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Simon Baker (1)

A Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actor, Australian-born SIMON BAKER has an impressive background that spans both film and television, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide. Baker can currently be seen playing ‘Patrick Jane' in the hugely popular series THE MENTALIST on CBS. Now shooting its 3rd season, Baker plays a former ‘psychic' scam artist who now uses his gifts of human observation to help the California Bureau of Investigation. His performance has earned him both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Drama Series. THE MENTALIST is one of the networks highest rated shows, breaking viewing records right out of the gate.

Last year, Baker was seen in director Michael Winterbottom's THE KILLER INSIDE ME opposite Casey Affleck. Prior to this, Baker starred in the 20th Century Fox smash hit, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA opposite Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway; he also starred in SOMETHING NEW, a romantic comedy from Focus Features co-starring Sanaa Lathan.

Baker first gained attention in Curtis Hanson's Academy Award winning film LA CONFIDENTIAL opposite Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito. Other early roles for Baker include; AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE opposite Hilary Swank, RED PLANET opposite Val Kilmer, SUNSET STRIP opposite Anna Friel and Nick Stahl, SEX AND DEATH 101 costarring Wynona Ryder, and Ang Lee's critically acclaimed RIDE WITH THE DEVIL which screened at the 1999 Deauville Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival.

Other feature film credits include, Universal's LAND OF THE DEAD, George Romero's highly anticipated continuation of his famous zombie series, which co-starred Dennis Hopper and John Leguizamo, DreamWorks' horror sequel THE RING 2 opposite Naomi Watts and Sissy Spacek, and the independent feature film BOOK OF LOVE opposite Frances O'Connor, which screened in competition at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Baker starred in the highly rated, CBS drama THE GUARDIAN from 2001 to 2004. He portrayed a hardened corporate lawyer sentenced to work as a legal child advocate after being found guilty of drug possession. Baker's standout performance garnered him his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series. Other television credits include the critically acclaimed but short lived CBS series, SMITH, created by John Wells and also starring Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen.

Baker and producer Mark Johnson have acquired the screen rights to the award-winning novel BREATH written by Tim Winton, one of Australia's best-known and most celebrated novelists. Baker and Johnson will produce, and Simon will play one of the lead roles.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2011.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Simon Baker (1) Facts

OccupationActor
BirthdayJuly 30, 1969 (54)
SignLeo
BirthplaceLaunceton, Australia

Selected Filmography

Not available.