Bill Irwin began as a vaudeville-style stage performer and has been noted for his contribution to the renaissance of American circus during the 1970s.
25 Facts About Bill Irwin
2.
In 1979, Bill Irwin left the company to pursue stage work.
3.
Bill Irwin has created several highly regarded stage shows that incorporate elements of clowning, often in collaboration with composer Doug Skinner.
4.
Mr Fox is a production that Bill Irwin has worked on for years, a biography of 19th century clown George Washington Lafayette Fox that has autobiographical elements.
5.
Old Hats was revived in New York City in 2016, with Shiner and Bill Irwin returning and a new third performer, musician Shaina Taub, performing with her band between the sketches.
6.
Bill Irwin adapted Moliere's play Les Fourberies de Scapin as a comedy called Scapin, and has played the title role in several productions.
7.
Bill Irwin appeared in the play at the off-Broadway Roundabout Theatre Company Laura Pels Theatre in January through March 1997, after performing in the play at the Seattle Rep.
8.
Bill Irwin's adaptation allowed him to incorporate his signature clowning routines into the course of the action.
9.
In 1996, Bill Irwin performed with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps at the 1996 Summer Olympics, in a "band on the run" sequence where he played Dr Hubert Peterson of the fictitious Federation of United Marching Associations of America.
10.
Bill Irwin appeared with Steve Martin and Robin Williams in the Lincoln Center Off-Broadway production of Waiting for Godot, in 1988, in the role of Lucky.
11.
Bill Irwin directed the 1998 Roundabout Theatre Company production of A Flea in Her Ear.
12.
Bill Irwin played Vladimir in the 2009 Broadway revival of Waiting for Godot, and Mr McAfee in the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie.
13.
Bill Irwin's first featured film role was in 1980, appearing as Harold Hamgravy in Robert Altman's Popeye starring Robin Williams.
14.
Bill Irwin has appeared in over 20 films, mainly in supporting roles.
15.
In 2006, Irwin played the solitary Mr Leeds in M Night Shyamalan's Lady in the Water and had a small role as Uncle Teddy in 2007's Across the Universe.
16.
Bill Irwin received critical acclaim for his role as Paul, father to Anne Hathaway's character Kym, in the 2008 drama Rachel Getting Married.
17.
Bill Irwin was featured in the 1988 music video of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin and the 1996 music video of "Let Me into Your Heart" by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
18.
In 2011, Bill Irwin guest starred in the pilot episode of the CBS television drama A Gifted Man.
19.
Bill Irwin starred in the 2013 medical drama TNT television series, Monday Mornings as Buck Tierney.
20.
Bill Irwin is featured in the PBS series Great Performances, in the episode titled "Bill Irwin, Clown Prince", initially broadcast in December 2004.
21.
Bill Irwin appeared on the television series Sleepy Hollow, playing the character of Atticus Nevins.
22.
In 2022, Bill Irwin guest starred on The Gilded Age on HBO.
23.
Bill Irwin is married to Martha Roth, an "actress-turned-nurse midwife", whom he met while seeking treatment for a stiff neck.
24.
Bill Irwin was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Choreographer's Fellowship in 1981 and 1983.
25.
Bill Irwin received a 2008 CFCA Award nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in Rachel Getting Married.