Dwight Yoakam

DWIGHT YOAKAM

Date of Birth: October 23, 1956

Born in Pikeville, Kentucky, Yoakam was the eldest of three children and spent most of his childhood in Ohio after his family moved there when he was two. Although music was always a part of his life, he participated in school plays throughout high school. He attended Ohio State University to study philosophy and history before the draw of his music became too great and he left for Nashville to seek his fortune.

But Nashville didn't welcome his country music with open arms, so he decided to move to L.A. where he worked as a truck driver and played with a number of bands. In 1984 he released his first mini-album financed by his own pocket. It caught the ear of Warner/Reprise Records and he was quickly signed with the record company. The move proved to be a prolific one as throughout the next 15 years he released over 10 albums and became one of the hottest country stars, as well as one of country music's biggest influences.

With his music career well underway, Yoakam turned to his second love—acting. Starting with a few guest spots on television shows like P.S.I Luv U, The Dennis Miller Show and NYPD Blue, he went on to land small roles in features like Red Rock West (1992) and The Little Death (1995), as well as in telefilms like Roswell and Don't Look Back.

He landed his first starring role in the feature film, Sling Blade (1996). His performance as the evil Doyle Hargraves left audiences speechless and critics hailing his acting. He went on to perform in other feature films such as The Newton Boys (1998), The Minus Man (1999) and The Panic Room (2002).

Often seen walking down the red carpet with a starlet hanging on his arm, Yoakam has had a number of famous girlfriends including Sharon Stone, Karen Duffy and Bridget Fonda.

Filmography:

Land of Canaan (2009)
The Last Rites of Ransom Pride (2009)
Crank 2: High Voltage (2009)
2:13 (2008)
Four Christmases (2008)
Crank (2006)
Bandidas (2006)
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2006)
Wedding Crashers (2005)
3-Way (2004)
Hollywood Homicide (2003)
Panic Room (2002)
South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000)
The Minus Man (1999)
Ozzie and Harriet: The Adventures of America's Favorite Family (1998)
The Newton Boys (1998)
Painted Hero (1996)
Sling Blade (1996)
The Little Death (1995)
Red Rock West (1992)