Wayne Knight, a renowned actor, is best known for his iconic portrayal of the high-strung mailman, "Newman", in the beloved television series Seinfeld, which premiered in 1989. His impressive filmography also includes notable roles in Jurassic Park, as "Dennis Nedry", and the provocative Basic Instinct, where he delivered one of the most memorable scenes in American cinematic history alongside Sharon Stone.
Born Wayne Eliot Knight, he hails from a mixed heritage of Italian and English descent. Knight's early life was marked by his upbringing in Cartersville, Georgia, where he resided until attending the University of Georgia in 1972. Despite his academic prowess, he left school to join the Barter Theatre company in Abingdon, Virginia, before ultimately earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2008.
Knight's professional journey began with an internship at the Barter Theatre, which led to his being hired as a company member and earning his Equity card. He made his Broadway debut at the age of 23 in the long-running comedy "Gemini" in 1979. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a versatile character actor, appearing in numerous television series, films, stage productions, and animated projects, including Dirty Dancing and JFK.
In more recent years, Knight has appeared in the original sitcom The Exes, playing the lovable homebody "Haskell Lutz" who shares an apartment with his friends "Phil" and "Stuart", and is conveniently located across the hall from his divorce attorney, "Holly".
