various sources of income, Shawn has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts: Everything You Need to Know About Wallace Shawn
Here are some interesting facts you should know about Shawn.

Wallace Shawn Bio.
- Full Names: Wallace Michael Shawn
- Popular As: Wallace Shawn
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Actor, Essayist, Playwright, and Screenwriter
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Available
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Birthday
- Age: 81 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Date of Birth: November 12, 1943
- Place of Birth: New York, New York, United States
- Birthday: November 12
Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m)
- Weight: 64 kg (140 lbs)
- Eye Color: Blue
- Hair Color: Gray
- Shoe Size: Not Available
- Chest Size: Not Available
- Waist Size: Not Available
Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): William Shawn
- Mother: Cecille Shawn
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Allen Shawn, and Mary Shawn
- Marital Status: In a Relationship
- Spouse/Partner: Deborah Eisenberg
- Dating / Girlfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: None
Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $6 million
- Salary: Not Available
- Source of Income: Actor, Essayist, Playwright, and Screenwriter
The Princess Bride
Shawn starred as Vizzini in The Princess Bride. The Princess Bride was a 1987 American fantasy adventure comedy film directed and co-produced by Rob Reiner and starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, and Robin Wright.
Characters
- Cyrus Rose
- Vizzini
- Gilbert Huph
- Father Frank Ignatius
- Principal Crosby Strickler
- Principal Mazur
- Gary the Gadget Guy
Contacts
- Youtube
- Website
- Tiktok
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