Kevin Connolly

Long Island, New York native Kevin Connolly broke into feature films and blockbuster television series roles by way of commercials; the fresh-faced star later recalled that he hawked every brand from Chips Ahoy! to Parker Brothers in front of the cameras during his early years. Cresting on this exposure, Connolly moved into bit roles in features during adolescence and gradually ascended to supporting billing. Projects in which he appeared included Rocky V (1990), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), Angus (1995), and John Q. (2002). Connolly received elevated attention courtesy of his well-received supporting turns as Slim in the Denzel Washington-directed psychological drama Antwone Fisher (2002) and Fin in the nostalgic romance The Notebook (2004), but achieved widespread acclaim with his portrayal of Eric Murphy, one of several young men enjoying the perks of Hollywood stardom, in the HBO comedy series Entourage. In 2008, Connolly signed for a supporting role opposite Drew Barrymore and Ben Affleck in the Ken Kwapis-directed romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You.

Connolly made his feature directorial debut with the 2007 black comedy The Gardener of Eden. Executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio (via his Appian Way shingle), it tells of a ne'er-do-well deli counter worker who sustains delusions of fighting crime after he saves a young woman from a serial rapist. - Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide