Lyle Kanouse was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from Castleberry High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Wesleyan University, where he would later receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1998. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Science in Education degree from Indiana University.
Lyle's professional career began as a college administrator and teacher at Miami University in Ohio. He made his film debut in the 1983 movie "Tough Enough" and his television debut on the popular show "Dallas" in 1978. He also made his Broadway debut in the 1981 production of "The Miser", followed by roles in "Chaplin" in 1983, "City of Angels" in 1990, and "Big River" in 2003, for which he received a Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theatre.
Throughout his career, Lyle has appeared in numerous national tours of Broadway shows, including "Fiddler on the Roof" from 1978 to 1979, "South Pacific" in 1979, "1776" in 1980, "Oklahoma!" from 1980 to 1981, "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1985, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" from 1989 to 1990, "Chess" from 1990 to 1991, "City of Angels" in 1992, and "Guys and Dolls" from 1992 to 1994.
Lyle has also had a number of exciting and unconventional experiences, including wrestling a 400-pound black bear, fighting a bull in Mexico, playing in 11 Softball World Series, including two World Champion Softball teams, and even having a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys. He shares homes in Texas and Hollywood, California, with his wife, actress Audrey Wasilewski.
Recent credits include playing opposite Annette Bening, Alfred Molina, and Frances Fisher in "The Cherry Orchard" at The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from December 27, 2005 to March 19, 2006. He has also appeared in the revival of "Purlie" opposite Loretta Devine at the Pasadena Playhouse and the Goodman Theatre-Chicago, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. In 2004, Lyle played the role of patriarch H.C. Curry in the Pasadena Playhouse Production of "110 In The Shade" opposite Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Tom Wilson, and Adam Wiley, directed by "Frasier" creator David Lee.
