Wayne Knight

Wayne Eliot Knight (born August 7, 1955) is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor best known for his role as Newman in the TV sitcom Seinfeld. His other prominent roles include Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park, Stan Podolak in Space Jam, Al McWhiggin in Toy Story 2, Tantor in Tarzan, Don Orville in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Zack Mallozzi in Rat Race, Mr. Blik in Catscratch, and Haskell Lutz in The Exes. --- Knight was born in New York City, New York on August 7, 1955, the son of William "Bill" Knight, a textile factory supervisor, and his wife. His father moved the family to Cartersville, Georgia, where he worked in the textile industry. Knight went to local schools and was a lineman on his high school's football team. He was an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, but was never the mascot for the Bulldogs. Although an honor student, Knight left college when still one credit shy of a degree to pursue his acting career. He gained an internship at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, which produced repertory works year-round. After an internship, he joined the company and gained standing as an Equity actor, leaving to go to New York City. Two years later, he had his first role on Broadway. Knight has had prominent film roles, such as in JFK (1991), directed by Oliver Stone, and in Basic Instinct (1992), where he took part in a notable interrogation scene. He was the first person to be cast in Jurassic Park after the director Steven Spielberg saw him in the scene. Knight was cast as the bumbling overweight In Gen Corporation's chief programmer for the park and spy for Biosyn, Dennis Nedry. He also appeared in Dead Again, To Die For, Space Jam and Dirty Dancing. --- Knight is a Democrat and attended the 2012 Democratic National Convention in support of President Obama's re-election.